Composite Bonding

Bonding is the application of a tooth-colored composite resin (hard plastic) to repair decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored teeth. Unlike veneers, which are manufactured offsite in a laboratory and require a customized mold to achieve a proper fit, bonding can be done in a single visit. This procedure is called bonding because the white material bonds to the tooth. Dental bonding is not as strong and does not last as long as veneers. However, they are considered permanent restorations and they will give you an idea of how your teeth might look if you decide to get dental veneers in the future.

White fillings are made of tooth color resins that are designed to chemically bond to your enamel. Metal fillings, also known as amalgam or mercury fillings, on the other hand, do not bond to tooth structure. For metal filling to stay in place we often have to remove more tooth structure to create “seats” that the metal fillings fit into. We typically removed less tooth material for white fillings. They are very strong and will bond to your teeth and thus hold the tooth together better than metal fillings. White fillings also come in a variety of shades thus making it possible for Dentists to choose one that closely mimics your natural teeth.

Dentists use the term “diastema” to refer to the space (gap) that lies between two teeth. Tooth bonding and dental veneers provide ways we can “close” (fill in) the diastema. They are placed on the two teeth that lie on each side of the gap to reduce the gap’s overall width. Depending on the size of the gap, Smile DD Studio and the patient will decide on the correct proportions to completely or partially close the diastema.