Dental bonding is a fast and easy way to make minor changes to your dentition. Bonding can be used to fill spaces between your teeth; to whiten teeth; to add length, width, or both; to cover craze lines and other minor imperfections; to repair chipped, broken, or fractured teeth; and more. Dental bonding is also economical and painless, and several teeth can undergo bonding treatment at the same time, eliminating extra visits; and because the bonding material blends into your surrounding dentition, no one will ever be the wiser.
What is Dental Bonding
Bonding is an easy dental treatment that can repair many minor dental issues and consists of adding a composite resin material to your teeth. The composite resin is the same material that is used for white dental fillings. It is naturally white and can be tinted to blend in with your tooth structure and match your surrounding teeth. Typically, up to three teeth can be bonded at the same visit and usually in less than an hour.
What Dental Bonding Entails
Dental bonding is a relatively easy procedure. The steps include:
Tooth Preparation: Your tooth needs to be free from plaque, tartar, etc., for a strong bond to be formed. Therefore, your dentist will clean and polish your tooth. Next, he or she will etch your tooth (roughen the surface) using a tooth conditioner containing up to 40 percent phosphoric acid, then apply a bonding agent that is a liquid plastic material.
Bonding: Next the composite resin material is added either by painting it on in layers, or using it as a putty-like material and forming it to the tooth.
Curing: A special light is then used to cure (harden) the resin material.
Trimming and Shaping: Once the composite is cured, your dentist will trim and shape it until you are happy with the final result.
Final Polishing: Next, your new restoration will be buffed and polished.
