Simple Steps To Better Dental Health
Search  
Help With Search
Help
space placeholder.space placeholder
Featuring consumer information from Columbia School of Dental & Oral Surgery
.
HomeFree E-mail
Oral Health Made Simple: Your Prescription For Knowledge
 PREVENT PROBLEMS
Small BoxAll About Cavities
Small BoxBrushing and Flossing
Small BoxFluoride
Small BoxMouth-Healthy Eating
Small BoxSealants
Small BoxTaking Care of Your Teeth
Small BoxTobacco
Small BoxYour Dental Visit
Small BoxMORE
 CONDITIONS
Small BoxBad Breath
Small BoxCavities
Small BoxCold Sores
Small BoxDry Mouth
Small BoxImpacted Tooth
Small BoxSensitive Teeth
Small BoxTMJ
Small BoxTooth Discoloration
Small BoxMORE
 TREATMENTS
Small BoxCrowns
Small BoxDentures
Small BoxFillings: The Basics
Small BoxGum Surgery
Small BoxImplants
Small BoxRoot Canal Treatment
Small BoxScaling and Root Planing
Small BoxWhitening
Small BoxMORE
 GENERAL TOPICS
Small BoxControlling Pain
Small BoxCosmetic Dentistry
Small BoxEmergencies
Small BoxFill, Repair, Replace
Small BoxKids And Teens
Small BoxOral Health and Your Body
Small BoxOrthodontics
Small BoxPeriodontics
Small BoxSeniors
Small BoxMORE
.
Step 1 Prevent ProblemsSimplestepsPrevent Problems
Step 2 Understand ConditionsSimplestepsUnderstand Conditions
Step 3 Explore TreatmentsSimplestepsExplore Treatments

go to Interactive Tools go to Parents' Guide go to News

Back to Cosmetric Dentistry
New reviewed by Columbia banner
.
.
Bonding

space placeholder.space placeholder
space placeholder.What Is It?.
space placeholder.What It's Used For.
space placeholder.Preparation.
space placeholder.How It's Done.
space placeholder.Follow-Up.
space placeholder.Risks.
space placeholder.When To Call a Professional.
space placeholder..
space placeholder

space placeholder
space placeholder.What Is It?
space placeholder

Bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin (plastic) to repair a tooth. Bonding can be used on teeth that are decayed, chipped, broken or discolored. The procedure is called bonding because the material bonds to the tooth. Unlike veneers, bonding can be done in a single visit. Veneers are another way to repair some teeth. They are made in a laboratory and require a customized mold to achieve a proper fit.

space placeholder
space placeholder.What It's Used For
space placeholder

Bonding is one of the easiest and least costly cosmetic dental treatments. The resin used in bonding can be shaped and polished to match the other teeth. Most often, bonding is used to make a discolored or chipped tooth look better. It also can be used to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer, or to change the shape or color of teeth.

Sometimes, bonding also is used to protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede.

space placeholder
space placeholder.Preparation
space placeholder

Little or no preparation usually is needed for bonding. Anesthesia often is not necessary.

space placeholder
space placeholder.How It's Done
space placeholder

Your dentist will use a shade guide to select the composite resin color that will most closely match the color of the tooth. Then he or she will slightly scratch or etch the surface of the tooth to roughen it. The tooth will be coated lightly with a conditioning liquid. This helps the bonding material to stick.

When the tooth is prepared, your dentist will apply the resin. It is tooth-colored and resembles putty. The dentist molds and smoothes the resin until it's the proper shape. Then it is hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser.

Once the bonding material is hard, your dentist will further trim and shape it. Then he or she will polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth.

The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. If you're having more than one tooth done, you may need several visits.

space placeholder
space placeholder.Follow-Up
space placeholder

Tea, coffee, cigarette smoke and other substances can stain the resin used in bonding. To prevent or minimize stains, you must to avoid eating or drinking anything that can stain for the first 48 hours after bonding is applied. In addition, brush your teeth often and have them cleaned regularly by a dental hygienist.
space placeholder
space placeholder.Risks
space placeholder

The composite resin used in bonding isn't nearly as strong as a natural tooth. Biting your fingernails or chewing on ice or a pen can chip the material. Bonding usually lasts several years before it needs to be repaired. How long it actually lasts depends on how much bonding was done and your habits.

space placeholder
space placeholder.When To Call a Professional
space placeholder

In the days after you have the bonding done, call your dentist if you notice sharp edges on the bonded teeth. Also call if your teeth feel strange or "off" when you bite down.

At any time, call your dentist if the bonding chips or if pieces fall out.
.
printer friendly format option iconPrinter-friendly version     
.
Last updated February 4, 2009
.
.
printer friendly format option iconPrinter-friendly version
 
  See Also . . .
Solution Sleuth
Considering Cosmetic Dentistry
Smile Makeovers: Cosmetic Dentistry Today
Terms and Conditions / Disclaimer.Privacy Policy.Editorial Policy.Contact Us.About Us.Site Map.
Powered by Aetna Dental Plans

© 2002-2009 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. External website links provided on this site are meant for convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement. These external links open in a different window.