Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksPros & ConsCare & LifespanCostFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Pros & Cons
Care & Lifespan
Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth bonding, also known as dental bonding, is acosmetic procedureto correct tooth discoloration, yellowing, staining,chippingor cracking, minorcavities, or gaps between teeth. With this approach, a specializedcomposite resinis used to improve the appearance of teeth, making them brighter, whiter, and more even.
If you’re considering this treatment, it’s important to understand how it works, what it can and cannot fix, and how to care for bonded teeth. This article provides a quick overview of teeth bonding as a way to fix your smile.
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How Does Teeth Bonding Work?
In this cosmetic procedure, a tooth-colored substance, or dental restoration, is affixed (bonded) to an existing tooth or teeth. The material used for teeth bonding is a clay-like plastic composite similar in consistency to what your dentist uses for dental fillings.
There are two primary approaches taken to applying this composite to the teeth. These are:
Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain VeneersPorcelainveneersare another cosmetic option for making more minor corrections to your smile. These are shells created to go over existing teeth. While highly effective, the treatment is typically more expensive and extensive than teeth bonding.
Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelainveneersare another cosmetic option for making more minor corrections to your smile. These are shells created to go over existing teeth. While highly effective, the treatment is typically more expensive and extensive than teeth bonding.
Preparation
Before the process, the cosmetic dentist will spend time preparing the specialized composite. Since the idea is to create a natural-looking, unblemished smile, they will work to ensure the resin matches the color of surrounding teeth.
The Dental Bonding Process
Once the composite is ready, there are several steps to the teeth bonding process:
Indirect Teeth BondingSince indirect teeth bonding relies on creating the dental restoration outside of the office, you’ll need multiple appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist takes an impression of the affected area and sends it to a laboratory. There, specialized technologies are used to craft the restoration. The second appointment is to bond/deliver the composite shell.
Indirect Teeth Bonding
Since indirect teeth bonding relies on creating the dental restoration outside of the office, you’ll need multiple appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist takes an impression of the affected area and sends it to a laboratory. There, specialized technologies are used to craft the restoration. The second appointment is to bond/deliver the composite shell.
Time to Completion
The typical direct bonding procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. Much depends on the level of your dentist’s experience and the scope of the work you need done. No recovery period is necessary, and you should be able to eat normally on the same day.
If you’re having an indirect bonding procedure, you’ll need one appointment to take an impression of the affected area and a second to adhere the composite.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth Bonding
Like any cosmetic dental procedure, teeth bonding has its own set of advantages and disadvantages when compared to other methods of smile correction. Understanding these is critical for making an informed decision about whether this treatment is right for you.
Advantages of Teeth Bonding
Teeth bonding is widely performed. In fact, a survey of cosmetic dentistry practices in 2015 found it to be the second most applied procedure.There are plenty of reasons for this popularity.
The advantages of teeth bonding include:
Disadvantages of Teeth Bonding
When compared with other cosmetic dental treatments, there are also some limitations with teeth bonding. These include:
Composite Bonding: Care and Lifespan of Bonded Teeth
Generally speaking, bonded teeth can last 15 years, but they’ll likely need replacing within three to 10 years.Much depends on how well you take care of your teeth afterward. Poor oral care and habits can damage the restoration or cause staining and discoloration. Knowing how to take care of your bonded teeth helps ensure their longevity.
Caring for Bonded Teeth
While no specific, special care is needed for bonded teeth, good oral hygiene habits can go a long way in preserving their appearance. What does this mean? Here’s a quick breakdown of dental restoration care basics:
Lifespan of Bonded Teeth
Ultimately, bonded composites are a durable means of correcting a smile but not a permanent solution. They’re expected to last five to 10 years, with some lasting 15 years or longer.
In comparison, the typical lifespan of porcelain veneers, at 20 to 25 years, is considerably longer. With good care, they’re a long-term solution to cosmetic issues.
Cost of Teeth Bonding
Compared to other treatments, teeth bonding tends to be less expensive. Typical costs range based on the specific case from $925 to $2,500 per tooth.
As with many dental treatments, however, the amount you pay depends on the specific treatment needed and yourinsurance plan. In many cases, cosmetic procedures are not covered if there isn’t a medical or dental health need.
Summary
Teeth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can fix chipped or cracked teeth, correct gaps or spaces between teeth, remove staining and discoloration, or correct other aesthetic issues. Typically performed in a single visit, the dentist directly applies a tooth-like composite substance, or restoration, to the affected tooth or teeth.
To ensure the restoration lasts, it’s important to develop effective dental hygiene habits, avoiding hard-to-chew foods and teeth whitening strips or procedures. It’s a common, well-established, and highly successful option for smile correction.
A Word From Verywell
Improving the appearance of your teeth isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about feeling better and more comfortable in your smile. Teeth bonding can be a great option to fix your smile; it’s well-tolerated, effective, and commonly used. If you’re thinking about this treatment, talk to your dentist about your options.
The resin composite used for teeth bonding is durable but does have a shelf-life. With good oral care, bonding can last up to 15 years; however, it’s generally expected to last five to 10 years.Bonded teeth are also susceptible to staining and discoloration if you don’t keep up with good oral habits.Learn MoreThe Options for Direct and Indirect Dental Restoration
The resin composite used for teeth bonding is durable but does have a shelf-life. With good oral care, bonding can last up to 15 years; however, it’s generally expected to last five to 10 years.Bonded teeth are also susceptible to staining and discoloration if you don’t keep up with good oral habits.
Learn MoreThe Options for Direct and Indirect Dental Restoration
The resin composite used for teeth bonding attaches directly onto tooth surfaces, like cement. In most cases, no enamel needs to be removed, so it’s a non-invasive and reversible treatment.It can restore the smile’s appearance, take on some cavities and cracked or chipped teeth, fix gaps between teeth, or remove stains or discoloration.Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
The resin composite used for teeth bonding attaches directly onto tooth surfaces, like cement. In most cases, no enamel needs to be removed, so it’s a non-invasive and reversible treatment.It can restore the smile’s appearance, take on some cavities and cracked or chipped teeth, fix gaps between teeth, or remove stains or discoloration.
Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Learn MoreWhat’s the Difference Between Veneers and Lumineers?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Direct bonding.Sharma Y, Biswas A, Shastri S.Bonding in dentistry – latest advancement.SSRG-IJMS. 2020;7(04):1-4. doi:10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V7I4P101American Dental Association.Veneers vs. dentures: which one is right for you?Cardoso M, de Almeida Neves A, Mine A, et al.Current aspects on bonding effectiveness and stability in adhesive dentistry.Australian Dental Journal. 2011;56:31-44. doi:10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01294.xAmerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Cosmetic dentistry: state of the industry 2015.Tezvergil-Mutluay A, Pashley D, Mutluay MM.Long-term durability of dental adhesives.Curr Oral Health Rep. 2015;2(4):174-181. doi:10.1007/s40496-015-0070-yAdditional ReadingDentaly.org.Dental bonding: alternatives, costs and care for composite resin teeth.NewMouth.com.Dental bonding (types, materials & procedure).
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Direct bonding.Sharma Y, Biswas A, Shastri S.Bonding in dentistry – latest advancement.SSRG-IJMS. 2020;7(04):1-4. doi:10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V7I4P101American Dental Association.Veneers vs. dentures: which one is right for you?Cardoso M, de Almeida Neves A, Mine A, et al.Current aspects on bonding effectiveness and stability in adhesive dentistry.Australian Dental Journal. 2011;56:31-44. doi:10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01294.xAmerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Cosmetic dentistry: state of the industry 2015.Tezvergil-Mutluay A, Pashley D, Mutluay MM.Long-term durability of dental adhesives.Curr Oral Health Rep. 2015;2(4):174-181. doi:10.1007/s40496-015-0070-yAdditional ReadingDentaly.org.Dental bonding: alternatives, costs and care for composite resin teeth.NewMouth.com.Dental bonding (types, materials & procedure).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Direct bonding.Sharma Y, Biswas A, Shastri S.Bonding in dentistry – latest advancement.SSRG-IJMS. 2020;7(04):1-4. doi:10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V7I4P101American Dental Association.Veneers vs. dentures: which one is right for you?Cardoso M, de Almeida Neves A, Mine A, et al.Current aspects on bonding effectiveness and stability in adhesive dentistry.Australian Dental Journal. 2011;56:31-44. doi:10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01294.xAmerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Cosmetic dentistry: state of the industry 2015.Tezvergil-Mutluay A, Pashley D, Mutluay MM.Long-term durability of dental adhesives.Curr Oral Health Rep. 2015;2(4):174-181. doi:10.1007/s40496-015-0070-y
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Direct bonding.
Sharma Y, Biswas A, Shastri S.Bonding in dentistry – latest advancement.SSRG-IJMS. 2020;7(04):1-4. doi:10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V7I4P101
American Dental Association.Veneers vs. dentures: which one is right for you?
Cardoso M, de Almeida Neves A, Mine A, et al.Current aspects on bonding effectiveness and stability in adhesive dentistry.Australian Dental Journal. 2011;56:31-44. doi:10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01294.x
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Cosmetic dentistry: state of the industry 2015.
Tezvergil-Mutluay A, Pashley D, Mutluay MM.Long-term durability of dental adhesives.Curr Oral Health Rep. 2015;2(4):174-181. doi:10.1007/s40496-015-0070-y
Dentaly.org.Dental bonding: alternatives, costs and care for composite resin teeth.NewMouth.com.Dental bonding (types, materials & procedure).
Dentaly.org.Dental bonding: alternatives, costs and care for composite resin teeth.
NewMouth.com.Dental bonding (types, materials & procedure).
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