Bonding

Dental bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misaligned, and can even be an alternative to porcelain veneers.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a laser, which ultimately bonds the material to the tooth to restore or improve person's smile.

What Is Involved In The Dental Bonding Procedure?

Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Dr. Williams will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your tooth. Next, the surface of the tooth will be lightly etched and a conditioning liquid will be applied, which will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored resin is then applied and sculpted to the desired shape. A laser is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, Dr. Williams will further trim, smooth and polish it to a natural appearance.

Considerations With Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before repair is needed.

Because of some of the limitations of dental bonding, many dentists view it as best suited for small cosmetic changes or for temporary correction of cosmetic defects.