Curious about how long dental bonding lasts? In this post, our Ottawa dentists address your questions about how the process works, financial considerations and alternatives.
What is dental bonding?
During the dental bonding process, your dentist will apply tooth-coloured composite resin to your tooth surfaces, effectively repairing chips, decay, fractures or discolouration.
This material helps to fill gaps left by a cavity. This can help improve the appearance of your teeth and can make them appear longer. Needless to say, the appearance of your teeth before and after dental bonding can change significantly.
How long does dental bonding last?
The effects of dental bonding typically last for 4 to 8 years, and potentially longer, depending on a few factors:
- How well you care for your teeth (by maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine including daily brushing and flossing)
- Which areas of your mouth are bonded
- Whether you attend your regularly scheduled dental appointments (twice each year)
- Your dietary choices
How long your dental bonding lasts is mostly up to how well you care for your teeth. Avoid acidic or sugary foods, as these can wear on your teeth. If you enjoy fruit, brush and floss your teeth soon after so plaque or bacteria does not have the chance to grow.
To avoid chipping the bonding material avoid chewing ice, hard candy, grinding your teeth or biting down too hard.
Maintaining a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine is of utmost importance. The healthier the natural tooth material around the bonding material remains, the longer the restoration will last.
What are the benefits of dental bonding?
If you choose dental bonding to improve the appearance of your smile, you may experience the following benefits:
Changes in the appearance of teeth: Dental bonding can help adjust the colour and shape of your teeth for a symmetrical, cohesive look.
Non-invasive: As far as cosmetic treatments go, dental bonding is relatively non-invasive and you won't require any recovery time.
Quick treatment: We can usually perform the procedure in just one visit.
Cost-effective: Dental bonding is generally considered to be a cost-effective alternative to more extensive cosmetic dental procedures such as crowns, bridges and veneers.
Long-lasting: As long as you care for your smile properly, you can expect the effects of dental bonding to last for 4 to 8 years, or in some cases longer.
What does dental bonding cost?
Patients who come to us for dental bonding procedures are often concerned about cost. Your specific cost will depend on a few factors:
- The number of teeth being repaired
- Scope of work, location and size of the areas of the mouth being bonded
- Your location – costs may change depending on which city and dental practice performs the procedure
- How much of the procedure is covered by insurance (this may depend on whether your issue is primarily structural or cosmetic)