On this page · 6 sections
01Why it matters
Small chips and cracks can catch food, feel rough on your tongue, or change how a tooth looks. Bonding fills in the damaged spot with resin that matches your tooth color. It is a conservative repair, which means it keeps as much of your natural tooth as possible. Often little or no tooth enamel needs to be removed.
Bonding uses the same kind of resin as a tooth-colored filling. That is why the same material can fill a small cavity or cover a tooth root that shows because the gums have pulled back. Whether bonding fits your tooth is something the dentist decides after an exam.
Text version of this infographic
Step 1: the tooth surface is lightly roughened so the material can stick. Step 2: a tooth-colored resin is applied and shaped. Step 3: a special light hardens it. Step 4: it is trimmed and polished to blend with your tooth.
02How it works
The resin is a mix of plastic and fine, glass-like grains. It starts out soft, so the dentist can mold it to the shape of your tooth. A blue curing light then hardens it in place. The resin sticks well because the tooth surface is first coated with a mild gel and a bonding liquid.
03What happens
A bonding visit usually follows these steps:
- Choosing a shade. The dentist picks a resin color that matches your tooth.
- Preparing the tooth. The surface is lightly roughened and coated so the resin will stick. Numbing is often not needed unless decay is being removed.
- Shaping the resin. The resin is placed in thin layers and shaped by hand.
- Hardening. A curing light sets each layer.
- Polishing. The tooth is trimmed and polished so it looks smooth and natural.
A small repair can often be finished in one visit. [OFFICE TO CONFIRM: whether bonding to change the look of teeth, such as closing gaps, is offered at the office]. If you are interested, ask whether bonding is an option for you. If a treatment is not offered here, we will tell you where to go.
04Cost factors
The cost of bonding depends on several things:
- How many teeth are being repaired.
- How large the chip, crack, or gap is.
- Whether the bonding repairs damage or only changes how a tooth looks. Many insurance plans treat these differently.
- Your dental insurance plan. Call the office to check your plan.
- Payment options. Americana Family Dental accepts CareCredit, so ask whether it applies to your treatment.
05Caring for it
Bonded resin is not as strong as natural enamel or a crown. It can chip if you bite hard things, so avoid chewing ice, pens, or fingernails. Resin can also stain over time from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.
Keep up with regular checkups so the dentist can check the edges of the bonding. Tell the dentist if you have bruxism, which means grinding or clenching your teeth, since it can wear down or crack resin. Call the office if a bonded spot feels rough or sharp, or if it breaks off.
Need a chipped or decayed tooth repaired? See our dental fillings page.
06Questions people ask
How long does dental bonding last?
Bonding often lasts several years before it needs to be touched up or replaced. How long it lasts depends on where it is, how hard you bite, and habits like grinding or chewing hard objects.
Is bonding the same as a veneer?
No. Bonding is resin shaped right on the tooth, often in one visit, with little or no enamel removed. A veneer is a thin shell that covers the whole front of a tooth. Porcelain veneers usually need some enamel removed first.
Does dental bonding hurt?
Most bonding does not need numbing, because little or no tooth is removed. You may feel the tooth being shaped and polished. If decay is being removed, the dentist can numb the area first so you stay comfortable.
Does Americana Family Dental offer bonding?
Call the office at (407) 850-0133 and ask whether bonding is an option for you. Dr. Wael Sadek can examine the tooth and explain your choices, such as a filling or a crown.
Dr. Sadek is the family dentist at Americana Family Dental on Americana Blvd in Orlando. He reviews the health information on this site. Review date: [date pending review]