Dental Bonding

What is dental bonding?

When your teeth suffer from small chipping or spacing problems or even discoloration, our dentist may advise you of dental bonding as a procedure to solve the problem. It is a process which involves the use of a tooth-colored resin which bonds with your teeth to address a variety of dental problems. The resin used in dental bonding, easily sticks to different materials like your tooth enamel, dentin, metal, porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia.
It works like an adhesive and sticks to the rest of your tooth, making a chipped tooth look whole again. Similarly, it can be used for a crooked or misaligned tooth to give the tooth an appearance of being of the right size or shape.

Dental Problems Solved by Dental Bonding

Minor chips

A chipped tooth can be easily fixed with the help of dental bonding making it easy for you to retain your natural smile.

Unproportioned tooth size

Sometimes, a tooth may be relatively smaller than the rest of your teeth. If you feel unconfident about your smile, then dental bonding can solve the problem.

Poorly aligned teeth

Misaligned teeth can be made to appear properly aligned with the help of dental bonding giving your teeth a more natural look and feel.

Improper teeth spacing

Resin can be used for filling up spaces between your teeth. The procedure helps you get a set of teeth that looks greatly spaced.

Discoloration

Sometimes teeth whitening procedures may not be able to fully restore the natural color of your teeth. So dental bonding can be used for fixing this problem.

Dental Bonding Procedure

Dental visit

All dental procedures begin with a visit. Our caring dentists will identify the problem and the possible solutions for fixing this problem. If dental bonding is seen as an appropriate solution, our dentist will check your teeth for decay and its suitability for dental bonding. Once it is agreed that dental bonding can be used for your teeth then another appointment may be fixed according to your convenience, or it can be carried out on the same visit.

Choosing the right shade of bonding agent

The next step is to choose a shade of bonding agent, which can match your current set of teeth. We try to look for a shade as close to your natural teeth. This way, your smile will appear natural. Our experienced dentists will help you choose the shade if you are unsure which one will be fit for your teeth.

Preparing your teeth

The process of dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure in which the dentist will roughen the surface of your tooth on which the procedure has to be carried out. This is also known as abrading or etching the surface of your teeth. It is mainly a painless procedure unless you have sensitive teeth.

Applying the bonding material

Then a liquid is applied to enable the resin to easily stick to your tooth. Once the resin is applied to your tooth, the dentist will work on the shape of the resin to ensure it looks natural and blends in with the rest of your teeth. For the final step, the resin will be hardened with the help of an ultraviolet light. In some cases, if the dentist finds it necessary, then they may work a little more on the shape of the tooth before your procedure is complete.

The entire procedure would take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.

How much does dental bonding cost in Blackburn, Melbourne?

The cost of dental bonding in Blackburn can range from approximately $300 to $600 per tooth. Our dentist will be able to share a ballpoint figure. The benefit of finding that is to be able to provide a customized dental treatment plan after a thorough analysis of the tooth/teeth that requires dental bonding.

Should I choose dental bonding or porcelain veneers?

A lot of our clients ask us how dental bonding would be different from porcelain veneers and which one would be more suitable to solve their dental problems. So, if you have a similar doubt in your mind, here are a few differences in the two procedures that can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Time taken

Both are cosmetic procedures designed to improve the aesthetics of your smile. While dental bonding is carried out in a single procedure following the steps mentioned above, porcelain veneers are a longer process. This is mostly because the veneers are customized to match and fit your set of teeth.

Dental problems they solve

Dental bonding helps you fix small problems of the teeth like minor chipping, discoloration, and misalignment. Porcelain veneers can fix a wider range of aesthetic issues for your teeth including broken teeth or major chipping of teeth and severe discoloration.

Durability

Dental bonding lasts between 5 to 10 years. Porcelain veneers have a relatively higher lifespan which can go upwards of 10 years. The longevity of both procedures are subject to your food and chewing habits as well as habits of smoking and drinking alcohol.

Costs

Since dental bonding takes less time and is used for fixing minor problems, it will cost less than porcelain veneers.

How to take care of my teeth after dental bonding?

Bonded teeth have a simple care regime. Maintain good oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing them at least once a day, and visiting a dentist for regular checkups and cleaning. The only thing about dental bonding that you may have to be careful about is that the bonding material is susceptible to chipping. So, avoid habits which cause undue pressure on the bonding material like biting your food too hard with the bonded tooth, biting your fingernails, chewing pens, or eating ice and similar hard foods. It is also advisable to avoid using your bonded teeth to tear things open. Your bonded teeth can suffer staining as well. The consumption of tea, coffee, red wine, and other foods which can cause stains must be avoided, or their intake should be regulated. Smoking can also cause staining and reduce the overall life of your dental bonding. Since smoking can cause a series of health problems related, some of which can be dental problems, we advise patients to quit smoking.

What is Dental Filling?

Teeth that has worn down or have suffered decay can be treated with the help of dental filling. It strengthens the affected teeth restoring its look and minimizing the chances of bacteria to set in and cause further damage to your teeth. Fillings are usually made out of more 3-amalgam, gold and composite resin.
Because mercury poses a health risk and is not safe for the environment, our dentists recommend the use of resin and gold for dental filling. While resin fillings last between 5 to 7 years, gold fillings can last a long time since it does not corrode and can withstand chewing hard foods too. An advantage of resin fillings is that the resin can be chosen to match the colour of your teeth so you can enjoy a more natural smile. Gold or silver fillings stand out and can be clearly seen, especially if they are done for teeth in the visible part of your smile.

White Fillings Treatment in Blackburn, Melbourne

White fillings are also called composite fillings. By composition, they are a mixture of glass or quartz filler placed in a resin medium. Dentists for restorative work especially for front teeth prefer white fillings. Some of the advantages of white fillings are:

They are durable and resistant to fractures.
Less tooth structure needs to be removed when restoring with white fillings.
They can be bonded adhesively in a cavity, allowing a more conservative tooth repair.
They replace the metal alloy fillings, which may evoke allergies in some people.
They are moderate in cost.

Procedure of white fillings in Blackburn, Melbourne

1 Numbing

First of all your Blackburn dentist will apply a local anaesthetic to numb the teeth and hence make the procedure as comfortable as possible. In case of very little tooth reduction, the dentist may even choose not to apply any anaesthetic.

2 Cleaning

The filling does not bond to a tooth if its surface carries plaque, tartar, or any other material. Therefore, the dentist will remove this debris before bonding.

3 Colour Selection

Next, your dentist will choose the shade of the white filling that goes in harmony with your natural tooth colour.

4 Isolating the Tooth

The dentist needs to isolate the tooth under restoration for keeping it dry. In many cases, placing rolls of cotton next to the tooth under work does it. Sometimes, stretching a sheath of latex around the tooth brings about isolation.

5 Shaping the Tooth

Finally, the doctor, after restoration, will shape the tooth as required for the purpose of enhancement.

White Fillings for Back Teeth

White fillings in very large sections or as a large percentage of the the tooth, more than 50% are not recommended for a restoration of back teeth. The main reasons for this include:

How do I know that I need a dental filling?

If you have a dental problem which has created a cavity in your teeth then a filling may be recommended to strengthen your teeth. Our dentists will carefully check the affected tooth and the extent to which the damage has been done before they can decide whether a filling will be required or not. Sometimes, an X-Ray may be required as well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Dental Bonding last?

Dental bonding lasts anywhere between 5 to 10 years based on your chewing habits, the types of food you eat, and the type of teeth on which the procedure has been carried out. If you eat a lot of tough foods that require more chewing then the bonding will suffer more wear and tear and may require touch-ups after the first 5 or 6 years.

Is dental bonding in Blackburn painful?

For most patients, dental bonding is a relatively painless process. But if you suffer from dental anxiety or you are afraid of pain then we can consider sleep dentistry to help you sleep through the procedure so you will not have to worry about pain or anxiety at all. In some cases, we may consider local anesthesia, like when your teeth are very sensitive or when the bonding material is being used for filling a cavity.

Are veneers better than dental bonding for a chipped tooth?

Veneers are a good solution if you want something more durable and less susceptible to staining. But this does not mean that veneers do not require maintenance. They have almost the same guidelines for maintenance as bonded teeth.

Are there any risks with dental bonding?

There aren’t many risks associated with dental bonding. Good oral care and proper dental hygiene manage to keep most problems at bay. You may, however, have to be more careful when it comes to biting down too hard with your bonded teeth.

Are there chances of tooth decay with dental bonding?

If your dental bonding procedure is intended for a decaying tooth, then our dentists will first remove all decaying material from the surface of the tooth. They take a lot of care to ensure that the tooth is free of decay before they begin with dental bonding. This reduces the risk of tooth decay and with good dental care, you can further minimize the risks of decay.

Is the UV light used for hardening the resin in dental bonding safe?

You will be safe in the hands of our caring dentists who understand your anxiety about the use of UV light. The process involves a highly controlled use of UV light and the area is exposed to the light for a very short time. Our procedures follow industry standards and safety regulations.

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