Bonding

Bonding is the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to repair a decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored tooth. Bonding is done is a single visit, unlike veneers, dentures, and bridges which are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized mold to achieve a proper fit. Bonding is a very easy and inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure, which is mostly used to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It can also be used to fill gaps in a patient’s teeth to give a better looking smile. Because the bonding agents match the color of natural teeth, this procedure is also used as an alternative to amalgam fillings.

How is Bonding done?

Bonding is an easy procedure that is done is just a few steps. First, the doctor will use a shade guide to determine which resin matches the color of the patient’s teeth.

Once the color is selected, the tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance. Because the bonding resin is a tooth-colored composite material, the filling or restoration will not stand out and be noticeable to the naked eye like amalgam fillings. Almost all patients prefer the composite fillings over the amalgam fillings.