Bonding

Bonding is an alternative to veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.

How does it work?

In most cases, cosmetic bonding does not require numbing of the teeth and requires very little drilling.  The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid.  Then, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by Dr. Hill.  Dr. Hill uses an assortment of shades and opacities of resin to match your natural teeth.  The bonding liquid and resin are then hardened with a hand-held light. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.  The picture below shows correction of uneven teeth through a combination of resing bonding and Invisalign by Dr. Hill.

Considerations vs Porcelain Veneers

The bonding procedure is completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as porcelain used in veneers, it is more likely to stain, chip, dull or break depending on your habits and diet. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair, depending on your eating and oral hygiene habits.  Bonding can also be chipped or broken by night grinding (bruxism) or habits like biting fingernails or pens. Below:  This patient had a space between her front teeth that she wanted to close, but didn’t want any “drilling”.  After whitening, Dr. Hill closed the space with resing bonding.