Cosmetic dental bonding, sometimes referred to as tooth bonding, is a procedure where a composite resin is used to repair a tooth. Dental bonding can be used to lengthen teeth, realign crooked teeth, repair cracked teeth, or a chipped tooth, fill in an area where decay has been removed or change the contour and shape of a tooth. Bonding technology replaces silver fillings and can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Silver-Mercury Amalgam Fillings vs. Tooth Bonding

The first and most obvious difference between silver-amalgam fillings and tooth bonding is the appearance. Silver-mercury amalgam fillings are easily seen and distract from your smile, while often causing cracks in the teeth and weakening them over time. Tooth bonding with resin matches the color of your teeth, leaving nothing but a beautiful smile and actually strengthening the tooth in most cases. Another benefit of tooth bonding is the cost. The average silver fillings last somewhere between 6 to 8 years before it needs to be replaced. Dental bonding lasts anywhere between 6 to 11 years, which is a difference resulting in fewer visits to the dentist for fillings.

Dental Tooth Bonding Technology

Dental bonding works much the same way a painter would put a new coat of paint on your wall. First your tooth is cleaned just like a wall is scrubbed down. Next the tooth is etched with a solution to make it rough, similar to a painter sanding the existing paint on the wall. The etching is necessary to insure that the bonding resin adheres firmly to the tooth. The dentist then applies several layers of resin, curing each layer using an ultra-bright light that hardens the material. Once the final layer is applied and hardened the dentist sculpts the tooth to match the rest of your smile.

Tooth Bonding Candidates

Tooth bonding patients are typically looking for help with discolored teeth, small gaps between teeth, chipped teeth and shallow fillings.