Dental Bonding Bonding is an exciting dental restorative technique and one of the most cost effective in all of dentistry.  A tooth colored composite resin is applied to your teeth to restore or improve your natural teeth.    Bonding can often be used to accomplish the following: - Close spaces between teeth - Repair chipped teeth - Lengthen teeth - Change the shape of a tooth - Whiten permanently stained teeth - Protect teeth roots exposed due to gum recession The Bonding process is simple, and often does not require an anaesthetic.  The tooth is etched, or roughened slightly, so that the composite will adhere to the tooth.  Your dentist will then select a shade of composite to match your existing teeth. It will be applied to the tooth and then shaped.  And finally, the composite is hardened with ultraviolet light.  The entire procedure generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth.

Advantages Bonding disturbs your natural tooth less than many alternative restorative procedures.  The tooth must be slightly roughened, but there are no large amounts of tooth surface removed. It can sometimes accomplish a similiar result to other restorative procedures at a small fraction of the cost. Dental Bonding can generally be accomplished in just one visit, unlike other procedures that may require several. Bonding can be easily "touched up" by your dentist as the restoration ages. Care for your bonding is the same as for your natural teeth; bruising, flossing, and regular teeth cleanings. Modern bonding materials have become more durable.   Generally bondings last from 4 to 10 years with "touch ups" being necessary.         Disadvantages Bonding composite materials are somewhat less stain resistant than veneers or crowns. Like veneers and crowns, bondings do not respond well to teeth whitening.  Patients should consider having their teeth whitened before their bonding procedure.  Your dentist will then select the appropriate shade of composite. Bonding materials are not as durable as other restorations and may require an occasional "touch up".   Even veneers and crowns have a finite service life but bondings do not generally last as long.