Emergency Tooth Replacement: Is Dental Bonding an Option?

If you have suddenly broken a tooth and do not have the money to pay for an implant or bridge, you may want to consider dental bonding. Dental bonding offers many benefits that may be appealing to you over other tooth replacement options. However, it is not without its drawbacks. The following are some pros and cons of getting a broken tooth bonded.

Dental Bonding Defined

Dental bonding is the process of applying tooth colored resin to teeth using adhesive and a high intensity curing light. Dental bonding is generally used as a way to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth. It is widely used as a way to repair a chipped or broken tooth or to change the color of a discolored tooth.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

One of the biggest benefits of bonding a broken tooth is that it is typically the least expensive option. It is also an ideal option if you only have one broken tooth. If you have several damaged teeth, you may need to speak to your dentist about whether or not bonding will be viable. Bonding is also a good option if you just want to temporarily disguise a broken tooth while you save money for another option, such as porcelain veneers or dental implants. You can also get your teeth bonded in just one office visit. Other options will require multiple visits in order to get everything set into place.

Drawbacks of Dental Bonding

If you have a very large section of teeth missing, it may be difficult to make them look natural with dental bonding only. Bonding is not always as strong as other options, so you might have difficulty eating certain foods. The bonds are also more likely to be damaged if you bite down on something hard. You may have to have the bonding replaced from time to time because they can begin to break down somewhat. In addition, some food and drink items can possibly stain bonded teeth. Tomato sauce, red wine, coffee, and other deeply colored food items can cause the teeth to take on a darker shade.

If you need an emergency dental repair, bonding is definitely an option. Be sure to discuss your preference with your dentist. In some cases, you may need additional work done if there was damage done to the nerves in the tooth. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, your dentist can quickly restore your smile with just one trip to the dental office.

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