How Long Does Dental Bonding Take to Heal? Do Bonded Teeth Break Easily?

What Is Dental Bonding?

It is a cosmetic dental procedure in which a dentist applies a tooth-colored resin material to the teeth to improve their appearance. Dental bonding in Petaluma is often a treatment protocol for repairing various imperfections on teeth, including:

1. Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
2. Fill gaps between teeth – if you have not lost any natural teeth, composite bonding can help close the spaces in your mouth. However, the spaces must be about 5mm or less for the composite to be effective. Any wider gaps would necessitate a different treatment protocol.
3. Misplaced midline – although orthodontics is an incredible way to improve teeth alignment, it is not the only way. Cosmetic dentists at Petaluma Dental Group can improve your midline positioning using composite bonding.
4. Improve the color of stained or discolored teeth – if you do not want to undergo professional enamel bleaching treatments, you can opt for composite bonding to mask the underlying stains on your teeth.
5. Change the shapes of pointy, rounded, or oddly short teeth – cosmetic dentists use composite bonding for teeth contouring to advance teeth’ shapes.

How Long Does Dental Bonding Take to Heal?

After your dental bonding treatment, there is zero downtime necessary for the composite to bond perfectly with your teeth. The initial composite bonding procedure takes about 45 minutes in the dental clinic. Usually, dentists will employ lasers to harden the composite material, strengthening the bond with the natural tooth structure. However, your mouth may feel different with an uneven bite and some slight tooth sensitivity. It just takes a little more time for the composite bonding to settle well in your mouth.

Do Bonded Teeth Break Easily?

The brief answer is yes. A cosmetic dentist in Petaluma will tell you in advance to care tenderly for your composite teeth because they are not as sturdy as porcelain teeth.

The Lifespan of Dental Bonding

Generally, bonded teeth can last between 5 and 7 years. Some patients have had their composite teeth longer than 10 years, specifically due to incredible dental care measures.

Dental Bonding Aftercare

After your dental bonding near you, you must be intentional with dental care measures, particularly if you want your composites to last long. The basics of dental bonding aftercare are:

1. Keep your mouth clean
2. Watch what you eat
3. Seek treatment for underlying oral problems
4. Abandon poor oral habits
5. Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

What to Avoid with Bonded Teeth?

Some practices and habits can damage or stain your natural teeth and the composite bonding material. They include the following:

1. Hard or sticky foods – eating hard foods, such as ice or hard candy, can break your bonded teeth. Sticky foods, like caramels, taffy, or chewing gum will stick and potentially pull off the bonding material.
2. Teeth grinding – can cause the bonding material to wear down or crack. If you grind your teeth, consider wearing a night guard to protect your bonded teeth while you sleep.
3. Using your teeth as tools – teeth are never to be used as tools for opening packages and cans or biting your nails. Such habits can cause the bonding material to chip or break.
4. Smoking and drinking – smoking stains both your natural teeth and the bonding material.
5. Dark-colored beverages – drinking coffee, tea, or red wine can also cause discoloration to bonded teeth. Limit your consumption of these substances or use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
6. Poor oral hygiene – a clean mouth is paramount to prevent decay or gum disease that can compromise the bonding material. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.

Summary

All you need to keep your smile beautiful with composite bonding is to exercise a little care after your treatment. The basic measures of avoiding some poor oral habits will go a long way to ensure longevity and the great appearance of your bonded teeth. Talk to your dentist if you have any concerns about your bonded teeth.