COSMETIC TREATMENTS

Bonding

Bonding is the art of attaching composite resin to teeth.  I can be an alternative to veneers, and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misaligned.  It is the same procedure that is used to restore teeth using tooth-colored fillings.

How does it work?

The tooth prepared by removing any sharp angles or jagged edges then a weak acid (about the strength of lemon juice) is place on the enamel lightly etching the surface and a bonding liquid is applied. The liquid is cured with a special light and the composite resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist.  The resin is cured with the light, then trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations

Cosmetic bonding can often be completed in a single office visit and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair.