Composite Tooth Bonding

Composite tooth bonding is a technique in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of the teeth (Credit: Strochka)

What is composite tooth bonding? Bonding or resin material is formed into a thin covering and used to conceal the tooth and improve its appearance. It can be used to fix chips or cracks, change the shape or color of a tooth or even make crooked teeth look straighter. Your cosmetic dentist can perform tooth bonding in one office visit.

The first step entails matching the material with the color of the existing tooth. Then a drill is used to roughen the enamel surface of the tooth, so that there is a smooth transition from the existing tooth to the bonding material. A conditioning gel is placed on the tooth to ‘open’ the enamel, ensuring a better bond to the tooth.

A resin adhesive is placed on the tooth, like a very thin film of glue, to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The bonding material is then applied to the tooth and shaped to the desired form. A high intensity-curing laser is used to harden the material and polished to a high finish.

Composite tooth bonding costs around $200-500 per tooth. In most cases, tooth bonding lasts for 3-7 years.