Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding

Information About Bonding

We are fortunate to live in a "Golden Age" of dentistry where a trip to the dentist doesn't have to be merely filling cavities.  We have the ability to change our not only our appearance but function of the teeth as well using strong adhesives to seamlessly join composite resin, porcelain inlays and onlays, as well as veneers and crowns.  Composite is a material that is placed directly on the teeth, hardened with a curing light, and polished to a shine.  Although it is used as a filling material, it can also be used to correct various problem areas in the anterior such as spacing between the teeth (also known as a diastema) or jagged and chipped areas.  When used in this manner, most often little prepping is needed and anesthetics are typically unnecessary.  

The following illustrates a classic diastema-closure case:

Diastema Closure With Composite

Over time teeth can become heavily chipped and worn.  This can be related to clenching and/or grinding, minor trauma, or simple misalignment of teeth.  If the wear and chipping is not too extensive, composite can be directly applied to the teeth to correct the problem.  The following shows how chipping and fractures can be corrected:

Tooth Discoloration And Fracture Repair

Depending on the situation, we can help to correct areas of your smile that you may want improved.  Bonding can be an excellent solution, and the best part is it can typically be accomplished without anesthesia and little modification of healthy tooth structure.