Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is a simple, conservative way to improve the appearance of your smile using tooth-colored composite resin. It can repair chips, close small gaps, reshape teeth, and create a more balanced, natural-looking smile often in just one visit.

Case 1: Improving Tooth Shape After Braces

This patient had naturally small upper lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front teeth). During orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist intentionally left a small amount of space so the teeth could be reshaped with composite bonding.

By carefully adding tooth-colored composite, we were able to create teeth that are more proportional and blend naturally with the rest of the smile.

Before and After Photos:

Case 2: Repairing Chipped Front Teeth

This patient had chipped upper front teeth (central incisors). Using composite bonding, we restored the original shape and contour of the teeth while matching the surrounding enamel for a natural appearance.

Before and After Photos

What Is Dental Bonding?

The term bonding is commonly used to describe the process of adding tooth-colored composite resin to improve the appearance of teeth. Composite can be used to repair chips, close spaces, reshape teeth, or correct minor cosmetic imperfections.

Technically, bonding refers to the adhesive process that securely attaches a material to the tooth. Composite resin is the material most often used, although porcelain restorations can also be bonded to teeth.

Why Choose Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding offers several advantages:

Conservative treatment. In many cases, little or no healthy tooth structure needs to be removed.
Natural-looking results. Composite can often be blended seamlessly with your existing teeth, especially when treating one or two teeth.
Affordable. Bonding typically costs less than porcelain veneers while providing excellent cosmetic improvement.
Completed quickly. Many bonding procedures can be finished in a single appointment.
Easy to repair. If the bonding becomes chipped or worn over time, it can often be repaired without replacing the entire restoration.

• Conservative treatment. In many cases, little or no healthy tooth structure needs to be removed.
• Natural-looking results. Composite can often be blended seamlessly with your existing teeth, especially when treating one or two teeth.
• Affordable. Bonding typically costs less than porcelain veneers while providing excellent cosmetic improvement.
• Completed quickly. Many bonding procedures can be finished in a single appointment.
• Easy to repair. If the bonding becomes chipped or worn over time, it can often be repaired without replacing the entire restoration.

Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers

Both composite bonding and porcelain veneers can create beautiful smiles, but each has its ideal use.

Composite bonding is often the best choice for repairing individual teeth, small chips, or minor shape differences while preserving the maximum amount of natural tooth structure.

Porcelain veneers may provide the most esthetic and durable result when multiple front teeth are being treated together and a complete smile makeover is desired.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your goals and help you decide which option is best for your smile.

— Ken Wylie, DMD