If you have a chipped, slightly misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth that needs cosmetic restoration, we may suggest one-appointment bonding. The dentist can apply liquid composite resin, shaded to blend with your tooth's color, to rebuild a pleasing shape to your tooth. After hardening the resin with a curing light, he will artistically sculpt and polish the restoration. In just one visit, you can enjoy a beautiful new smile! Cosmetic bonding can be a viable, affordable alternative to porcelain veneers, but it lasts only 5 to 10 years with proper care. Bonding will not discolor as your natural tooth enamel will, so touch-up teeth whitening may be required to keep your natural teeth the same shade as the bonded area.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

• Repairs decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
• Repairs small chipped or cracked teeth
• Improves the appearance of discolored teeth or make cosmetic improvements
• Closes minor gaps and spaces between teeth
• Makes teeth look longer
• changes the color and shape of teeth
• Lightens stains
• Corrects mild crooked teeth to a certain degree
• A cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
• Protects a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede 
  

Procedure for Dental Bonding

1. First evaluation and bonding tooth preparation
   • A shade guide to select a composite resin color that closely match the color of your tooth
   • the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth
2. Application of bonding resin
   • The composite resin is then applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape
   • Light is used to harden the material
   • After the material is hardened, the resin is further trimmed, shaped and polished to match the tooth surface

Recovery Expectations

Since bonding does not result in the removal of any tooth structure, there should be little or no sensitivity.

Care for Dental Bondings

Simply follow good oral hygiene practices.

• Brush at least twice a day. It is good practice to brush after eating and before bedtime.
• Floss at least once to twice a day.
• Rinse with fluoride rinse before bed. Swish the fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes
• Be careful about chewing toffees, gum, grainy rolls and tough food in this area
• See your dentist for regular professional check-ups and cleanings