How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

When you are considering a cosmetic change to your smile, there are a number of options to help you achieve the bright, shiny accessory you have always wanted from your teeth.  One of the reasons to choose dental bonding in cleveland texas over veneers may be the more attractive non invasive nature of bonding.  Another reason to take into consideration when comparing all the options is how long will the option remain intact on your smile?  There are a number of factors that affect how long dental bonding will last including the material, the daily wear and tear, your at home care routine and the condition of your teeth before the procedure.

What Is Tooth Bonding?

When you talk to your dentist about dental bonding, you will want to specify the process where the dentist uses a composite resin application on your teeth to resurface the tooth.  The resin can help address the tooth shape, color, length, cracks, chips or other physical damage.  The dentist can apply this resin to one small area on one tooth or over the entire surface of a number of teeth.  The dentist can adjust the color of the resin to match your natural tooth shade so the bonding blends into the other teeth.  Many people turn to their dentists to use tooth bonding as a solution for many dental issues and as a supplement to a strong treatment plan.

Veneer Bonding

The major alternative to composite resin dental bonding is a porcelain or composite veneer.  Most of the time, veneers are made from the stronger porcelain to allow for a more naturally behaving tooth.  When you and your dentist choose a porcelain veneer, the dentist will take a mold of your current tooth to ensure the proper fit.  Before the porcelain veneer can be permanently fixed to the tooth, the tooth will be prepared.  The preparation involved filing down the natural tooth to fit the laboratory created, uniquely molded veneer.  Porcelain is a more expensive material than composite resin in addition to increased durability.

Extending Its Wear

Due to the material itself, composite bonding is not as long lasting as porcelain veneers.  Composite bonding will last up to ten years or more if they are cared for properly and consistently.  The first way to lengthen the life of your tooth bonding is to avoid hard, crunchy foods like ice cubes, hard candy, and your fingernails.  The pressure on your composite resin veneers will crack the material but the porcelain veneers can handle a bite with more pressure.  The health of the tooth that the composite resin is bonded to needs to be maintained as best as possible.  You can keep all your teeth healthy by twice daily brushing and flossing with regular dental cleanings and appointments.  Composite resin and porcelain are not as strong as your tooth’s natural enamel so ensuring that you chew and bite correctly without grinding your teeth is important in lengthening the life of the veneer.  If you find you are grinding your teeth in your sleep, you should talk to you dentist about this and consider using a night guard to protect your teeth.

When You Leave the Dentist

Your natural tooth is stronger than the resin used in bonding so it is important to protect your dentist’s work.  Avoid using your teeth to open packages, chewing on crunchy and sticky food, and other aggressive behaviors and the bonding can last several years without needing repair.

More on Dental Bonding : What is Dental Bonding?