What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses a composite resin, much like what’s used for fillings, to reshape and repair teeth. It’s a great option for fixing chips, cracks, or breaks, restoring your tooth to look almost brand new. With proper care, the results can last for years. Dental bonding can also enhance your smile by reshaping teeth, correcting discolouration, and closing gaps—making it a simpler alternative to veneers or braces.
How Does Dental Bonding Compare to Other Options?
There are several ways to restore your teeth or enhance your smile, and the best option will depend on your specific needs. During your appointment, we’ll discuss all possible treatments, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you make an informed choice. Dental bonding stands out for being a quick, minimally invasive solution.
Quick and Painless
Unlike fillings or dental veneers that often require drilling, dental bonding usually needs minimal preparation, with little to no removal of the natural tooth, making the procedure nearly painless.
Low Upfront Cost
Compared to more complex and expensive treatments like veneers or orthodontics, dental bonding is a budget-friendly choice for minor changes. It’s a cost-effective way to fix small imperfections in your smile.
Great for Small Repairs
Dental bonding is a quick and effective solution for minor changes. However, if you’re aiming for more significant smile enhancements, veneers, crowns, or orthodontics may be a better choice.
The Dental Bonding Process
Whether you’re getting dental bonding to restore a tooth or improve its appearance, the process is the same. Here’s what to expect:
Preparing the Tooth
First, a thin plastic film called a dental matrix is placed between your teeth to protect the neighbouring teeth from any gel or resin. Your dentist will then clean and dry the tooth, applying a mild acidic gel to create a rough surface, which helps the bonding material stick properly.
Applying the Composite Resin
Once the acidic gel is removed and the tooth is dried, the composite resin is applied. The dentist selects a shade that matches your natural teeth for a seamless look. The resin is added in layers, and a special blue light is used to cure each layer for optimal strength and durability.
Finishing Touches
After ensuring your bite feels comfortable, the dental bonding is complete. Your dentist will give the tooth a final polish, leaving it looking natural and beautiful. It may blend in so well that you forget which tooth was repaired. The dentist will make a note in your chart and pay special attention to the bonded tooth during future exams to monitor for any wear.
Cost of Dental Bonding in Kanata
Dental bonding serves a variety of purposes, so it’s challenging to provide a precise cost without understanding your needs and examining your teeth. Generally, the cost ranges from around $300 to $600 or more per tooth without insurance. However, many insurance plans cover dental bonding, especially for restoring damaged teeth, reducing your out-of-pocket expense to approximately $60 to $120 per tooth.
When determining the cost of your dental bonding treatment, we consider several important factors:
- The number of teeth that need bonding.
- Whether new X-rays are required.
- The amount of composite resin needed for the treatment.
- The location of the teeth in your mouth.
- Your overall oral health condition.
Remember, an accurate quote can’t be given over the phone. After an examination, we can provide a precise in-person quote so you can understand your final costs and make an informed decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental bonding can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years or more, depending on where it’s placed, your eating habits, and how well you care for your teeth. If your dentist notices any wear during checkups, they can easily apply more resin to keep it strong.
While it’s not a permanent solution, dental bonding can last over a decade with proper care, good eating habits, and regular dental visits. If it shows signs of wear, your dentist can strengthen it with an extra layer of resin.
It depends on what you’re looking for. Veneers are great for more dramatic changes and tend to last longer, making them a good long-term option. On the other hand, bonding is more affordable for minor tweaks and less invasive since it preserves more of your natural tooth.
No, bonding doesn’t damage your teeth—it actually keeps your natural tooth mostly intact underneath. While the bonding material might chip over time, it can be easily repaired. One thing to keep in mind is that bonding doesn’t respond to teeth whitening, so you might want to whiten your teeth beforehand or replace the bonding to match later on. If durability is a concern, veneers or crowns are stronger options that tend to last longer.