Dental Bonding

Bonding is a composite resin filling placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth.

Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements and even changing the colour of your teeth or reshaping.

If you have small gaps between your front teeth, or if you have chipped or cracked teeth, you may be a candidate for bonding. Bonding is also used for patients who have uneven teeth, gum recession or tooth decay. Bonding material is porous, so smokers will find that their bonding will yellow. If you think you are a candidate for bonding, discuss it with your cosmetic dentist.

Photos courtesy of Dr Albers, California

Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws by applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth.

A very mild etching solution is applied to your teeth to create very small crevices in the tooth's enamel structure. These small crevices provide a slightly rough surface permitting a durable resin to bond materials to your teeth. The resin is then placed on your tooth and high-intensity light cures the resin onto your tooth's surface - with each individual layer of resin hardening in just minutes. When the last coat has been applied to your tooth, the bonded material is then sculpted to fit your tooth and finely polished.

The resin comes in many shades so that it can be matched to your natural teeth. Due to the layers involved, this procedure will take slightly longer than traditional silver fillings because multiple layers of the bonding material are applied. Typically, bonding takes 1-2 hours depending on your particular case.

There are two types of bonding. The type indicated for your situation will depend upon whether you have a small area or a larger area that requires correction.

For small corrections, only one appointment is required where the filling, which is colour-matched to the tooth, is bonded to the surface for added strength. This is the most appropriate type for small fillings and front fillings as it may not be as durable for larger fillings.

For larger corrections, dental lab-created tooth-coloured fillings require two appointments and involve making a mold of your teeth and placing a temporary filling. A dental laboratory then creates a very durable filling to custom-fit the mold made from your teeth. These fillings are typically made of porcelain. The custom-fit filling is then bonded to your tooth on your return visit. This type is even more natural looking, more durable and more stain resistant.

Unlike silver fillings, composite bonding expands just like your teeth and is much less likely to cause cracks in your tooth. Composites bond directly to the tooth providing support.

While the traditional silver fillings last about seven years, these composites should last seven to eleven years.  

Please ask your dentist for further information.  

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