How Long Does a Bonding Last On a Chipped Tooth?

Generally, natural teeth are built to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, it is hardly the case. Many people succumb to tooth loss at an early age. Besides losing your teeth, they can incur damage in different ways, including tooth fractures. Fortunately, you can always bank on dentists near you to offer remedies that can improve your teeth’ health and boost their function.

What Chips Natural Teeth?

Various factors can cause your teeth to chip, crack or break. Some include:

1. Dental trauma – oral-related injuries from blunt trauma can compromise your tooth structure.
2. Bruxism – is a condition for excessively grinding teeth at night. Teeth grinding exerts intense pressure on teeth, which can chip, crack and break them.
3. Wear and tear – teeth wear down with usage, especially as you age.
4. Hard foods – eating hard foods are among the common ways that people chip their natural teeth.
5. Poor oral habits – if you frequently bite your fingernails or open bottles with your teeth, they can break, crack, or chip.

What Is a Bonding for Teeth?

It is a cosmetic dental procedure that repairs and restores teeth enamel to improve a smile’s appearance. Dental bonding in Garrettsville, OH, entails using a tooth-colored composite resin material to alter teeth’ shape, color, and size. A dentist near me can use composite bonding to correct various dental imperfections with your teeth, including the following:

1. Small gaps between teeth – composite bonding can close spaces resulting from orthodontic misalignments, not tooth loss.
2. Oddly shaped teeth – if your teeth are unusually short, pointy, round, or box, composite bonding can contour them to give them a more flattering appearance.
3. Stained teeth – dental discoloration does not only rely on enamel bleaching. Instead, composites can improve your teeth’ color by masking underlying stains.
4. Dental cavities – sometimes dentists use composites to repair decayed teeth. In such instances, composites are alternatives to traditional dental fillings like amalgams.
5. Chipped, cracked, and broken teeth – instead of removing your tooth after incurring a fracture, you can restore its appearance through dental bonding near you.

How Does Dental Bonding Fix Chipped Teeth?

At Garrettsville Dental Group, dental bonding is among the quickest cosmetic procedures for improving teeth’ appearance. The procedure occurs in minutes, depending on the number of teeth that need fixing. The initial step of the bonding treatment entails roughening the tooth surface. It is necessary to promote the resin’s adhesion to the natural tooth structure.

Afterward, the attending dentist Hiram will apply the putty-like resin over the chipped tooth. The application process mostly entails molding the resin to address the underlying problem. When the dentist is satisfied with the outcome, (s)he will employ a laser or UV light to harden the resin, bonding it with the natural tooth structure. If necessary, the dentist will trim off any excess composite before polishing it for a final natural-looking glare.

How Long Will Your Bonded Teeth Last?

Although composite is a sturdy material suitable for repairing and restoring teeth, it is not comparable to natural tooth enamel. Therefore, it cannot last as long as your natural teeth. Generally, composites last between 5 and 7 years. The longevity of your bonded teeth largely depends on how well you care for your oral health post-treatment.

How Can You Make Bonded Teeth Last Long?

Before you leave the dentist’s office after composite bonding, be keen to get instructions on post-treatment dental care protocols. The more intentional you are in caring for your bonded teeth, the longer they will last without incurring damage. Some crucial tips for caring for composites are:

1. Watch what you eat – hard and crunchy foods will crack, chip, or break your bonded teeth. Further, avoid heavily pigmented foods like red wine, pastes, and dark berries. They will stain the composites, undermining your aesthetics.
2. Keep your mouth clean – floss daily and brush your teeth more than once each day. While at it, choose the right products to keep your mouth clean. Avoid a hard-bristled toothbrush that can be too abrasive, damaging your composite teeth.
3. Apply the correct brushing and flossing techniques – be gentle with your teeth, lest you chip and crack them again.
4. Visit your dentist regularly – routine dental exams and cleaning are a staple for maintaining a healthy mouth.
5. Wear a mouth protector to protect your teeth – a mouthguard will protect your teeth when engaging in high-contact physical activities like sports. A night guard will protect your teeth from the force of teeth grinding when you sleep.