Bonding

Dental bonding is a fast, inexpensive and easy way to improve your smile. Bonding is a cosmetic procedure in which your dentist applies a tooth-colored material to your teeth. The procedure requires minimal preparation of teeth, and can be completed in a single office visit.

Bonding improves the appearance of chipped, cracked, broken or stained teeth. Dental bonding can also reduce gaps between teeth to create a more appealing smile.

The bonding procedure begins with an evaluation of your teeth to determine if bonding is the right solution for you. Your dentist prepares the tooth by roughing up its surface to help the bonding material adhere to your tooth. Next, your dentist applies the bonding material to the tooth and uses a special ultraviolet light to cure and harden the composite resin. Your dental health professional then shapes and polishes the restored tooth for optimal appeal.

Anesthesia is usually not necessary unless you have had a restoration to the tooth in the past, or have a significant amount of tooth decay in that tooth.

Dental bonding has several advantages over other cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental crowns and veneers. Bonding requires less preparation of the tooth, is less expensive, and can be done in one visit. The bonding material is less resistant to staining than crowns or veneers, however, and is more prone to breakage.