Dental tooth bonding is a procedure used to correct dental gaps, chips, cracks and a wide variety of other cosmetic dental problems. Tooth bonding involves a tooth-colored resin material which is applied to teeth, and then hardened with a special light. This causes the resin to bond to the tooth, restoring and correcting the smile. Dental tooth bonding is considered for a variety of conditions:
- Decayed teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Teeth with gaps or spaces
- Teeth which appear too short
- Dental bonding can change the shape of teeth
- Dental bonding can be used as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
- Dental bonding can be used to protect any tooth’s root which has been exposed when the gums recede
Tooth bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of all cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike veneers and crowns, which must be manufactured in a laboratory, dental bonding usually can be done in one office visit. Additionally, less tooth enamel is removed compared to procedures involving veneers and crowns. Also, anesthesia is usually not required, unless the bonding involves a cavity.
Bonding is best suited for small cosmetic changes, temporary correction of cosmetic defects, and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure, such as front teeth.