Bonding
Bonding
Dental bonding is a straightforward way to repair or reshape a tooth using a tooth-colored composite resin. It's often chosen for small chips, gaps, discoloration, or minor shape changes because it typically requires less removal of natural tooth structure than a veneer or crown, and can often be completed in a single visit.
When Bonding Is Commonly Used
- Chips and cracks — Composite resin restores the tooth's shape after minor damage.
- Gaps and spacing — Bonding can close small spaces between teeth without orthodontics.
- Discoloration — Resin can mask stains that don't respond well to whitening.
- Shape or length changes — Minor cosmetic reshaping to even out a smile.
What to Expect
The tooth surface is lightly prepared, the resin is shaped and applied in layers, then hardened with a curing light and polished to blend with surrounding teeth. Because no lab work is usually needed, bonding is generally completed in one appointment.
Planning Your Treatment
- Intraoral Cameras — Let you and your dentist review the tooth closely before deciding on treatment.
- Digital Smile Preview — Gives you a look at the planned cosmetic result before bonding begins.