19 May 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Cracked or discoloured teeth can chip away at a person's confidence, so a dentist may undertake tooth bonding to restore a visually appealing appearance. The process of tooth bonding requires the application of natural, tooth-coloured resin to chipped or discoloured teeth to enhance the way they look. These bonded materials come in a number of colours, so that they look as close to original teeth as possible. This guide is created to help you understand the process followed by a dentist for professional tooth bonding.

Cleaning And Tooth Preparation

The tooth surface needs to be properly cleaned for the bonding material to properly adhere to it. Your dentist will likely begin by polishing the tooth to remove accumulated dental plaque and other debris that may have settled on it. The dentist will then begin preparing your damaged tooth by drilling and trimming the tooth based on the level of restoration it requires. This step typically varies because some people may have less damaged teeth than others.

Acid Etching And Bonding Agent Application On The Surface Of Teeth

Once your tooth has been drilled and trimmed as needed, the process of bonding will begin. The dentist will etch the exposed surfaces of your teeth with a type of acidic conditioner. This gel is spread on your tooth surface where the bonding material will be placed.  This conditioner should sit on your teeth for a few minutes to prepare the tooth surface for a better bond before being washed off. Without the acidic conditioner for etching teeth, the bonding material may not hold well on their surface. The dentist will then dab the bonding agent onto your etched tooth as evenly as possible and will apply a curing light over it for a quick drying process. The initial bond has now been created.

Dental Resin Is Applied And Cured

Once the bond has been established, dental resin is added to the chip or crack to give it the necessary shape and bulk desired. Once set within the tooth, it gets attached to the bonding agent layer. The dentist usually applies this resin in small proportions and slowly pats it in place. Once the positioning is established, your dentist will harden the resin using the same curing light as before.

Shaping The Dental Resin

Your dentist may use a file or specialised machine to drill and sculpt the resin into a proper tooth shape. The dentist will then use fine grit polishing stones or strips to achieve a smooth tooth-like finish for the dental resin.

While you don't have to undertake any of these steps on your own, it will put your mind at ease knowing the process a dentist will follow for professional tooth bonding.