Very little preparation is necessary for dental bonding and anesthesia is generally not required beforehand. We will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that most closely matches the color of your existing teeth.

The surface of your tooth will be etched and a special cleaning/conditioning solution will be applied to allow the bonding resin to adhere to your tooth. Next, we will apply the bonding resin which is putty-like in consistency and can be molded into the desired shape necessary for your specific situation. Once the resin has been properly placed, molded and smoothed, we will use a special ultraviolet light that quickly hardens the resin.

After the resin has hardened completely, we will be able to fine-tune the shape of the resin as well as polish the material until it matches the sheen and overall texture of your natural teeth.

The entire process may take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete depending on your application requirements and how severe the initial issue was.

In most cases, dental bonding performed at Dickinson Dental uses the same material as a filling. The material is a "tooth colored" composite resin that closely matches your natural teeth. The difference between bonding and a filling is that there usually is not decay with dental bonding. How long dental bonding actually lasts depends on the bonding thickness and your oral habits such as tooth grinding, biting your nails, chewing hard foods, and the location of the bonding. Teeth bonded at the cutting service of a tooth may not last as long as bonding between teeth. This is why in some situations a crown or Lumineers may be recommended over dental bonding. Lumineers and porcelain crowns are a much better and permanent solution to treating many of the same problems that can be treated with dental bonding.

Do you have a chip? We recommend coming in for a consultation first to see if dental bonding is adequate for your specific situation. Call Dickinson Dental today and ask how you can get a free digital smile makeover. (281) 534-7112 or Request an appointment through our website.