Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding can be used to restore, recontour and enhance the appearance of your front teeth! With dozens of shades and hues to choose from, cosmetic composites have a very life-like appearance that mimics the appearance of natural teeth. If your teeth have chips or small gaps between them, cosmetic bonding may be the choice for you

Cosmetic dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured composite resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to a tooth and hardened with a special light. The material "bonds" strongly to the tooth to improve or completely restore a person's smile. This procedure is used primarily on front teeth, but it is very similar to one that is used to do tooth-coloured fillings on back teeth. The main difference is that with bonding, usually little or no tooth structure is removed. Cosmetic bonding can be used on a single tooth to correct a chip or discoloured area or on multiple teeth to significantly change the appearance of your smile.

When is cosmetic bonding used?

Cosmetic dental bonding is an option that can be considered:

To repair chipped or cracked teeth
To improve the appearance of discoloured teeth
To close spaces between teeth
To make teeth look longer
To change the shape of teeth
To protect or improve the appearance of a tooth's root where the gums have receded

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Advantages of dental bonding

Dental bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike veneers and crowns, which are customized tooth coverings that must be manufactured in a lab, cosmetic bonding can often be done in one office visit unless multiple teeth are involved. Another advantage, compared with veneers and crowns, is that very little tooth structure is removed. Although it is not as strong as porcelain, it can usually be repaired if it breaks. In simple situations, dental anesthesia may not even be necessary.

Disadvantages of dental bonding

The composite resin material used in cosmetic bonding is an excellent restorative material. However, it does have a few drawbacks. It is not as strong as porcelain veneers and crowns so it may chip or break. In addition, it has a tendency to stain or discolour over time, although this can often be solved by re-polishing the restoration.

Because of some of the limitations of dental bonding, some dentists view it as best suited for small cosmetic changes such as temporary correction of cosmetic defects or correction of teeth with very low bite pressure. It is best to consult with your dentist about the best cosmetic approach for your particular problem.

The lifespan of bonding materials for the teeth depends on how much bonding was done and your oral habits. Typically, however, bonding material lasts from three years up to about 10 years before it needs to be touched up or replaced.

What to avoid with cosmetic bonding

Cosmetic bonding is strong but not as strong as natural teeth and it can chip or dislodge. If you decide to proceed with cosmetic bonding you should avoid biting on hard objects such as pencils, ice and fingernails. If you have bonding on multiple front teeth, a brux guard is usually recommended to prevent breakage due to night-time clenching and grinding.

What to expect

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 or it is necessary to change the shape of the tooth. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin colour that will closely match the colour of your tooth. In larger cases, X-rays and photos will be taken.

The bonding process. Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and several bonding agents are applied. A tooth-coloured, composite resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. A bright blue light is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, it is shaped and polished to match the rest of the tooth.