Dental bonding can improve the appearance of chipped, broken, cracked and stained teeth and fill in spaces between teeth. Dentists apply a thin layer of tooth-colored composite resin to the teeth to restore chips and cracks, fill in gaps or cover stains, and provide patients with a more attractive and functional smile.

First, a thin layer of plastic material is applied to the tooth’s surface. Then the dentist sculpts the bonding material to the desired shape and bonds it to the tooth using a special light. The bonding material comes in many colors so it will be possible to match the shade of your teeth. Once the plastic has hardened, it is polished until it is entirely smooth.

The bonding procedure can often be completed in one to two hours in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, plastic resin is not as resilient as natural tooth enamel, so it may stain, chip or break over time. Bonding usually lasts between three and five years before any restoration becomes necessary.