How Dental Bonding Can Help With Damaged Enamel

Dental bonding is a form of restorative treatment used to repair damaged enamel and fix cosmetic concerns such as gaps between teeth or uneven teeth. There are many benefits of dental bonding when used to repair damaged enamel, and it is safe for patients and does not harm the teeth in any way.

Dental bonding treatment to repair damaged enamel

There are certain times when dental bonding may be the best solution to repair damaged enamel. The following discussion highlights when a dentist may recommend dental bonding for damaged enamel and how this restorative treatment solution compares with alternative solutions such as dental veneers.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is a minimally invasive restorative dentistry procedure that involves applying an adhesive tooth-colored material to the surface of teeth to improve the utility of damaged enamel or cosmetic concerns (see below). The procedure involves roughening the surface of teeth with damaged enamel and applying a bonding agent. The composite resin material is then bonded onto the tooth and the material is hardened with a special bonding light. This provides teeth with extra enamel protection and restores each tooth’s ideal appearance.

When is dental bonding recommended for damaged enamel?

Dental bonding is recommended in many instances when the enamel is damaged on the more visible teeth in the front of the mouth. However, the bonding material may not be strong enough to restore enamel that is damaged on the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars. Dental bonding can address a range of enamel concerns, including chips, cracks, worn-down enamel, and more.

What other issues can dental bonding address?

In addition to addressing damaged enamel, dental bonding may be a solution for a range of cosmetic concerns that do not pose a serious concern to the patient’s oral health. This can include teeth that are naturally too short or natural gaps between teeth. Teeth stains can also be improved with dental bonding in many instances as well.

How does dental bonding compare with alternative solutions?

The most notable alternative to dental bonding is dental veneers. Veneers are thin layers of porcelain material that are applied to the visible surface of teeth to address many of the same concerns as dental bonding. However, dental veneers are a more expensive solution, and they most often require the removal of a small amount of enamel. Subsequently, they are seen as more of a permanent solution than dental bonding. They do, however, last much longer than dental bonding. Bonding lasts on average between five and ten years, whereas dental veneers can last for more than a decade.