What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding or tooth bonding, uses the same tooth coloured composite resin found in composite fillings to reshape and repair teeth. If a tooth is chipped, cracked or broken, it can be built back up with composite resin through a process called bonded restoration. This cosmetic dentistry repair restores the tooth to a natural, like new look and holds up well over time with routine care. Bonding is also a popular smile makeover option for patients in Toronto looking to improve the appearance of their smile without more invasive treatment. It can reshape uneven teeth, correct discolouration and close small gaps, often without the need for veneers or orthodontics.
How Does Dental Bonding Compare to Veneers and Orthodontics?
There are many different options available for restoring your teeth or achieving your dream smile, from composite bonding to porcelain veneers to veneers or orthodontics. The right choice for you will depend on your specific needs, budget and goals. During your appointment, we would be happy to walk through all of your options and the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision. That being said, here are some of the benefits of tooth bonding compared to other cosmetic treatments:
Quick and painless
With fillings or dental veneers, some drilling is usually required to prepare the tooth for treatment. This is rarely the case with composite bonding. Very little, if any, of your natural tooth structure has to be removed in preparation, which means the tooth bonding procedure is almost always painless and minimally invasive.
Affordable cosmetic dentistry option
More extensive treatments such as dental veneers and orthodontics come with a higher price tag, and for good reason. More extensive and dramatic changes call for a personalized treatment plan of greater complexity. However, for minor changes to a few teeth, dental bonding is one of the most affordable and cost-effective cosmetic dentistry options available.
Great for minor cosmetic repairs
If you’re picturing a full smile transformation, bonding alone probably won’t get you there. In those cases, a more comprehensive cosmetic dentistry plan involving dental veneers, crowns or orthodontics will give you the dramatic results you want. But for a chipped edge, a slight gap or a tooth that looks a little off, composite bonding gets the job done in a single visit.
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
Whether you’re getting dental bonding to restore a damaged tooth or purely for cosmetic reasons, the composite bonding process is essentially the same. Here’s what you can expect at your dental bonding appointment:
Preparing the tooth
First, your neighbouring teeth are protected with a thin film of plastic called a dental matrix. This matrix is slipped between your teeth and shields the adjacent tooth from any stray etching gel or composite resin during the bonding procedure. Next, your dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth, then apply a mildly acidic etching gel for a few seconds. This step gives the enamel a bit of texture so the composite resin has something to grip.
Applying the composite resin
Once the etching gel is rinsed away and the tooth is dried once more, the composite resin is applied. Your dentist will select a tooth coloured resin that matches your natural teeth for a seamless, natural-looking finish. The resin is applied in thin layers, and a special curing light hardens each layer as it’s built up, giving the bonded tooth maximum strength and long lasting durability.
Finishing touches
Once your bite has been checked, your dental bonding procedure is complete. As a finishing touch, your dentist polishes the tooth until it blends right in with the rest of your smile. Your bonded tooth will look natural and healthy, so much so that you may forget which tooth was ever repaired. We’ll make a note in your chart, and at future exams, your dentist will keep a close watch on the bonded tooth for any signs of wear.
How Much Does a Dental Bonding Cost in Toronto?
Dental bonding is used for such a wide range of cosmetic and restorative reasons that it’s tough to give a ballpark estimate without learning more about your needs and examining your teeth first. That said, on average, dental bonding cost typically runs between $300 and $600 or more per tooth without insurance. Most dental insurance plans will cover bonding, especially when it’s needed to restore a broken or damaged tooth. With insurance, you can expect to pay somewhere around $60 to $120 out of pocket per tooth.
When we’re calculating the cost of your dental bonding treatment, we look at a few key factors:
- How many teeth need composite bonding
- Whether any new x-rays are required
- How much composite resin is needed to complete the treatment
- Where the affected teeth are located in your mouth
- Your current overall oral health
Remember, no dentist can give you an accurate quote over the phone. After an in person examination, we’ll be happy to provide you with an accurate quote so you can find out your final cost and make an informed decision about your treatment.
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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.
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