Cosmetic dental bonding is the process of applying a tooth-colored composite resin material to improve the appearance of a tooth.
This cosmetic dental process improves the aesthetics of your smile while allowing the tooth to maintain a natural appearance. In order to bond a tooth, tooth-colored resin material is added to the tooth surface to build it up to the desired shape.
Dental bonding is often used to:
- Correct the shape of a chipped tooth
- Correct the appearance of a cracked tooth
- Provide more even tooth color
- Close small gaps between teeth
- Enhance your smile by correcting uneven teeth
- Repair chips and cracks
- Cover stains and discoloration
Advantages of teeth bonding over other cosmetic treatments include:
- The dental bonding procedure can be a less expensive and affordable treatment than other cosmetic options like porcelain veneers or dental crowns
- An appointment for bonding treatment usually takes less than one hour to complete in a single visit, unlike veneers which may require multiple visits
- Bonding usually allows the tooth’s structure to be preserved
Bonding may sometimes be preferred over veneers or crowns but may not be as long-lasting or durable. Bonding material can stain from coffee, tea, tobacco, or some foods so proper home care is important.