Bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. The composite resin used in bonding can be shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Most often, bonding is used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It also can be used to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer or to change the shape or color of teeth.
These treatments are designed to hide all natural and acquired defects of the enamel surface by applying a thin layer of a composite to the tooth surfaces. After selecting the appropriate color, the composite is applied to the surface in order to determine the shape and size of the tooth. A polymerization lamp hardens the composite, and the whole surface is then smoothed out and polished. Bonding is often accompanied by contouring when correcting the shape of the teeth.
It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete the procedure. If you’re having more than one tooth done, you may need to schedule several visits. Tea, coffee, cigarette smoke and other substances can stain the resin. To prevent or minimize stains, it’s essential to avoid eating or drinking foods that can stain for the first 48 hours after any composite procedure.
