Dental bonding is a cosmetic treatment that can fix a range of different aesthetic smile issues, including chips, cracks, discoloration, small gaps, and minor alignment issues. This treatment is a popular way to quickly improve the look of one’s smile, but how long does it last? If you have your smile bonded, do you need to get it done again in the future? Read on to learn how long cosmetic bonding lasts and how to protect your new smile.
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
So, is cosmetic bonding a permanent treatment? This procedure is an affordable, effective way to achieve a gorgeous grin, but it won’t last forever. On average, dental bonding lasts five to 10 years. By that time, it will start to show signs of wear and will likely need to be redone. How long your bonded smile lasts will depend on how well you care for it.
What Factors Affect How Long Dental Bonding Lasts?
When it comes to the lifespan of dental bonding, there are several factors that impact how long it lasts, such as:
- Dietary choices – Highly pigmented foods and drinks like red wine, coffee, tea, cola, berries, curry, and things that are high in acid can leave stains on your bonded teeth.
- An imperfect bite – Though tooth enamel is the strongest material in the body, the composite resin used to bond teeth isn’t nearly as strong. For this reason, having an imperfect bite may put too much pressure on the bonded parts of your teeth and cause it to wear rapidly.
- Location – The place where the tooth is located and where it’s bonded will also impact how long it lasts. For example, dental bonding that’s on the front or the edge of a tooth is more likely to become damaged.
- Oral hygiene – Cavities can jeopardize your dental bonding. Brushing twice and flossing once per day will help prevent cavities from forming.
- Bruxism – This condition is characterized by teeth grinding and jaw clenching, especially at night. People who have bruxism are susceptible to dental damage, which may result in issues with your bonded teeth.
7 Tips to Protect Your Dental Bonding
There are several ways that you can protect your teeth after having them bonded, such as:
- Avoid consuming dark-colored foods and drinks whenever possible
- Quit bad habits like smoking cigarettes and drinking excessively
- Don’t open things like bottles and packages with your teeth
- Avoid hard foods as well as chewing on ice cubes
- Floss every night before you go to bed
- Visit your dentist every six months
- Brush your teeth twice per day
Though dental bonding doesn’t last forever, it can give you a gorgeous grin for several years as long as you care for your smile properly. So, make sure to get your money’s worth by keeping your teeth healthy, bright, and beautiful!
About the Practice
by Dr. Shelly Strohman and his team at Strohman Dental take pride in beautifying the smiles of their Wichita Falls patients one at a time. They offer personalized treatments that make each and every patient feel special and well cared for. They also provide treatments like dental bonding to improve the look of teeth so you can feel more confident in your beam. If you’re ready to make an appointment with Dr. Strohman or want to learn more, call (940) 613-0299 or visit their website.