Dental Bonding

Dental bonding uses composite resin, the same tooth-coloured material used for tooth-coloured fillings, applied directly to the tooth and sculpted by hand. The resin is matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth, hardened with a curing light, and polished to blend with the natural tooth.

It is commonly used to repair chipped teeth, fill small gaps between teeth, cover areas of discolouration, and make minor changes to tooth shape or length, often in a single appointment with little or no tooth preparation.

• Minimal tooth preparation. Bonding usually needs little or no removal of natural tooth structure, unlike veneers or crowns.
• Single visit. The procedure is completed in one appointment, with no laboratory work or temporary restorations.
• Reversible in some cases. Because little enamel is removed, bonding can sometimes be replaced or removed without significant impact on the tooth underneath, depending on the situation.

Bonding is straightforward for most patients:

1. 1

   Surface preparation

   The tooth surface is lightly etched with a mild conditioning liquid to help the resin stick. A bonding agent is then applied.

2. 2

   Resin application and shaping

   Composite resin, chosen to match your tooth shade, is applied and sculpted by hand into the desired shape. This step takes skill and attention to detail to get a natural result.

3. 3

   Curing and polishing

   The resin is hardened with a curing light, then trimmed, shaped, and polished to blend with the surrounding tooth.

Composite resin is durable, but not as strong as porcelain veneers or crowns. There are some practical limitations:

• Bonding can chip or fracture under heavy force, especially on teeth that take a lot of biting load
• The resin can stain over time with coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco, though it can be polished or replaced
• It is generally best for smaller cosmetic concerns. Larger changes may be better addressed with veneers or other restorations

Bonded teeth are cared for with normal brushing and flossing. To protect the resin, avoid biting your fingernails, chewing ice, or using bonded teeth to open packages. Regular checkups let the dentist monitor the bonding over time, and touch-ups or replacement can be done if needed.