Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct spaces ("gaps") between teeth, to reshape teeth, to change the appearance of tooth color, or as a filling after tooth decay ("a cavity") has been removed.
A composite resin is used to restore a tooth or teeth after decay is removed. It is a tooth-colored filling material that can be sculpted to replace missing tooth structure or to change the shape of teeth. After a bonding agent is applied, the composite resin is placed and sculpted. Then, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin. Finally, the composite is adjusted and polished to give it the appearance of tooth structure.
Many patients consider composite resin fillings an esthetic improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With advancements in dental technology, bonding of composite resins to replace or enhance tooth structure can provide a long lasting solution for patients who have misshapen or discolored teeth or teeth with small to moderate tooth loss from cavities. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.