You might think of small chips and cracks in your teeth as more of a cosmetic concern, but they can also impact your oral health. For instance, once the structure of your tooth has been compromised, bacteria in your mouth can penetrate your enamel more easily to cause cavities.
Your dentist can mend minor issues with dental bonding, but many patients want to know whether the repair is permanent before they commit. Continue reading to learn more about this popular procedure and how long the results usually last!
What Is Dental Bonding?
Your dentist uses this method to fix minor imperfections in your grin, like cracks, chips, stubborn stains, or misshapen teeth. This both enhances your appearance and prevents potential problems like additional damage or decay.
First, they’ll apply a putty-like composite resin directly to your enamel, which is color-matched to your natural hue for seamless results. They’ll shape the material into the ideal shape and then harden it in place with a special ultraviolet curing light. The outcome is a lifelike restoration that improves your dental health and the way you look.
Is Dental Bonding Permanent?
This treatment bonds to your enamel and can’t be removed except with the help of a dentist, but it doesn’t usually last forever. The durable material is made from tiny particles of plastic and glass to give it both strength and translucency so it reflects light like enamel, but it’s not as hard as your natural teeth.
Depending on your unique circumstances, dental bonding can last for up to 5 to 10+ years but will likely require replacement at some point. Because of this, it’s often considered a long-lasting solution rather than a permanent one.
How Can I Maintain My Dental Bonding?
Fortunately, there are several proactive ways you can maintain your restoration to extend its longevity. Some tips for preserving your treatment results include:
- Watch what you eat. Snacking on overly hard or sticky foods can potentially chip, crack, or dislodge the repair. Also, avoid common culprits that stain, like coffee, tea, and red wine.
- Don’t smoke. Using tobacco products can stain your dental bonding or interfere with the integrity of the material by eroding it over time.
- Safeguard your smile. If you unconsciously grind your teeth at night or participate in high-contact sports, ask your dentist for a custom-fitted nightguard or mouthguard to shield your them from harm.
- Implement a routine. You should brush and floss twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and injuries.
Also, seeing your dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning every 6 months allows them to monitor your condition so they can catch and address any problems, like damaged dental bonding, before it worsens!
About the Practice
Patients at Goodman Dental Care benefit from a father-and-son dynamic dental duo who enjoy helping local families improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. Drs. Gary and Jeremy Goodman share decades of combined experience providing a complete array of services conveniently under one roof, including dental bonding. They take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns so they can tailor treatment plans to meet them. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (410) 263-1919.