How Long is a Dental Bonding Procedure?

Dental bonding is a fast and effective way to fix cosmetic dental issues. The procedure is performed using tooth-colored resins that are applied directly to teeth and cured with an ultraviolet light.

It takes 30 to 60 minutes to repair a tooth with composite resin. The treatment only requires a single visit to a dentist, and it produces instant results. Dental bonding can be used to fix a wide range of dental issues, like:

Tooth decay
Cracked or chipped teeth
Discolored or stained teeth
Gaps between teeth
Misshaped teeth
Cavities
Exposed teeth roots

How dental bonding is done

Local anesthetics are typically not used during composite bonding. The main exception is if the patient's tooth is decayed. Treating tooth decay requires that the dentist use a drill to remove decayed material, and that can be painful if an anesthetic is not used.

The only preparation teeth need for the process is a roughened surface, which is done with an etching solution. Once the tooth has been prepped, the dentist will use a color chart to select a composite that matches the rest of the patient's teeth.

The dentist mixes up the composite, and it is applied directly to the tooth in layers. Each layer is molded and hardened before another layer is applied. When the dentist is satisfied with the results, the tooth is polished to complete the treatment. This gives it a shine like the rest of the patient's teeth. The process should be completed in less than an hour.

The advantages of treating teeth with composite resin include the following:

Composite bonding is one of the most affordable ways to improve the appearance of teeth.
The application of composites does not require the removal of enamel.
Treatments can be completed in a single visit. The patient walks out of the clinic with their smile transformed.
Composite bonding usually does not require the use of a local anesthetic.
Repairs made with composite bonding do not require special maintenance.
Restorations made with dental bonding can last up to 10 years.
Composites can be color-matched with the patient's teeth, allowing repairs to blend in.

The main disadvantage that comes with composite bonding is that the material is more susceptible to staining than real tooth enamel. Patients should avoid things that stain, like coffee, and practice good oral hygiene to prevent discoloration. Treatment alternatives like veneers or crowns last longer than restorations made with composites.

Taking care of teeth repaired with composites

Maintaining good oral hygiene is all patients need to do to care for repairs made with composites. This includes brushing at least two times a day and flossing once each day. People with teeth that have been repaired with composites should avoid things that could damage said repairs, like biting their nails.