Advantages of Dental Bonding
There are a variety of advantages and benefits to dental bonding, which are outlined below.* Inexpensive- Dental bonding is one of the cheapest cosmetic dental procedures out there. The cost to repair teeth through dental bonding can range from $100 to $400 USD per tooth, whereas other procedures - such as dental crowns - can cost up to $800 per tooth.
* Quick Fix in One visit - Dental bonding can repair a tooth quickly and in only one visit, whereas dental crowns require multiple visits to the dentist. Dental crowns and veneers require an impression of the teeth to be taken, which must be sent to a laboratory to manufacture the porcelain or ceramic tooth. This process can take up to three weeks, after which another visit to the dentist is required to have the tooth put in place. Dental bonding, on the other hand, does not require a special tooth to be created outside of the dentist's office. Rather, the resin is molded to the shape of tooth in one quick and simple visit which shouldn't last any longer than an hour.
* Minimal Loss of Tooth Structure and Enamel - Dental bonding requires minimal amounts of tooth enamel to be shaved off, as opposed to dental crowns. In a dental crown procedure, the tooth is literally shaved down to a fraction of what it was before, whereas the dental bonding procedure only requires minimal shaving to allow proper bonding of the resin material.
* Simple Way to Fix a Variety of Cosmetic and Health Issues With Teeth - Dental bonding is a very easy way to fix a crack or fracture in the tooth, close gaps between teeth, reshape teeth and create uniform color in a person's smile.
* No Special Care Required - Teeth that are bonded require no special care above and beyond regular oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing and regular dental check-ups are the only actions required.
Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
Although dental bonding is a simple and non-invasive way to fix a host of tooth imperfections, this process also has some disadvantages as outlined below.* Short Lifespan - Materials used with dental bonding do not last as long as dental crowns or veneers. The average lifespan of dental bonding is anywhere between three to 10 years, depending on how invasive the dental bonding is and if repetitive trauma is enforced on the tooth. Dental crowns, on the other hand, should last a lifetime.
* Stain-Resistance is Weaker Than Crowns- Dental bonding materials are capable of resisting stains, although they are not as good as crowns in this area. Dental crowns are much more stain-resistant.
* Bonding Material is Not as Strong as Crowns - The bonding materials used in dental bonding are not as strong as dental crowns or veneers. Therefore, bonded teeth can chip or crack more easily than porcelain or veneer crowns. Certain activities and actions may need to be avoided in order to maintain the structure of the bonded tooth. Biting into hard foods or nail biting will most likely have to be avoided.
Choosing dental bonding to restore imperfections on teeth has many advantages if the problem is minor in nature. Although dental bonding is suitable for small cosmetic changes, it may not be an option for teeth that require more invasive, major corrections.
