How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

If you’re looking for a quick and effective smile makeover with no downtime and immediate results, you’re probably considering dental or composite bonding.

Dental bonding is a popular and affordable solution for people with chipped, decaying, or asymmetrical teeth, and it may also help with discolouration and gaps in your smile.

While dental bonding isn’t permanent, it can add symmetry and an instant glow to your face for many years. Find out how long dental bonding lasts and how to care for your new pearly whites to maintain them for as long as possible.

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is popular because dentists can completely transform a patient’s smile in a shorter period of time.

The process involves a dentist securing a tooth-coloured adhesive restoration to a damaged tooth (or teeth), and shaping it accordingly to match the patient’s natural teeth. 

At first, the composite adhesive is soft and mouldable. Once the dentist has achieved the desired shape, a curing light is used to harden the adhesive and set it in place. The dentist completes the process by polishing the dental bonding to give it the same shine as natural teeth.

It’s recommended to be mindful of what you eat for around 48 hours after the procedure because the adhesive restoration is still settling. Take care with very crunchy, chewy, hard, or sticky foods that could pull at your bonding, and  steer clear of stain-inducing food and drinks like coffee, red wine, and tomato sauces.

Benefits of Dental Bonding 

Treats a variety of dental imperfections

Dental bonding will quickly address a wide range of dental issues, including chipped teeth, decay, small gaps between teeth (but not missing teeth) and minor misalignment. 

Quick transformation

Patients love this pain-free treatment because they can walk out the door with a beautiful smile in a single appointment and with zero recovery time.

Matches your natural teeth

The adhesive restoration is matched to the colour of your existing teeth and moulded to fit your mouth’s shape and contours. They should be almost similar to your natural smile, only better!

Cost-effective

Dental bonding is one of the most affordable dental treatments compared to other cosmetic procedures like veneers or crowns.

No recovery time

Dental bonding is non-invasive, so you’ll have no pain and your existing teeth will maintain most of their original structure. There’s zero downtime, which means you can continue with your normal activities. (Please note: it is recommended to be mindful of what you eat for around 48 hours after the procedure because the adhesive restoration is still settling. Take care with very crunchy, chewy, hard, or sticky foods that could pull at your bonding, and  steer clear of stain-inducing food and drinks like coffee, red wine, and tomato sauces)

How Long Will Dental Bonding Last?

The lifespan of dental bonding is usually between 2 and 10 years, but, like anything, its longevity will depend on how good your oral hygiene is and how well the bonding is looked after and protected.

When you have dental bonding, your mouth may be more prone to staining or plaque buildup, so teeth cleaning - brushing at least twice a day and flossing - is more important than ever.

The material used for dental bonding is durable, but not as strong as your natural teeth or other treatment options like porcelain veneers and dental crowns. They can be prone to chipping if you eat hard foods or grind your teeth at night, but bonding repairs are usually easy for your dentist to do.

How to Make Dental Bonding Last Longer?

• Proper oral care - brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to maintain cleanliness and protect your bonding from staining.

• Avoid stain-inducing food and drinks - coffee, red wine, tomato sauces, and dark berries will cause your bonding to stain, and smoking is also a major cause of discoloration. To minimise this, you should maintain good oral hygiene and rinse your mouth with water after consuming staining foods.

• Take care with crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods - eating hard or sticky foods, like apples, nuts, and candy, can pull on your bonding or cause it to crack. Limit eating very chewy items and cut up crunchy foods, like apples, into smaller pieces to limit the bite impact on your bonding.

• Wear a splint to help prevent bruxism and protect the bonding from fracturing especially at night time.

Alternatives to Dental Bonding 

While dental bonding is a great solution for minor imperfections, if you have more extensive tooth damage or concerns, you may need to consider another treatment. 

Dental crowns

Protective caps, which match the appearance of your natural teeth, are placed over damaged, missing, or decayed teeth. This restores the appearance of your smile and the ability to use damaged teeth for chewing and eating.

Porcelain and composite veneers

Thin layers of tooth-shaped material are placed over the front row of your teeth for a natural, polished look. The result is similar to dental bonding, but porcelain veneers are made of stronger stuff and able to handle more wear and tear than dental bonding.