The cosmetic dentist's procedure of bonding, also known as composite bonding, can be used to repair a number of common and maybe not so common cosmetic problems. Composite Bonding can be used to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. Composite Bonding can be used to fill in the gaps between your teeth or to protect the root of a tooth. Bonding can also be used as an alternative to silver amalgam fillings (which contain mercury). Composite Bonding takes about 30 minutes to one hour to complete and is one of the most common of all cosmetic dentistry procedures.

The Composite Bonding Procedure

The cosmetic dentist begins the composite bonding procedure by selecting a shade of composite resin (bonding material) that is closest to the shade of your teeth. Then, the cosmetic dentist abrades the teeth involved and applies a liquid that helps the composite bonding material adhere. The composite bonding resin is then applied, smoothed into shape, and hardened with a high intensity light.
Once the composite bonding resin has hardened, the cosmetic dentist makes the final touches, and polishes the tooth until it resembles the other teeth. If more than one tooth is being repaired, it may take several visits to the cosmetic dentist in order to achieve the desired results.

The Cost of Bonding

The cost of bonding varies depending on the number of teeth that are repaired and the area of the country in which the procedure is performed.