Dental bonding is tooth colored resin material that adheres to tooth structure, It is transparent and blends nicely with the existing shade of your teeth and additions to your teeth can be almost invisible to the eye. As an aded benefit, the bonding procedure can be completed in only one dental visit and unless there is decay present, anesthesia is not necessary. Unlike crowns and veneers, dental bonding can be completed without substantial removal of your natural tooth structure. A disadvantage of dental bonding is that the material can chip, fracture, or wear in areas of high bitging force such as on back teeth. Bonding is primarily used on front teeth since biting pressure is lower than on back teeth. Bonding is not as durable as other cosmetic dental procedures such as crowns or porcelain veneers and can stain from tobacco and red wine.
Dental bonding typically takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours per tooth to complete. As long as no decay is present, patients rarely need anesthesia. The tooth area to be bonded is first cleaned with an air abrasion device that sprays a sand-like material and then a series of chemicals is applied to make your tooth adhere to the bonding resin. After application of the resin, it is hardened with a high intensity light. The bonding is then sculpted and polished so that it is virtually indistinguishable from the natural tooth structure.
Dental bonding is typically a lower cost procedure that other cosmetic procedures because it is usually complete in less time and does not involve the fabrication of laboratory produced restorations. Most bonding starts at approximately $500 per tooth and fees are generally structured according to the time required to complete the procedure.
Dental bonding takes less time for completion but the result does not last as long as restorations that are made of more durable materials such as porcelain and high strength ceramics. Typically most dental bonding will need replacement in 5 to 7 years depending on the biting forces placed on them. These restorations to no retain the high luster as do dental porcelains.