Among the most versatile cosmetic dental treatments, dental (or composite) bonding is essential for addressing concerns such as tooth damage, discolouration, and decay. It is a more affordable dental treatment and can usually be completed within a single visit to the clinic. Unlike porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental treatments, this approach is entirely reversible.
When Is Dental Bonding Used?
- Dental bonding may be applied to address issues such as:
- Unsightly gaps between teeth
- Discoloured or stained teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Poorly shaped teeth
- Crooked/misaligned teeth
- Tooth decay
Types of Dental Bonding
Approaches to dental bonding include:
Direct Dental Bonding – the most commonly used alternative, this single-visit procedure involves cleaning the patient’s teeth and roughening the exterior surfaces of the teeth with an etching solution. This enables the composite to adhere more strongly. A putty-like composite is then applied to the tooth; this is done in layers, and the composite is moulded to the desired shape and cured (hardened) with a curing light. The treatment concluded with polishing the tooth.
Indirect Composite Bonding – this option is usually chosen for cases where the tooth damage is moderate to severe and/or when direct bonding will not fix the tooth adequately. An impression is taken of the patient’s tooth at an initial visit, and this is sent to a lab where custom restorations are made (e.g. crowns). The impression is used to create a custom restoration, and this is returned to the dentist, who bonds it to the patient’s tooth at a second visit.
Composite Veneers – a veneer is a tooth-shaped shell that is glued to a tooth’s front surface. It masks imperfections on the tooth, such as discolouration or stains. Composite veneers are the most affordable type and are made in a dental lab based on the patient’s dental impression. They are bonded to the teeth and can transform a smile.
In a Nutshell:
- Dental bonding uses tooth-coloured composite resin material:
- Resin is matched to the tooth’s shade to mimic the natural colour of the teeth.
- The tooth’s surface is prepared by etching and roughening it.
- A conditioning liquid is applied to the tooth to maximise adherence.
- Resin is applied, moulded, and smoothed to the appropriate shape.
- The resin is cured and bonded to the tooth using a dental LED curing light.
- Final shaping and polishing is completed for a natural-looking outcome.
Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive
Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive from 3M™ is the widely preferred dental product suited for an array of dental bonding indications including but not limited to bonding numerous materials including:
- Light-cured composite restorations
- Core build-up materials
- Dual-cure cements
- Self-cure composites
- Sealants
- Veneers (used alongside 3M™RelyX™Veneer Cement)
Also:
- Desensitization of root surfaces
- Repairing composite restorations
- Sealing dentin before amalgam restorations
- As a protective varnish for restorative materials made of glass ionomer
This revolutionary product supports several etching techniques and provides dentin-like radiopacity. This helps to mitigate the risk of misdiagnosis based on inaccurate X-ray interpretation and associated over-treatment in patients who have undergone dental bonding previously.
Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive bonds and seals decayed teeth so that dentists can affect minimally invasive treatments and preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. Adhesion to all restorative materials and dental substrates is unparalleled – even for glass ceramics.
Conclusion
The best dentists will avail of optimum materials for their patients, including how they approach dental bonding. Using premium quality materials and products from brands they trust – like Scotchbond™ products – is essential.
