When your smile isn’t as beautiful as you’d like, there are many options to correct it. Some options, like veneers, require multiple visits to the dentist to change the appearance of your teeth completely. Bonding, however, is a simpler option that restores or improves your smile in one visit.

What is Tooth Bonding?

Tooth bonding involves making the surface of a tooth coarse, applying a tooth-colored resin, and then using a special light to harden the material. This bonds the substance to the tooth, correcting cracks, chips, and discoloration, along with repairing cavities. Bonding is also used to fill the spaces between teeth, change their shape, or rebuild them when their roots are exposed. 

When compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, including veneers or crowns, bonding is inexpensive and time-effective. Your dentist can repair a single tooth in one visit and doesn't need to remove as much tooth enamel as other options. When bonding a cavity, you’ll commonly require local anesthesia. With proper oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoiding harmful habits (e.g., nail biting and smoking), bonding can last at least 10 years or more.

The Process of Tooth Bonding

In most cases, tooth bonding takes less than an hour per tooth. Your dentist will select the resin that most closely matches the appearance of your existing teeth. Then, they’ll prepare the tooth by roughing the surface so the adhesive will adhere better.

The putty-like substance, once in place, is hardened using blue light or a laser. The dentist then perfects the tooth into the right shape, and polishes it to match the rest of your teeth. 

If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, or want to correct a small imperfection in your smile, turn to Dental Wellness of Milford. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Steven Johnson, DDS, has provided exceptional dental care to patients of all ages. To find out more about this Milford, OH dentist, visit his website, or give the office a call at (513) 575-9600 to make an appointment.