Dental bonding is a procedure performed by a cosmetic dentist where a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light bonding the material to the tooth to restore and/or improve a person's smile. Dental bonding is also referred to as cosmetic bonding.

Why Dental Bonding?

· To repair decayed teeth
· To improve the appearance of discolored teeth
· To repair chipped or cracked teeth
· To close gaps between teeth
· To alter the shape of teeth
· To protect a portion of the tooth root that has been exposed when gums recede

The Bonding Process

Dental bonding is a very simple procedure that requires very little advanced preparation. Anesthesia is usually not necessary unless the bonding is intended to fill a decayed tooth. Your cosmetic dentist will show you a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will match the color of your natural teeth.

During the dental bonding process, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a liquid to condition the tooth will be applied. This helps the bonding material to adhere to the tooth being bonded. The tooth-colored resin is applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape. Then an ultraviolet light is used to harden the material; after the material is hardened, your dentist will trim and shape the bonding and polish it up to match the shine of the rest of the tooth's surface. The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes from start to finish.

Advantages & Disadvantages

There are many advantages to dental bonding including bonding is the least expensive of most, if not all, cosmetic dental procedures . Also, bonding can be done in one office visit, whereas crowns and porcelain veneers must be manufactured in a laboratory. Another advantage to bonding is that only a very little bit of tooth enamel is removed, and anesthesia is not required (unless it's for a filling).

The disadvantages to dental bonding are limited. Dental bonding does not resist stains as well as crowns do, and dental bonding does not last as long as other restorative procedures such as veneers and fillings. In rare instances, bonding materials have been known to chip and break off the tooth.

Many cosmetic dentists view dental bonding as best suited for minor cosmetic changes and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure (front teeth). Because bonding can chip, it is very important to avoid practices such as nail biting, chewing on ice and other hard food/objects, and using your teeth to open things.