Dental Bonding: What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Steven Davidowitz, DDSDentist
Written byChris EllisUpdated on July 20, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
Medically reviewed by Steven Davidowitz, DDSDentist
Written byChris EllisUpdated on July 20, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.

Dental bonding, sometimes called a composite restoration, is a dental procedure used to close spaces and fix chips in teeth or to solve other cosmetic dental concerns, like discoloration and cracks. Your dentist applies a moldable, durable composite resin that matches your existing teeth. When cured and hardened by the dentist it repairs any damage. It’s usually much more affordable than other cosmetic dentistry procedures, like porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or braces.

Interested in dental bonding?

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Pros

  • Dental bonding can close gaps and fix surface imperfections. It can also increase the size of a tooth and balance your smile.
  • It’s a fast procedure, with no downtime, that can usually be done in a single visit.
  • Typically, it’s comfortable enough that no anesthesia is needed.
  • It’s an affordable procedure, covered by many dental insurance plans if it’s done to fix structural damage or fill in cavities.
  • Unlike amalgam fillings, dental bonding with composite resin can match the shade of your teeth.

Cons

  • The bonding resin is porous, so it isn’t as stain-resistant as porcelain veneers or crowns. You may notice discoloration or staining if you drink coffee, tea, or red wine or if you smoke cigarettes.
  • Bonding is a less durable solution than veneers or crowns, lasting three to seven years when it’s well cared for. When it isn’t, bonding can easily chip.
  • Average Cost:
  • $1,300
  • Range:
  • $334 - $6,400

The cost of bonding your teeth will depend on how much resin is required and how many teeth need bonding. 

Your procedure may be partially or fully covered by insurance (depending on your deductible), particularly if you’re getting the procedure to fill a cavity or fix structural issues.

See our complete guide to dental bonding costs

Interested in dental bonding?

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The dental bonding photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

You could be a good candidate for dental bonding if:

  • Your teeth have chips or jagged edges.
  • Some of your teeth are noticeably shorter than the rest.
  • You want to fill a gap in your front teeth without using braces.
  • You have thin enamel that makes your teeth look yellow or dark or gives the appearance of transparent teeth.

Having relatively good oral health is important for dental bonding. If you have severe tooth damage or decay, you may not be a good candidate. Your dentist might recommend a veneer or a crown instead, as part of a smile makeover.

RealSelf Tip: Resin can’t be whitened once it’s applied, so if you want a brighter smile, Philadelphia-based dentist Dr. Leonard Tau recommends whitening your teeth before bonding so your resin color will match your whitened teeth. According to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, the resin “may occasionally stain or discolor over time” but can be easily repaired.

The bonding procedure is short and painless. The whole process usually takes 30–60 minutes and doesn’t require any preparation or anesthesia. It’s been an effective form of restoration that hasn’t changed significantly in the past 20 years, according to one study.

First, your dentist will ask you about your smile goals and discuss the pros and cons of any other treatments you may be considering.

Your dentist will then match your bonding resin color with your natural teeth shade. They’ll etch the surface of the teeth (much less tooth structure removal than porcelain veneers require) to be bonded so the resin can easily grip it and stay in place. Then they’ll apply the resin and mold it into a shape that looks natural and complements your smile. 

An application of ultraviolet light or laser light helps solidify the resin before it’s shaped, trimmed, and polished to match the natural sheen and shape of your teeth.

Dental bonding isn’t permanent. With proper care, it usually lasts three to seven years—much less time than porcelain veneers, which typically last 10–30 years.

Bonding may stain or discolor over time, but that can be easily repaired.

The bonding resin material can be removed, and some methods are safer than others.

According to one study, removing composite resin by mechanical means (like a dental tool called a carbide bur) can cause excessive damage to the peripheral enamel and dentin. The study found that lasers help minimize healthy tissue loss when “replacing existing restorations [or] sealants or removing composite adhesives.”

Dental bonds can also be removed with fluorescent light.

After the procedure, you may feel sharp edges or discomfort when biting down. The bonding may not have been applied evenly, or it may cause sensitivity. Your dentist should be able to touch up the bonding, to fix any of these issues.

There’s also a risk for the resin material to chip or separate from your real tooth, which rarely happens with a veneer, crown, or filling.

Dr. Paula Gould, a dentist in Wyckoff, New Jersey, advises that a chipped tooth is almost inevitable with dental bonding, so you should anticipate needing a few updates over the years. “There is a lot of wear and tear from eating and tooth movement on a tiny bonded area. Larger breaks may be easier to repair than small ones,” she says.

The tooth repair options with the greatest longevity will be a porcelain veneer or dental crown.

“Believe it or not, small chips are not easy to repair. Bonding, the procedure of colored filling material applied to the tooth, can only adhere well to larger surfaces. That is why small chips sometimes break off when you’re eating—or if the bite is not carefully adjusted to avoid the lower teeth hitting [the bonded teeth], which can cause easy breakage,” explains Dr. Gould.

Caring for your teeth can increase the longevity of the bond. In addition to maintaining oral hygiene by getting your teeth cleaned every six months and brushing and flossing twice a day, you’ll want to:

  • Avoid hard food and candy.
  • Stop biting your nails, eating ice cubes, or chewing on pencils and pens.
  • Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking for the first two days after the procedure, to prevent stains.
  • See your dentist if you notice a chip or break in the bonding material.

If the resin stains, it cannot be whitened. You will need to have the dental bonding reapplied or touched up, as needed.

Veneers, often made of porcelain, are thin, custom-made covers for the front of teeth. They can improve their size, shape, and color and correct gaps, chips, and even minor alignment issues. Your dentist must first file away some of the tooth enamel before cementing on the veneers. 

According to New York City cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Davidowitz, if you’re concerned about the need for frequent repair of your dental bonding, “a veneer will restoratively fix that problem. It will build back the tooth in a stronger fashion than the other options, and as a bonus, you get cosmetic benefits.”

Here’s the downside: veneers can be significantly more expensive than other options. One veneer can cost $500 to $3,000, depending on its level of quality, your dentist’s level of experience, and their practice location.

When a tooth is cracked or damaged beyond repair and needs to be completely replaced instead of just covered and disguised, a dental crown is your best bet. Dental crowns can be made of ceramic or porcelain, metal, resin, or zirconia or some combination.

Interested in dental bonding?

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Updated July 20, 2023

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