If you have teeth that are chipped, cracked, broken, or stained, you may not need to invest in porcelain veneers to fix the appearance of your smile.  These days, more and more cosmetic dentistry patients are turning to cosmetic dental bonding as a budget-friendly way to perfect their smiles.

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the application of a tooth-colored composite material to the tooth.  This material is then sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished for a natural-looking finish.  Bonding is a great way to mend minor dental flaws, fix broken teeth, or close small gaps in a patient’s smile.

To begin the dental bonding process, the dentist first applies a gentle phosphoric acid to the tooth or teeth to be treated.  This makes the surface of the tooth rough so that the bonding has something to adhere to, and it is painless.  Next, the dentist applies the bonding material, which is similar in consistency to putty, to the surface of the tooth and shapes and sculpts the material until the desired look is achieved.  To complete the process, a special light is used to harden the material, which is then polished for a smooth finish and a seamless look.

Dental bonding has a number of benefits for cosmetic dentistry patients.  This procedure is less expensive than porcelain veneers, and is sometimes even covered by dental insurance.  Dental bonding is also quick: it requires only one office visit and can be completed in less than one hour per tooth.  Anesthesia is not necessary, and more of the natural tooth structure is preserved with bonding, as opposed to veneers or crowns.

Bonding isn’t for everyone, though.  The material used in dental bonding can become stained over time, unlike veneers or crowns.  Smoking is an especially strong staining agent, so smokers are most likely best suited to another cosmetic dentistry treatment.  Dental bonding is also less durable than veneers and crowns, though with proper care bonding can last up to seven years.
Source:
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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These days, more and more cosmetic dentistry patients are turning to cosmetic dental bonding as a budget-friendly way to perfect their smiles.