Your smile is essential to your self-confidence and image, and making subtle cosmetic changes to tooth color and shape or filling gaps can make a big difference. Tooth bonding is a convenient and affordable option, whether you need a simple chip tooth fix or need to repair broken or cracked teeth. Here’s what to know about it.

How to Fix a Chipped Tooth: Options & Costs

What Is Teeth Bonding?

Teeth or dental bonding is one of a few cosmetic dental services that use different materials to fill in cracks, fix a chipped tooth, or enhance your teeth and smile. Your dentist can use teeth bonding for gaps between teeth and to change the shape, color, and length of your teeth. 

Dental bonding techniques are ideal for people who want a smile makeover, to transform minor flaws, or to fix broken teeth. It’s typically faster and more affordable than more complex or extensive procedures. 

How Does Teeth Bonding Work?

The process for teeth bonding is straightforward. In general, your dentist simply applies a material to your teeth and lets it harden to fill in the cracks and areas. The product creates a smooth surface and feels natural and comfortable, like your regular teeth. 

More specifically, the process is called direct composite. A resin composite is applied straight to the outer layer of your tooth. Once it’s on, your dentist shapes the material to create the desired look or hide any irregularities before curing and hardening. 

Benefits of Teeth Bonding

Dental bonding is a popular cosmetic dental procedure because it offers several key benefits, including a convenient and fast nonsurgical procedure with zero downtime. 

Repairs Damaged Teeth

Teething bonding is a cosmetic service that helps hide stains or fill gaps and cracks. However, it’s also used to fill cavities and protect teeth where the gum line is exposed, repairing and restoring damaged teeth. It’s one step in cavity treatment. 

Convenient and Fast Procedure

Dental bonding is quick, making it ideal for rapid changes without much downtime. It can be done in the clinic in one appointment in an hour or less, and you’re set to go with a beautiful new and enhanced smile. You might even be able to get it done before work or on a long lunch break.  

Non-Invasive

Dental bonding is also a non-invasive procedure. The treatment doesn’t involve major or complex techniques or steps. Crowns and some types of veneers, for example, require enamel removal and several appointments. Tooth bonding is quick and less involved, making it ideal for correcting minor flaws. 

Drawbacks of Teeth Bonding

All dental procedures need regular care and check-ups, but some last longer than others. While convenient and less involved than some treatments, dental bonding may chip and stain over time and need restoration. 

May Stain Over Time

Composite bonding isn’t as stain-resistant as other cosmetic procedures. Porcelain veneers, for instance, are a durable shell that fits over the front of your tooth. These contain minerals and other ingredients that resist stains. Resin composites contain glass and plastic and are more prone to stains, which may lead to discoloration over time. 

May Chip Over Time

Dental bonding also isn’t quite as strong as other procedures, like porcelain veneers. The resin materials can chip over time and be especially prone to damage from biting into chewy candies or hard and crunchy foods. 

What to Expect With Teeth Bonding For Gaps

Your dental bonding appointment has a few steps but is routine, whether you need to fix broken tooth or fill in gaps. The dentist will help you choose a shade that matches the rest of your teeth and apply a conditioner. 

Then, they’ll apply the composite, shape it, and use a UV light to cure it. Finally, once all the selected teeth are done, they’ll polish them for a healthy shine. The procedure doesn’t take long and is comfortable. 

Is Dental Bonding Painful?

Dental bonding generally doesn’t hurt. Bonding is a simple procedure where the material is placed on the surface of your teeth. It doesn’t involve drilling into sensitive tooth layers or near nerves, so it generally isn’t painful. In most cases, you won’t even need an anesthetic.

Some people may have minor sensitivity afterward, which will go away on its own. If necessary, you can take pain relievers from the pharmacy to help.   

How Long Does Bonding on Front Teeth Last?

Dental bonding also doesn’t last as long as other materials and cosmetic dental services. Porcelain veneers, for example, often last 10 to 15 years with proper care, while composite bonding often only lasts three to ten years.

Some habits can weaken and damage bonding. Eating a diet high in acidic foods, such as pineapple or vinegar, can break down the materials and lead to damage. Hard, crunchy, and chewy foods can cause chipping, as can habits like biting your nails or chewing pen caps.

Does Composite Bonding Damage Teeth?

Direct composite binding doesn’t damage your teeth. The dentist simply places the material on your tooth, shapes it, and cures it with UV light. The enamel isn’t damaged, so the bonding can be removed without issue. 

Costs and Insurance

Dental bonding is an affordable procedure with immediate results that enhance and refresh your smile. Insurance may cover dental bonding for some types of tooth repair. 

How Much Is Teeth Bonding?

The average cost for dental bonding is roughly $430 per tooth, but may range from $285 to $915. However, the fee varies by state and may change depending on the other services you have. For instance, dental bonding as part of a cavity filling may be different from a cosmetic procedure.

Charges are usually per tooth, mostly because you may not need your whole mouth done. The type of dentist you choose may influence the price, whether a specialist cosmetic dentist or one in general practice.  

Does Insurance Cover Teeth Bonding For Gaps?

Your insurance may cover part or all of your tooth bonding if you need it to repair or restore a tooth. Composite bonding to fix a chipped or broken tooth or fill in cracks will likely be covered by your plan. 

However, cosmetic bonding to fill gaps, hide stains, or change your tooth shape for appearance only may not qualify for coverage. In those cases, you’ll need to pay for the procedure directly. 

Can You Finance Teeth Bonding?

Our Allure Dental Savings Club offers dental plans for treatment as you need it with no yearly maximums or eligibility requirements. Each plan member also qualifies for a 10% discount on additional services, including cosmetic bonding. 

Tooth Bonding With Cosmetic Dentistry in Mandeville

Allure Dental is a cosmetic dental clinic in Mandeville, offering leading-edge treatments for comprehensive dental care and smile makeovers. Experience personal and attentive care in a relaxing spa-like atmosphere. 

Enjoy plush blankets and warm peppermint-scented towels while you relax with Netflix, and our team takes care of the details. We’ll help you transform your smile using advanced science and a touch of artistry so you can feel your best. Book an appointment today.