Dental Bonding or Tooth bonding is a very popular dental treatment that can help fix a decayed, discolored tooth, close spaces between teeth or fix a fractured tooth, but is typically used for cosmetic purposes, like a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings or to protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede. In dental bonding treatment, a tooth-colored material is prepared and applied to the tooth. This application is hardened with a high-intensity curing light, which bonds the material to the tooth and restores the damage done.

So when exactly is dental bonding (tooth bonding) advised or opted for?

• to fill cavities with composite resins
• to repair cracked, chipped or decayed tooth
• to fill spaces between teeth
• to fix teeth alignment
• as a cosmetic substitute to amalgam fillings
• to better the appearance of discolored teeth or stained teeth
• to protect the roots that have been exposed due to gum recession

These are some of the areas where tooth bonding may be recommended by your dentist. There are two forms of dental procedures involved in dental bonding.

Types of Dental Bonding

Direct composite bonding This form of dental bonding is the process where dentists use tooth-colored composites (material) like resin to fix issues like repairing the chipped/cracked teeth, closing the gap between the teeth by filling it, protecting teeth roots that are worn out. The composite material may be directly applied and sculpted to the surface of teeth. Composite bonding is a less expensive procedure; also the direct composite bonding procedure is generally completed in one dental visit. Adhesive bonding Commonly used for porcelain veneers, esthetic and metal-free crowns, bridges and inlays/onlays, adhesive bonding is a process of attaching a restoration to a tooth using a bonding agent, an adhesive and a high intensity curing light. This is how the Adhesive bonding treatment will commence

1. First, your dentist will closely match the color of your tooth and choose a shade that matches your tooth.
2. Next, using a gentle phosphoric acid solution, your dentist will roughen the surface of the tooth.
3. After this, a liquid bonding agent will be used.
4. Now, your dentist will apply the tooth-colored resin and mold the tooth until it gets its desired shape while making sure it is smooth.
5. Finally, the material (resin) is hardened using an ultraviolet curing light.
6. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it, and to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth, he will polish it.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding?

Advantages:

• Unlike veneers and crowns, dental bonding can be completed in one dental visit. (Unless several teeth need to be treated).
• There is very less amount of tooth enamel that is removed.
• Anesthesia is generally not required unless the bonding is being performed to fill a cavity.
• Dental bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental treatments.

Disadvantages:

• The bonding materials aren't as strong as crowns, fillings, and veneers and may not withstand extreme pressure. E.g. Teeth grinding
• Although the material is stain resistant to some extent, it does not resist stains as well as crowns do.
• Also, bonding materials can chip and break the tooth or can be fractured easily.

Keeping these pros and cons in mind, dentists view dental bonding as the best option for small cosmetic changes or for correction of front teeth where bite pressure is less. For best cosmetic approach for your particular problem, consult your dentist.