Bonding is a popular treatment option because it provides a successful attachment between the filling material and the tooth’s original enamel and dentin. It looks like the original tooth and functions like it as well.
The procedure gets its name because materials are bonded to the tooth. Bonding is typically used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth.
Tooth bonding is used in several different ways, but is probably most useful for repairing chipped teeth. Bonding materials (composite resin) and porcelain are more natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match the surrounding teeth making it difficult to discern there ever was a broken tooth.
Dental bonding is also used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities because it’s more cosmetically appealing than silver fillings. Dental bonding typically requires only one office visit. The entire process can be accomplished in 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.