What not to eat after bonding?
Bonding
Ask Carterville Dental Center if our services are right for you
What is Cosmetic Bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is a cost-effective cosmetic dental procedure in which a dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to one or more of your teeth to repair damage. Serving as a practical alternative to crowns and veneers, cosmetic bonding uses a shade guide to help you choose a color that matches your natural teeth. After that, we roughen the surface of the tooth, and apply a liquid that allows the bonding agent to stick! Finally, we apply the composite resin over the liquid, molds, or shapes the tooth, and then hardens the material with UV light.
While your teeth are naturally very strong, accidents can happen. Teeth bonding can help repair chipped teeth while preventing future damage. Is it the right move for you? Keep reading, or contact Carterville Dental Center in Carterville, Illinois today at 618-985-4200 for more information!
Is Cosmetic Dental Bonding Right for You?
Teeth bonding has the best value among cosmetic dental procedure options. Unlike veneers and crowns, which may require a lab, bonding can be done onsite, unless several teeth require attention. Another advantage of bonding, when sized up against veneers and crowns is that it removes the least amount of tooth enamel.
Due to some of its limitations, cosmetic bonding is best used as a solution for short-term cosmetic correction, and for correcting teeth in areas of very low bite pressure such as the front of your teeth. Typically, bonding material lasts from 3-10 years before a replacement or touch-up is required.
Dental bonding may be recommended for several reasons:
- repairing chipped or cracked teeth
- fixing gaps in teeth
- concealing discoloration
- changing your tooth shape to match the rest of your smile
- protecting part of a tooth’s root caused by a receding gumline
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
Bonding on the front teeth can last between 4 and 8 years, but it may need to be replaced in as little as 3 and as many as 10 years depending on the bond’s location, your bite, and your eating habits. After the 8-year mark, your dentist will assess the bonding site to determine if the bond needs to be replaced, retouched, or if it is fine as is.
While some circumstances regarding your bond’s shelf-life may be entirely out of your control, there are certain things you can do to give your bond the best chance of longevity. It’s usually better to avoid biting directly into your food, particularly hard consumables that can compromise the dental bonding structure. Your bonding’s lifespan will depend largely on how serious you take your oral hygiene.
How to Care for Bonded Teeth
Bear in mind, many materials are as strong as your natural teeth, including composite resin. Avoid activities that might damage your teeth such as chewing on ice, writing utensils, and your fingernails.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can also damage the bonding resin by grinding it down quicker than normal, run-of-the-mill wear and tear. If you are a bruxer, consider investing in a mouth guard or night guard, either through our office or a third party. Bonding your front teeth typically requires minimal prep-work, so anesthesia is unnecessary unless there is an old restoration or decay present. The tooth is layered with a conditioning gel to help the bonding material stay put. The resin is then applied and hardened with a UV light.
While your bond repairs the tooth initially, good oral hygiene is still required for long-lasting effects. Excessive hard foods and candies can also cause damage to your bond, so it’s best to avoid them since these are not great for regular teeth either. Whitening gels won’t harm anything, but you may see some discoloration as your tooth’s appearance changes, but your bond remains identical.
The process works best for healthy teeth that have suffered minor damage or trauma. You should also be content with your teeth color before getting your bond, so discuss teeth whitening with your dentist in preparation for your bond if it’s something that’s on your mind.
What to Expect from Dental Bonding
First, we use a shade guide to select a resin shade that most closely matches the natural color of the tooth. Before attaching, the surface of the tooth is sanded down and lightly coated with a conditioning liquid so that the bonding material will more easily stick. Once preparation is complete, we will apply the resin to the tooth and mold it to fit. The material is subsequently hardened using an ultraviolet light. After this, we will apply the finishing touches.
A single-tooth bonding procedure usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish, but may require several visits to complete if more than one tooth requires work. Because most tooth bonding procedures require no anesthetic, you can commence daily activities after we’re done.
Cosmetic Bonding Preparation and Procedure
Minimal preparation is needed for dental bonding on your end, outside of practicing standard oral hygiene. As long as you show up with your teeth brushed and flossed, you are good to go! If it is almost time for your biannual dental cleaning around the time of your procedure, you might consider moving up that cleaning and scheduling it beforehand.
To kick off your bonding appointment, your dentist will select a shade that best matches up with your teeth to prepare the resin. The actual composite resin is a pliable, putty-like material that can be molded into countless shapes. Local anesthesia may be necessary if a nerve is nearby the site of the procedure, but no anesthesia is typically needed for surface repairs. The bonding procedure then starts by making the surface of the tooth coarser and more susceptible to the bonding material. The dentist will subsequently apply a fluid to help the resin stick to your teeth. Next, they will apply and mold the resin into shape. After smoothing it down, they will use UV waves to cure and harden the resin in only a few seconds.
Interested in finding a dentist that specializes in cosmetic bonding near you in Carterville? Call Carterville Dental Center today at 618-985-4200 for more information!
Having a beautiful set of teeth after drug addiction
5 Things to Keep in Mind When Eating With Composite Bonding
24 June 2020 by Danielle Fletcher
One of the best things about composite bonding is that when done well, it blends in seamlessly with your natural teeth. This is why it is ideal for mending chipped teeth. But unlike porcelain, which dentists use to create veneers and crowns, composite bonding does have some weakness that will affect the way you eat.
Composite bonding lasts years for some people. But for others, those that aren’t careful, it might only last months. If you plan to have your tooth repaired with composite bonding, then keep the following things in mind at mealtimes.
1. Eating Hard Foods With Bonded Front Teeth Requires Care
Eating hard foods with composite bonding on your back teeth is okay because the force is divided over a wife and flat area. But if you have bonding on a front incisor, be careful when you chew hard foods. This means you should take care when eating foods like apples, boiled candy, barbecue ribs, and fried chicken. If you put too much pressure on a front bonded tooth while chewing these foods, you could break your bonding.
2. The Ice in Your Drinks Can Break Your Composite Bonding
Don’t chew the ice in your cold drinks. Ice is strong enough to crack your natural teeth. And it is most certainly hard enough to snap a bonded tooth.
3. It Takes 24 Hours for Composite Bonding to Harden Fully
You need to wait about 24 hours before you begin eating tougher foods like hard, raw veggies or nuts. It takes this amount of time for composite resin to harden fully after treatment.
4. Foods With Dark Pigments Can Stain Bonding
Dark pigmented foods and drinks will stain your bonding over time. Try to avoid foods like curries or pasta with red sauce. And if you drink coffee, try to drink it through a straw to minimize its contact with your teeth. The first 24 hours are especially important in this regard since your bonding is still hardening.
5. Bonding Could Fracture If You Pick at It
Be careful if you have food stuck between your teeth and you wish to pick it out. If you use a fingernail to scratch at a piece of food, you could end up catching a section of the bonding and breaking it off. Use dental floss to remove food, and always remove the floss horizontally, not vertically.
Composite bonding is ideal for fixing small breaks in teeth. But remember to keep the above points in mind at mealtimes.
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About Me
I was a drug addict in my early twenties, and my teeth are still showing the evidence of this period of my life. It’s very embarrassing to go for a job interview or on a date because I know if I smile the first thing that people see is my ‘meth mouth’ even though I have been sober for seven years. Even though it is pricey, I have started working through a treatment plan with my dentist to get my mouth looking the way it should. This blog has tips for people who are looking to correct addiction related dental problems.
Teeth Bonding Succasunna, NJ
Dr. Ira Goldberg is a dentist in Succasunna, NJ that offers dental bonding to his patients at Morris County Dental Associates. Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry solution that benefits patients who have severe tooth staining, tooth damage, or chipped or cracked teeth. This treatment covers teeth to lighten them and improve their aesthetics.
Dental Bonding Treatment at Morris County Dental Associates
Dental bonding is a technique that dentists use to fix, repair, or close gaps in teeth. There are a few simple steps that we follow when providing a dental bonding treatment. First, Dr. Goldberg will clean the tooth or teeth and shape it with a dental file to make sure the surface is free of any debris. Next, he will select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your natural teeth. Dr. Goldberg does this to make sure you have a virtually unnoticeable treatment result.
Then, he will apply a tooth-colored, biocompatible composite resin that he hand-sculpts into the desired shape. We will cure the composite resin material with a special light that hardens it fairly quickly. Once the composite has set, Dr. Goldberg will polish it to match the appearance of a natural tooth and your surrounding teeth. That’s it! The process takes a single visit and you can use your newly repaired tooth almost immediately.
When is Tooth Bonding Needed?
We can use dental bonding for multiple dental problems. It can benefit patients with:
- Spaces between teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Minor chips or cracks
- Discolored teeth
- Damaged teeth
Do any of these problems sound familiar to you? Our professional dental team will ensure that you receive comfortable and comprehensive tooth-bonding treatment at Morris County Dental Associates.
Benefits of Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is a less permanent more economical solution than dental veneers, and is, therefore, a good option for patients who may not want to commit to a lasting treatment. The bio-composite material that we bond to your teeth can last about 3 to 10 years before needing touch-ups or replacement. Patients can also choose the shade that they want for a brighter smile.
Post-Treatment Care
After treatment, you should avoid teeth-staining foods and beverages for at least 48 hours. You can brush and floss your teeth normally after the procedure, although you should avoid biting your nails or chewing on hard food objects following treatment.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
How long does it take for teeth bonding to set?
Composite bonding typically takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes to set. Bonding is one of the easier and more affordable cosmetic dental procedures. Most patients do not need their mouths numbed either.
Is bonding painful?
The bonding process and procedure are rarely painful. We may administer anesthesia, but is not required. Teeth may feel sensitive to temperature, but they should not hurt after a bonding procedure.
What foods should I avoid with bonded teeth?
Bonded teeth are strong, however, bonds can break. Patients with bonds should be careful when eating tough meats, hard candy, hard fruits, and tough bread. Hard or chewy foods are more likely to break or damage your bond.
How long do you have to wait to eat after getting a tooth bonded?
After getting tooth bonding, patients should wait to eat any hard or chewy foods for the first 24 hours. It typically takes about 24 hours before the bond has fully set so it is best to stick to a soft diet for this period.
Can I drink coffee with bonded teeth?
Coffee along with red wine, tea, and smoking can stain teeth. Patients should avoid these drinks and substances after the first 48 hours of getting a teeth bonding treatment to reduce staining.
How long should a bonded tooth last?
Dental bonds typically last between 5-10 years. The amount of time that they last vary based on their location, diet, and oral care routine. A good oral care routine and a healthy diet will promote the health of your bond and help it to last longer.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Dr. Goldberg offers tooth bonding treatment in Succasunna, NJ. Call 973-298-5893 if you want to get brighter and fuller teeth. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Goldberg on our website. The staff of Morris County Dental Associates will be happy to help you if you have any remaining questions about dental treatment.
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