Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a popular dental procedure that can help improve the appearance of a slightly damaged or discolored tooth. It involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the surface of the tooth and then shaping and polishing it to match the surrounding teeth. While dental bonding can be an effective and affordable technique to improve your smile, it is important to consider its pros and cons before deciding if it is the right option for your needs.

Pros of dental bonding

Versatility

Dental bonding can address a variety of cosmetic dental concerns. Dentists can use this treatment method to:

• Repair chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged teeth
• Camouflage tooth discoloration
• Reshape uneven edges
• Cover exposed tooth roots
• Close small gaps between teeth

This versatility makes dental bonding a popular choice for many patients seeking minor smile improvements.

Natural-looking results

The material used in dental bonding is tooth-colored resin. This means that it is designed to blend in with the patient's natural surrounding teeth and does not indicate that a repair was made. This way, the bonding material is placed solely in the treatment area without covering the entire tooth.

Minimally-invasive

In other restoration procedures like dental crowns or veneers, the dentist will need to remove more of the enamel from the healthy part of the tooth. Once removed, the enamel cannot grow back, ultimately making crowns and veneers more invasive. In contrast, the dentist only needs to slightly roughen the structure of the tooth where the material needs to be applied.

Same-day placement

Patients who chip or crack their teeth will likely need to have their teeth repaired immediately. Same-day repairs can help prevent tooth infections and discomfort in the future. Dental bonding offers a same-day placement, restoring the structure of the patient's tooth and allowing them to return to their routine immediately after their appointment.

Easy care and maintenance

Dental bonding does not require special care and maintenance. Patients can brush and floss as they normally would. Dental bonding material can sustain everyday wear and tear similarly to natural teeth. Additionally, visiting the dentist at least twice a year can increase the longevity of the dental bonding results.

Cons of dental dental bonding

Durability

While dental bonding provides minimally invasive and immediate results, the bonded resin material is not as durable as natural tooth enamel or stronger restorative materials like porcelain. Over time, the bonding material may chip, crack, or stain. On average, dental bonding will need to be replaced every ten years.

Staining

Unlike dental veneers or crowns, the resin used in dental bonding is more prone to staining from certain foods, beverages, and habits like smoking. In order to maintain the appearance of their bonded teeth, patients may need to avoid or limit their consumption of staining agents such as coffee, tea, and red wine.

Not suitable for all cases

While dental bonding is a versatile treatment method, it may not be an effective treatment for patients with more severe dental issues or who need significant structural changes to their teeth. In such cases, other restorative treatments like dental crowns may be appropriate.