Composite bonding is a popular dental treatment that is used to fix minor dental problems. It is a quick, easy, and affordable alternative to other treatments like veneers or crowns. But how long does it last?
Composite bonding is a modern method of tooth restoration, either for aesthetic reasons or to repair, enhancing the structure of teeth that have been lost. It needs a tooth-colored resin material onto existing teeth to rebuild them or change their color. It can last for five years on average.
Continue reading if you’re interested in composite bonding and want to discover if it’s appropriate for you. We’ll discuss what composite bonding is, how it works, and what the benefits are.
Composite Bonding: What You Should Know
Composite bonding is used to help fix chips, cracks, stains, or other cosmetic problems like unevenness or gaps in teeth. Composite bonding can be done at any age because it does not harm the tooth beneath it; in fact, composite bonding often protects your tooth from further damage. Composite bonding can make a huge difference for people who are not happy with their smile – it can fill in gaps, make teeth appear straighter, and cover up stains. Composite bonding is a great option for people who want to improve their smile but don’t want to go through the hassle or expense of getting dental implants or veneers.
Composite bonding is not as strong as dental implants or veneers, so it’s important to avoid biting into hard objects with composite bonded teeth. Composite bonding is a great option for people who are looking for a quick, affordable way to improve their smile – and it often lasts much longer than traditional dental fillings. If you’re interested in composite bonding, talk to your dentist to see if it’s the right option for you. You may be surprised at the difference composite bonding can make.
How is Composite Resin Made?
Composite resins are polymeric materials used in dentistry for aesthetic restorations. They’re made by free radical polymerization, which involves the use of visible light to start the process. Monomers are dense, thick chemicals that react to form an organic matrix that is both hard and long-lasting in clinical use. The material is poured over one layer of aluminum, which was previously coated with a plastic called Bis-GMA. The material is mixed with light-reflective fillers such as silica and ceramic, as well as a photoinitiator that aids in the substance’s hardening when exposed to sunshine.
Is Composite Bonding Good for Teeth?
Composite bonding is good for your teeth. The composite resin is a putty-like composite substance that is tinted to match your teeth’ color. The composite material is molded over the teeth, cured with a high-intensity light, and smoothed and polished afterward. It can be used on teeth that have small cavities, aren’t broken all the way through, or are even slightly chipped. Additionally, it makes improvements to teeth that are discolored by applying composite material in stain colors. Composite bonding is extremely versatile and long-lasting.
What Should I Expect with Composite Bonding?
It’s crucial to remember that composite resin isn’t as robust as dental amalgam or gold fillings when contemplating composite bonding. However, it is still much stronger than enamel alone. Composite bonding has the advantage of being able to match the color of your teeth, making the repair less noticeable.
How Long Does Composite Bonding Take to Set?
Composite bonding (or composite filling) takes about half an hour for two teeth, but the whole process could take a full day if you have a lot of your teeth treated. If you want composite bonding done all at once, a temporary crown will be put on while the composite sets so that you won’t have to deal with any discomfort. If you have composite bonded teeth, wait a few minutes after drinking something hot or cold to avoid damaging them.
Who is a Good Candidate for Composite Bonding?
People who need minor repairs which do not compromise the integrity of the tooth structure also benefit from composite bonding. For example, composite bonding may be used to fix chips or cracks in teeth that do not pose a risk for further damage or decay if the composite filling was placed inside them instead. Patients with healthy teeth and gums who do not have any fillings in their front teeth are also good candidates for composite bonding.
This isn’t for everyone. If your smile is flawed as a consequence of an overbite or underbite, composite resin bonding will not be able to fix it. Invisalign straightening might provide a greater outcome in these situations. For those who want a more natural look to their teeth that are otherwise healthy and well-aligned, bonding is ideal.
What Should You Expect During the Composite Bonding Procedure?
Composite bonding is a quick and painless technique that may be done in just one visit to your dentist’s office. To prepare the tooth for the composite bonding material, the dentist will clean and roughen the surface. A resin is then applied to the tooth and composite materials of different colors are used to create a natural-looking repair. The composite materials are then set with a curing light, and the dentist will polish the tooth to complete the restoration.
What Should You Not Do After Composite Bonding?
- Your composite bonding should be completely dry before you eat or drink. If it’s not, you could end up with food or drink stuck in the composite, which will make it difficult to clean.
- You might also experience some pain and discomfort if you don’t let the composite bond set correctly.
- Avoiding coffee, tea, and soft drinks could also help you keep your composite looking new. These are stain-causing drinks, so they’ll make your composite look older if you drink them right after the procedure. Patiently wait for composite bonding to set before you indulge in these drinks.
- Biting your nails is a big no-no after composite bonding. You could end up damaging your composite and making it look worse.
- Refrain from biting ice, hard candy, and other objects that could damage your composite.
- After the composite bonding procedure, do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol until you’re sure your composite won’t be damaged by them. Alcohol is too harsh for composite bonding and it can cause discoloration. Rinse with water if you have to use mouthwash, but refrain from using it for at least 24 hours after composite bonding.
- You should also avoid smoking since resin used in composite bonding is highly sensitive to heat and chemicals found in smoke. Smokers may experience gums turning dark greyish-green because of this. This would just hurt the appearance of your composite significantly even more.
- To make sure your composite resin lasts as long as possible, avoid using your teeth to rip food packages or chewing on hard, sharp, and sticky foods that might crack the bonded material.
- After the treatment, you should not drink any hot or cold drinks for around 30 minutes. You can eat and drink normally, brush your teeth with toothpaste afterward, but avoid brushing the composite directly.
