Will an exam and X-ray be required before cosmetic dental bonding?

Depends on the office.  A single radiograph to make sure the teeth are healthy is probably a good idea but sometimes a good way to find a dentist is to get a feel for the office with a small item like bonding.That said, a complete exam is usually a good idea.  Catching problems early will usually save you both time, money and improve your health over the long term.Ira L Shapira DDSDiplomate, American Academy of Pain ManagementDiplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineFellow & Regent, International College of CranioMandibular OrthopedicsChair, Alliance of TMD OrganizationsThinkBetterLife.com

Any qualified dentist would require an exam and radiographs first before performing any dental work on a patient.It is the dentists responsibility to make sure your mouth is free of any other disease if he/she is going to work on you.

 You definitely should want an exam and x-rays to determine that these teeth are healthy. There may be abscesses or abnormalities that are forming around the roots of these teeth up in the bone that is not apparent  when you look in your mouth. As for a cleaning, you should also have a cleaning to remove the plaque from the teeth so that the bonding adheres more permanently. It's always better to do it right the first time than to have to repeat it over again. It truly is  more cost-effective to do it right the first time! 

It is best to have a full exam and x-rays before beginning any treatment.  In my office, it is common for my recommendations to change after getting the full picture of what is going on in a patient's mouth.  However, we do a lot of limited/ problem focused exams to look only at a patient's chief concern and then recommend a course of action.  Teeth cleaning would only be required if there is debris interfering with the limited treatment.

Legally and ethically you must always have an xray and at the least a limited exam before any dental procedure.