Tooth bonding refers to a procedure to improve a patients teeth that have decayed, chipped, fractured or are discolored. The procedure is easy and cheap compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures. The plastic used in bonding can be reshaped and polished according to the look and feel of the surrounding teeth. People go in for bonding to improve the look and appearance of their teeth which have lost their color or are chipped. Tooth bonding is for people who have small gaps in their teeth, teeth that are chipped or cracked, and teeth that have lost their color or have decayed.

Tooth bonding is a procedure where a tooth filling is attached to the tooth. Bonding can be the right choice for teeth that are not very badly damaged, or if they are the front teeth. While the procedure may be the right choice for adults, it may not always be the right choice for children below the age of 18 years. A combination of tooth bonding and veneers may be suggested by the dentist if there is a lot of damage to the teeth. In some cases, where both veneers and tooth bonding do not work, the dentist may recommend a crown treatment.

Tooth bonding is preferred for a number of reasons by people; the bonding material not only acts as an alternative to dental fillings but also protects the teeth’s root when the gums reduce. Bonding is a simple procedure done in a dentist office. The dentist will help the patient choose the color of the bonding material. Next the dentist will roughen the surface where the bonding material is to be applied and the teeth will be painted slightly with a liquid conditioner that helps the bonding material stick better. Then the dentist will apply the bonding material to the tooth after it is shaped and made smooth. After that the dentist will harden the resin by using ultra violet rays or a laser. Once the material is hardened the dentist will shorten and reshape the resin according to the shape of the tooth. This entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. During recovery, a patient is advised to contact their dentist if they feel their teeth are sharp or some pieces of the bonding material are chipping off.

While tooth bonding is recommended, there are certain risks associated with it. The material that is used in this procedure is not as strong as normal teeth, and chewing hard substances can result in chipping of the bonding material. The number of years the bonding material lasts depends on how well the procedure was performed and the patients chewing habits.