Bonding Teeth- How Long Does It Last?

Teeth bonding is also known as tooth veneers, and it’s an increasingly popular cosmetic dental procedure that can dramatically improve the look of your smile. Most bonding treatments are completed in just one or two visits to the dentist, so you can enjoy a beautiful new smile quickly and conveniently! While there are many different techniques and materials used to complete dental bonding, we’ll focus on just one here to give you an idea of how long it lasts and what kinds of results you can expect. Here’s everything you need to know about Teeth Bonding Near Me before after photos!

Bonding: The First Week

When you first receive your new veneers, you may notice that your bite feels a little off for about a week. Don’t worry – it’s totally normal! Bonding isn’t meant to last forever, and is actually only supposed to hold your teeth in place for about four weeks before they can be permanently cemented into place. Some bonding material lasts longer than others. But as a general rule of thumb, always assume that your bonds will only last until they dissolve on their own (within 4-6 weeks). As long as there is still bonding on your teeth after that time period, you can safely assume that your veneers are in place and ready to be cemented permanently.

Bonding: A Month Later

Bonding material, made of plastic resin, is bonded to your teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist. This process can take between one and two hours depending on how many teeth need bonding. Afterward, you should be able to eat and drink immediately although you should avoid chewing gum while your mouth heals. You can return to normal oral hygiene habits after one week, but refrain from flossing until it’s safe to do so.

Bonding: Two Months Later

Bonding generally lasts for about two years. That said, there are many factors that can affect how long your teeth will remain bonded. The main one is your dental hygiene—if you’re not flossing and brushing properly or otherwise neglecting your teeth, then you’ll see wear much faster than someone who takes good care of their mouth. Smoking also wears away bonding, so if you’re a smoker and getting bonded teeth, be sure to cut back to give yourself more time before they start falling out. Also remember that sometimes bonding needs to be replaced even before it wears away; if you’ve had a tooth break down while still bonded to other teeth in its socket, then it might need to be replaced with veneers or crowns sooner than expected.

How to Fix Bonded Teeth

Fixing bonded teeth is as simple as going to your dentist. If you’re lucky, he or she will be able to spot a problem during a routine cleaning and fix it before it becomes an issue. That said, if you’ve just bonded your teeth recently and are unhappy with how they look or feel, don’t panic. A bonding professional should give you up to six months of satisfaction guaranteed on their work. Just remember that bonded teeth are more fragile than naturally occurring ones, so avoid biting into hard foods like apples or steak until you get used to them.

What if I Have an Issue with My Teeth Bonding?

If you have an issue with your bonding teeth before and after, it’s important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. They can help assess and remedy any problems that have arisen with your bond so that they don’t become more severe or cause damage to other teeth and/or gums. Tooth bonding is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some cases where it may need to be redone. Your dentist can tell you if there’s a chance for tooth bonding repair (i.e., if there is still enough tooth left after bonding) and what your options are going forward—but sometimes, issues like these necessitate more invasive treatments.

Can I Rely on Tooth Bonding Alone?

Though tooth bonding is usually considered a dental quick fix, there are times when it’s a better option than veneers. Not only does bonding last longer and stay fixed on your teeth longer, but it can be significantly less expensive than veneers (not to mention that you don’t have to wait for weeks for your new teeth to arrive). Before going ahead with tooth bonding, however, make sure that you know what kind of wear and tear your teeth are expected to endure over time—particularly if you’re an avid coffee or tea drinker. If you’re not sure about how long bonding can last on your teeth alone, talk with your dentist before proceeding with any type of cosmetic dental procedure.