Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic and Restorative Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored material matching your teeth's shade and color, is applied and bonded with a special light. Bonding can be used to restore natural function as well as provide for an immediate and impressive smile makeover.

For What Conditions Is Dental Bonding Considered?

Dental bonding is an option that can be considered:

To repair decayed teeth (tooth colored fillings)
To repair chipped or cracked teeth
To improve the appearance of discolored teeth
To close spaces between teeth
To add length to teeth in order to bring cosmetic proportion back to the teeth
To improve the shape of teeth
To protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed

What's the Procedure for Having a Tooth Bonded?

Preparation

Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Dr. Maxwell has a great eye for cosmetic shade and ideal shape of your teeth and will select custom shade composite materials that will blind with your tooth characteristics.

The bonding process

Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures allow for strong bonding to the tooth. The tooth-colored, putty-like composite is then applied, sculpted, and smoothed to the ideal shape. An ultraviolet light or laser is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, Dr. Maxwell will further shape and polish in order to match the shade and sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.

Time-to-completion

Dental bonding takes about 20 minutes per tooth to complete.