When you think of a beautiful smile, you probably think of bright, white, straight teeth. If your smile doesn’t fit this description today, that doesn’t mean it never will. In fact, with dental bonding, you have one of the easiest, fastest and most affordable cosmetic dental treatments available to repair chipped, cracked or stained teeth.

During a dental bonding procedure, a dentist applies a tooth-colored resin (plastic) to your tooth and then uses a special light to harden or “bond” the material to the tooth. It may seem simple, but the ability to bond restorative materials to enamel has, in fact, revolutionized your dentist’s ability to prevent and prepare cavities, as well as improve the overall appearance of your smile.

Bonding is commonly used to:

- Restore decayed, cracked and chipped teeth
- Improve the appearance of stained teeth
- Close spaces between gapped teeth
- Change the shape of teeth

Bonding vs. Crowns and Veneers

Bonding, crowns and veneers are all cosmetic dental procedures that can boost your smile from average to brilliant. Bonding, however, is a less expensive, less complicated alternative to crowns and veneers.

Some dentists feel that bonding is best suited for:

- Small cosmetic changes
- Temporary corrections of cosmetic defects
- Teeth with little bite pressure (especially front teeth)

Another benefit of bonding is the time it can save you. Unlike veneers and crowns, which are custom-made in an off-site laboratory and require multiple visits to complete, a bonding procedure is performed in your dentist’s office and generally takes just one visit!

Bonding does have limitations, however. While the material used in bonding is somewhat stain-resistant, crowns have proven to resist stains better. Bonded teeth are also more vulnerable to chipping and breaking than crowns, veneers and fillings, so you should refrain from chewing on ice, pencils and your fingernails.

The Bonding Procedure

The bonding procedure is a simple three-step procedure that takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth to complete:

-First, your dentist prepares the tooth (very little enamel is removed in preparation for bonding).

-Next, your dentist uses a shade guide to select a composite resin that closely matches the natural color of your teeth. A conditioning material is then applied to help the resin adhere to the tooth.

-Finally, your dentist uses an ultraviolet light or laser to harden the resin.

How to Care for Bonded Teeth

Contrary to popular belief, there are no tricks to caring for your teeth -- bonded or not. Good oral hygiene is all it takes. That means brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, maintaining a nutritious diet and visiting your dentist regularly.

Think you’re a good candidate for bonding? Only a dentist can give you the right answer. Call us at 1-866-970-9583 to find a great dentist in your area.

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