Bonding

Bonding is an alternative to veneers, and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.

How does it work?

The tooth is sometimes lightly shaped (or prepared) for this procedure, followed by the etching of the tooth surface and application of a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a composite resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the composite resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding can last a few years, but this is variable in nature, as this type of restoration will often need repair at some point.