Bonding

During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth. Bonding is one of the quickest and most affordable treatments in cosmetic dentistry.

What bonding can fix

• Small chips and cracks
• Discolored spots or stains that whitening cannot lift
• Small gaps between teeth
• Teeth that are slightly short or uneven
• Exposed root surfaces where gums have pulled back
• Cavities, as a tooth-colored filling

Bonded fillings

Tooth bonding can also be used for fillings instead of amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than silver amalgam fillings. Bonded fillings can be used on front and back teeth depending on the location and extent of tooth decay. Compare the options on our fillings page.

How bonding is done

Bonding usually takes one visit, and often no numbing is needed unless we are filling a cavity:

1. We choose a shade of composite resin that matches your natural teeth.
2. The surface of the tooth is lightly roughened and a conditioning liquid is applied so the resin bonds well.
3. The resin is applied, shaped and smoothed to the right form.
4. A special light hardens it, and the tooth is polished to match the shine of your other teeth.

Each tooth usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and you can eat and go about your day right away.

Benefits and trade-offs

Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and usually can be completed in one visit to our office. Very little natural tooth is removed, which makes it one of the most conservative cosmetic options. However, bonding can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your doctor. The bonding generally can be easily patched or repaired in one visit.

Caring for bonded teeth

• Brush and floss as usual, and keep up with regular checkups
• Limit coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, especially in the first two days
• Do not bite fingernails, pens or ice
• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth

With good care, bonding commonly lasts several years before it needs a touch-up.

Is bonding right for you?

Bonding is a good fit for small, cosmetic repairs on teeth that are otherwise healthy, especially front teeth that do not take heavy biting force. It is less suited to large repairs on back teeth, or to people who want to change the color of many teeth at once. In those cases a crown, veneers or teeth whitening may give a longer-lasting result. Because the resin is matched to your current shade, whiten first if you plan to, then bond.

Cosmetic bonding is usually not covered by insurance, while bonded fillings often are; see our financial information page. Planning a bigger change? See all our cosmetic dentistry options or request an appointment.