Can I Improve the Appearance of My Smile?

What is bonding and what can it do?
When your dentist bonds your teeth, he or she attaches (bonds) a natural-looking material to your tooth surface. Bonding can close a small gap between teeth, repair a chipped or fractured tooth, or cover up discolored teeth.

Bonding can be performed in one or more appointments, depending on your needs, and normally without the need for anesthesia.

What about stained teeth?
Sometimes teeth become badly discolored as a result of taking certain medications (like tetracycline antibiotic) during childhood. Bonding effectively masks these stains.

A popular method used to treat moderately discolored teeth is called “bleaching.”  Bleaching is most often used on stains that cannot be removed with routine professional cleaning. It usually requires three to five office visits and a touch-up every two to four years.  As with bonding, no anesthesia is needed during treatment.

Why does my dentist recommend a crown instead of bonding?
Although bonding sometimes substitutes the need for a crown (cap), severely fractured, decayed or badly damaged teeth require the strength and durability of a crown.  This is especially true with back teeth which are subject to greater wear and abrasion. 

When is bonding a dental health benefit?
Bonding can not only improve your appearance, it can also be used to prevent root decay. As a restorative procedure, bonding will protect roots exposed by gum recession.

Children can often benefit from a form of bonding known as “sealants” which help prevent decay in back teeth.

The value of bonding does go beyond good looks and into good dental health with its ability to restore teeth and prevent tooth decay.
Cosmetic Dentistry - Words To Know:

Bleaching:  A technique sometimes used to brighten stained teeth.

Bonding:  Rebuilds, reshapes, restores and covers tooth defects through the use of tooth-colored materials.

Composite resin:  The plastic material that matches the natural tooth color and is shaped to rebuild or replace the missing part of the tooth.

Crown:  Completely covers or “caps” a damaged tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size.  The healthy tooth is reduced so that the crown can fit over it properly.