Cosmetic Bonding

What is Cosmetic Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding is a process where we apply a putty-like substance to the tooth that needs to be fixed, and artistically smooth and sculpt it back to its original look and feel. It’s the same process we use to repair cavities with a tooth-colored filling with great results. Cosmetic bonding is one of the least expensive options to repair your smile. Bonded teeth are also strong and durable, and because we’re perfectionists when it comes to color-matching, they look exactly like your adjacent teeth.

What is the process?

The process is simple and usually requires no anesthesia. The doctor will use a shade guide to choose a composite resin color that closely matches the color of your natural teeth. He applies the composite resin to the tooth and molds or shapes the material to anatomically match the natural tooth. The entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the extent of the procedure.

Are there any risks involved?

The short answer is no. Cosmetic bonding doesn’t have any major risks, although, keep in mind that the composite resin used with the bonding procedure is not as strong as your natural tooth. It’s possible for the material to chip or even separate from your real tooth. Chipping or breaking, however, doesn’t occur as often with a crown or veneer. A bonded tooth may chip if you eat ice, chew on pens or pencils, bite your fingernails, tear open a bag of chips with your teeth, or even bite down on hard food or candy. The resin also isn’t as stain-resistant as other dental materials. You may develop some discoloration if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee or dark tea.

A healthy smile is a confidence booster, if you have discoloration, a chipped tooth, or a gap and you’re looking for an inexpensive repair, call our office at 805-568-3733 for a consultation. We can determine whether this procedure is right for you, and if not, recommend other options to improve the appearance of your teeth.