Dental Bonding: Techniques, Procedures, and Applications

The dental bonding procedure is one of the most frequently performed procedures in dentistry. The procedure, however, requires great knowledge on the part of the dentist as well as quality materials to achieve a long-lasting result. 

This blog will provide in-depth insight into the procedure, exploring its techniques and applications. Furthermore, we will highlight the well-known GC bonding products, which are well-known for their quality and effectiveness in dental bonding treatments.

What Is Dental Composite Bonding? 

Dental composite bonding, also known as dental bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to repair or improve the appearance and function of the teeth. It is a great option for patients when they have minor imperfections in their teeth and want a more conservative treatment option by using tooth-color composite resin materials.   

What Are the Advantages of Dental Composite Bonding? 

• Quick and Non-Invasive: Dental bonding is a minimally invasive procedure that requires minimal tooth preparation for patients who want to preserve their natural tooth structure.  

• Comprehensive Treatment: The treatment is a versatile treatment option that can address various dental concerns, including chipped or cracked teeth, tooth discoloration, minor gaps, and small cavities.  

• Cost-Effective Option: Dental bonding is often a single-visit procedure and less expensive than indirect veneers, making it an option for people on a tight budget. 

• Reversible: If slight damage or wear occurs over time, dental bonding can be easily fixed or replaced at a low cost and without a lot of tooth reduction. 

Are There Any Limitations with Dental Composite Bonding?  

• Durability: Dental bonding is not as resistant as a natural tooth and may be more prone to chipping, staining, or wear over time compared to indirect restorations, particularly in patients with bruxism or aggressive oral habits. In such cases where there is not enough tooth structure, a crown may be a better option.  

• Staining: The bonding material can be susceptible to staining from certain foods, beverages, and habits, such as smoking, over time, so an indirect veneer is a choice in these cases, since it is less prone to discoloration. 

• Limited Aesthetic Potential: While dental bonding can achieve natural-looking results, it may not provide the same level of translucency and aesthetic appeal as ceramic veneers, especially for extensive cosmetic cases. 

Dental Bonding Techniques  

Different dental bonding techniques are available. Each serves a specific purpose in addressing dental concerns.  

The direct bonding technique involves applying the composite resin directly to the tooth, while the indirect composite bonding technique utilizes a dental laboratory to fabricate the restoration, such as inlays, onlays, porcelain veneers, and crowns.  

Adhesive systems play a vital role in creating a strong and durable bond between the tooth and the composite resin, ensuring longevity and reliable results. There are different options for adhesive systems: 

Total-etch or etch-and-rinse adhesives are offered as two- or three-step systems, depending on whether the primer and bonding are separate or combined in a single bottle. It involves the application of phosphoric acid on all tooth substrates: enamel and dentin. After rinsing and gently drying, depending on the number of steps, the adhesive system or primer can be applied.  

In the selective-etch technique, only enamel margin surfaces are etched with phosphoric acid to ensure a strong bond to the enamel. Dentin is not etched. 

Self-etch adhesives contain acidic monomers, which etch and prime the tooth simultaneously. After application of the primer, the bonding system can be applied. 

Universal adhesives, the latest development in the field, use the “all-in-one” philosophy; they  can be used as self-etch, etch-and-rinse, or enamel selective-etch agents for bonding direct and indirect restorations to enamel and dentin. 

Read more: A Guide to Bonding and Cementation 

Dental Bonding Procedure 

The dental bonding procedure is an effective treatment requiring precision and artistry. We must follow some steps to prepare the tooth's surface, ensuring a clean and optimal dental bonding technique to achieve the desired result.  

Here are the steps you should follow for a dental bonding procedure: 

• Shade Selection: Start by selecting the proper shade of the composite resin before the tooth is isolated, since dehydrated enamel “whitens” considerably, creating unnatural results that do not match with natural teeth. For better esthetic results, it is ideal to have at least four shades of composite available. 

• Tooth Preparation: Performed in a more conservative way, without the need of sound tooth tissue removal. 

• Application of Adhesive System: Depending on the type of adhesive system (etch-and rinse, self-etch, or universal), different steps are involved in the adhesive system application. If etch-and rinse is used, phosphoric acid should be applied, whereas in the case of self-etch, it is not needed. The manufacturer’s instructions must always be followed. 

• Bonding Application: using a micro-brush and following the manufacturer instructions to perform the correct air blow and polymerization time. 

• Composite Application: Apply the composite resin to the prepared tooth, using an adequate instrument to achieve the desired shape and contour. 

• Curing: Use a blue curing light or laser to polymerize the bonding material. 

• Finishing and polishing: Give your dental composite bonding a final touch by using a multi-fluted carbide bur, carbide hand-finishing burs, finishing discs, and strips to achieve seamless integration with the surrounding teeth. 

Dental Bonding Application  

Dental bonding can be used for a variety of dental problems including the following: 

• Chipped or Cracked Teeth: Dental bonding can restore the shape and function of chipped or cracked teeth, providing a natural-looking solution. 

• Tooth Discoloration: Dental bonding procedures can cover stains and discoloration that cannot be treated effectively with teeth whitening procedures. 

• Minor Gaps: They can be used to close small gaps between teeth that are around 0.5-1 mm, with a gap dental bonding technique without the need for orthodontic treatment. 

• Tooth Length: Dental bonding can be utilized to lengthen or reshape teeth that are either short or have irregular shapes. 

• Exposed Tooth Roots: For patients with gums recession, bonding can cover and protect the exposed tooth roots, which help to reduce sensitivity. 

• Cavities: For patients with caries lesions, dental bonding procedures have a major application in restorative dentistry to restore tooth structure.

Achieve Great Results with GC America's Bonding Agent Line 

Use GC America's bonding agents to provide reliable adhesion and durability for direct and indirect restorations. 

G2-BOND Universal Two-Component Light-Cured Adhesive  

It offers a new standard of 2-bottle universal dental bonding, which works for all etching technics, providing long-lasting restorations with outstanding quality. 

G-Premio BOND™  Single-Component Universal Light-Cured Adhesive 

It is a universal dental bonding agent used in direct and indirect procedures, which also helps to treat hypersensitivity. 

G-ænial™ Bond Single-Component Self-Etching, Light-Cure Adhesive  

This has excellent handling characteristics, specifically designed for selective etching techniques to provide maximum advantage. 

G-BOND™ Single Component Self-Etching Light-Cure Adhesive 

It coats all bonding surfaces even in an extremely shallow cavity, which allows for fewer voids, with no post-op sensitivity and an easy application. 

GC Fuji BOND™ LC Single-Component Self-Etching Light-Cure Adhesive 

This is ideal bond for posterior restorations because it bonds chemically and mechanically to the tooth.