Dental Bonding

What is Bonding?

Bonding (composite resin bonding) is a procedure where the tooth enamel is gently etched before a tooth-colored resin material is adhered and sculpted. Bonding can be used to correct slightly fractured or decayed teeth, to replace silver fillings, or to close gaps and change the shape, contour or color of a tooth. Properly placed and finished, resins can look like natural enamel and are an excellent material to restore the beauty of a smile.

Who is a Candidate for Bonding?

If you have one or more of the following, you may be a suitable candidate for dental bonding:

• Slight chips or cracks
• Small areas of decay
• Old silver fillings
• Small spaces/gaps between the teeth
• Discolored or stained teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Irregularly shaped teeth

Bonding is not recommended for teeth that have significant structural damage or extensive areas of decay. Dental crowns or another restorative option are more appropriate in those cases.

The Bonding Process

Dental bonding treatment is safe, quick and convenient. First, the tooth is cleaned and prepared for bonding. Then, the tooth-colored bonding resin is applied to the tooth and sculpted into the desired shape and size. The resin is hardened with a special light. Finally, the newly bonded tooth is buffed and polished to give it a natural-looking translucence.