What Is Dental Bonding and How Long Does It Last on Front Teeth?

What bonding is

Bonding uses composite resin, the same kind of material as a white filling. Your dentist adds it to the tooth in thin layers, shapes it by hand, hardens it with a blue light and polishes it. The colour is picked to blend with your other teeth.

Because it is added to the tooth rather than replacing it, bonding usually needs little or no drilling. That makes it one of the more conservative ways to change how a front tooth looks.

What it can fix

• Small chips and rough edges on front teeth
• Small gaps between teeth
• Teeth that are slightly short, worn or uneven in shape
• Some stains that whitening can't lift
• Root surfaces that are exposed and sensitive where gums have pulled back

What happens at the appointment

First, your dentist checks the tooth, your gums and your bite. Bonding only works well on a healthy tooth, so any decay or gum problems are treated first. If you are thinking of whitening, it's usually done before bonding, because resin does not lighten with whitening gel.

Next, your dentist chooses a shade, lightly roughens the surface and applies a bonding liquid. The resin goes on in layers, each one set with the light. Finally, the tooth is shaped and polished. Most small repairs are done in one visit. Freezing is often not needed unless the tooth is being reshaped near the nerve or the gum.

How long does it last on front teeth?

There is no single number. Bonding is durable, but it is softer than natural enamel and softer than porcelain. Many people get several years from a bonded front tooth before it needs a touch-up or repair. Some get longer, and some need a repair sooner.

Front teeth take a lot of force at their edges when you bite into food. A bonded edge on an upper front tooth will often need more care than a small patch near the gum. Your dentist can tell you what to expect for your tooth and bite.

What shortens its life

• Biting nails, pens or ice, or opening packages with your teeth
• Grinding or clenching, especially at night
• Biting straight into very hard foods with bonded front teeth
• Coffee, tea, red wine, curry and smoking, which can stain resin over time
• A bite where the front teeth meet edge to edge or hit hard

Keeping bonding looking good

Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a non-gritty toothpaste. Very abrasive whitening pastes can dull the polish. Floss once a day, and rinse with water after coffee or tea.

If you grind your teeth, a night guard can protect both your natural teeth and the bonding. Regular cleanings let your dentist re-polish the surface and catch small chips early. A small chip can often be patched without redoing the whole tooth.

Bonding, veneers or a crown?

Bonding suits small changes on teeth that are otherwise healthy. It is quick, can usually be repaired, and keeps more of the natural tooth.

Porcelain veneers cover the whole front of a tooth. They tend to resist stains and wear better, but they need a thin layer of enamel removed, so that step can't be undone. A crown covers the entire tooth and is used when a tooth is badly broken, heavily filled or weak. Your dentist will recommend an option based on the exam, and explain the trade-offs of each.

Cost and coverage

The cost of bonding depends on how many teeth are treated and how much is being changed. Many benefit plans treat bonding done for looks as cosmetic, so it may not be covered. Bonding that repairs a broken tooth is sometimes handled differently. Before any work starts, you get a written estimate, and we can check it with your insurer ahead of time. Our in-house dental plan is another option worth asking about.

Questions