Q: What are the pros and cons of dental bonding?

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.

Q: What happens if you chip a bonded tooth?

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.

Question 1

What is dental bonding?

Accepted Answer

What is dental bonding?

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.

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Question 2

What are the pros and cons of dental bonding?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How much does dental bonding cost?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Dental bonding before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Who's a good candidate for dental bonding?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How does dental bonding work?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

How long do dental bonds last?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Can dental bonding be removed?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What are the risks of dental bonding?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

What happens if you chip a bonded tooth?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

How do I care for my bonded teeth?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Dental bonding vs. veneers: what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Dental bonding vs. dental crowns: what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

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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Question 14

Sources & studies

Accepted Answer

Chan, Kenneth H, et al. “Rapid and Selective Removal of Composite from Tooth Surfaces with a 9.3 Μm CO2 Laser Using Spectral Feedback.” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2011.

Kanzow, Philipp, and Annette Wiegand. “Teaching of Composite Restoration Repair: Trends and Quality of Teaching over the Past 20 Years.” Journal of Dentistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Feb. 2020.

Klein, Christian, et al. “Minimally Invasive Removal of Tooth-Colored Restorations: Evaluation of a Novel Handpiece Using the Fluorescence-Aided Identification Technique (FIT).” Clinical Oral Investigations, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 Nov. 2019.

“Patient-Care-Cosmetic: College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics.” Patient-Care-Cosmetic | College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics.

DENTAL BONDING

Steven Davidowitz, DDS

Chris Ellis

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Steven Davidowitz, DDS

Chris Ellis

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