Dental Bonding Treatments

Cosmetic dental bonding refers to the restoration of teeth through the application of a tooth-colored composite resin. The procedure can reshape, recolor and restore the look of chipped or broken teeth. It is also useful for filling minor gaps in teeth. The dental bonding process can take between one and two hours, depending on an individual’s condition. As the process involves the placement of multiple layers, the procedure takes somewhat longer than fitting silver fillings. 

First, a dentist will roughen a tooth to create grooves in the enamel to allow room for the resin to set and bond with other materials. This resin is available in a diverse range of shades to match any patient’s teeth. Next, he or she will apply a conditioning liquid and apply the bonding material and mold it to a designated form. Then, the dentist will use a laser or light to harden the material. Finally, he or she will make any shape and shine adjustments.

Dental Bonding for Small Gaps and Other Minor Corrections

In cases of small corrections, a dentist will color-match a filling to a patient’s tooth and bond that filling to the tooth’s outer surface for additional strength. This is often the most appropriate solution for fillings of smaller size and fillings in front teeth because bonding materials are not always strong enough for larger dental fillings.