Bonding

Bonding involves using tooth-colored composite resin to improve the shape, size or color of your teeth. It can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. It is typically used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. Bonding is also used to filled small cavities.

What's the Procedure for Having a Tooth Bonded?

Preparation. Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth, the tooth needs to be drilled to change its shape, or the chip is near the nerve. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your tooth.
The bonding process. Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, putty-like resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. A bright, usually blue, light, or laser is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
Time-to-completion. Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.