Cosmetic Dentistry
Is For Everyone!
Much like Veneers, bonding is a procedure that involves cementing a compound to cover up your existing tooth. The difference between them? Veneers must be created at a dental factory while cosmetic bonding is more like a putty or a paste-like substance that is applied directly onto your tooth. The bonding material is then custom shaped by your dentist.
Having a tooth bonded is a relatively easy procedure. Anesthesia is almost never required (unless the bonding is to fill a decayed tooth). The first step is for your dentist to roughen the surface of your tooth. He or she will then apply a conditioning compound. Next, your dentist will spread the resin directly onto each tooth and apply an ultraviolet light (or sometimes a laser) to harden the bonding material. After the material has hardened, your dentist will shape it by trimming it. The final step is to polish it to make it match the sheen of your natural tooth surface.
Bonding is one of the easiest form of cosmetic dentistry available for a few reasons. First, only a minimal amount of a person's original tooth needs to be removed to apply the bonding material. By comparison, Veneers require significantly more of your tooth to be trimmed. The second reason is it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes per tooth (which is minimal time) and everything can be performed at your dentist's office.
The drawback to bonding is the material is not nearly as strong as veneers; it can break and chip. Also, the compound is not nearly as stain-resistant as veneers or crowns. -edit done