Composite Bonding

Composite tooth bonding is an aspect of cosmetic dentistry that can drastically improve the appearance of your smile. It is among the simplest and most economical cosmetic dental procedures, as it requires no customized tooth coverings from a dental laboratory. Frequently, it can be completed in just one office visit.

Composite bonding uses materials that mirror the look of a natural tooth to fix numerous inconsistencies such as broken, chipped, cracked, misshaped or uneven teeth, small gaps or gum recession.

This procedure seldom requires anesthesia- unless it is being used to fill a cavity- and preparation is a fairly simple process. A dentist prepares a tooth for composite bonding by applying a mild etching solution, which slightly roughens the tooth’s enamel by creating tiny crevices. The crevices make is possible for the bonding resin to adhere to the tooth. A powerful light is directed toward the resin, which causes it to harden and become permanently cemented to the tooth in a matter of minutes.

This process may be repeated to ensure the proper amount of resin has been applied. Once the last coat has been applied, the bonding material is shaped, sculpted and polished to fit the tooth precisely.

Composite bonding provides an extremely natural look, as the resin used in the process is available in multiple shades. However, the bonding material is porous, so smokers seeking composite bonding must be aware that their bonding will yellow with continued smoking.