Dental Bonding 101: Everything You Need to Know

Dental bonding Jackson MI cosmetic dentists

Fixing imperfections in your smile has never been easier thanks to dental bonding. All our Jackson, MI, cosmetic dentists need to do is prepare teeth, apply tooth-colored composite resin, mold it to the desired shape, and cure the material so it properly adheres to the tooth’s surface.

Here’s more about the dental bonding procedure, key benefits, and how it compares to other cosmetic treatments.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Earning its name from the ability of the composite resin to literally bond to a tooth, dental bonding is one of the quicker cosmetic procedures out there. As mentioned above, the entire process involves minimal tooth preparation, application of tooth-colored material, sculpting, hardening, and polishing for a beautiful result.

Smaller smile restorations are best served by bonding and should be cosmetic in nature. If you have a tooth that is more severely damaged, our dentists will need to turn to a restorative form of treatment like dental crowns. The decision to move forward with dental bonding will ultimately come down to the state of your tooth.

For example, a cracked tooth can be remedied by dental bonding or the damage could be extensive enough that it demands more protection. Our dentists will let you know what they feel is best for your smile in terms of functionality and appearance.

Benefits & Advantages of Dental Bonding

Every dental procedure has its own set of benefits that make it worth the effort for patients. Teeth bonding is no different and promises several positive takeaways. One of which is the low time commitment compared to other similar treatments.

Depending on how many teeth are being bonded, it can take our dentists anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, require multiple visits to our Jackson, MI, dental office to complete everything.

Choosing dental bonding also means:

  • An easy and fast procedure
  • A seamless solution for cracked, gapped, chipped, misshapen, or discolored teeth
  • Much less tooth enamel (if any) removed
  • A less expensive price tag
  • No numbing or anesthesia needed

Dental Bonding vs. Veneers

The biggest difference between cosmetic bonding and veneers is that the latter cannot be reversed. That’s right, once porcelain veneers are applied by our dentists, your teeth can’t really be restored to their original state. This is largely due to the inability of tooth enamel to grow back on its own.

The goal of cosmetic bonding is to be minimally invasive. Many patients appreciate that the results are not dramatic and the process is perfect for minor repairs. No outside dental lab is needed for bonding either. Our dentists have the composite resin already available which is what helps the treatment be completed in just one visit.

Veneers may be right for you if you have a whole row of front-facing teeth you’d like to see transformed. Bonding can also restore multiple teeth at a time but is fastest when there’s one or two in question. Because it’s used for fillings as well, composite resin is great for withstanding the chewing forces of back teeth.

Ask Us About the Procedure Today

Having a chipped or cracked tooth doesn’t always mean you have to get veneers. Our cosmetic dentists in Jackson, MI, can recommend dental bonding to you as a less intensive option. Call The Dental Experience today at (517) 787-5367 to request an appointment and learn more about how we can help your smile.