Cosmetic bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve a patient’s smile.
Benefits of Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is a quick and affordable way to correct a variety of dental flaws, including:
- Cracks
- Discoloration
- Gaps
- Low Bite Pressure (caused by short or uneven teeth)
- Tooth decay
Procedure for Cosmetic Bonding
Preparation
Little advanced 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 to adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored resin is then applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape. A special light is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim, shape and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
Completion Time
Cosmetic bonding usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.
At Byerly Family Dentistry, we invite you to contact our office for more information about cosmetic bonding. In some cases, all it takes is a single visit to complete your bonding work, so the sooner you set up an appointment, the sooner you can start picturing your new and improved smile.