Composite bonding uses a tooth-colored resin that is shaded to match your teeth, applied in thin layers, shaped and polished. It blends in naturally and preserves as much of your natural tooth as possible.
What bonding can do
- Repair chips and cracks in front teeth.
- Close small gaps between teeth.
- Reshape uneven or short teeth.
- Cover discoloration that whitening can’t fix.
- Fill cavities with natural-looking, tooth-colored fillings instead of silver.
Dr. Winter often combines teeth whitening and bonding to improve the shape and color of the teeth together.
What to expect
- Shade matching. We choose a composite shade that matches your teeth.
- Preparation. The tooth surface is gently roughened so the composite bonds firmly. For a cavity, the decay is removed first.
- Layering and shaping. The composite is applied in layers and each one is hardened with a special light.
- Polishing. The final restoration is shaped to your bite and polished to a natural shine.
Most bonding is done in a single visit. For larger changes or longer-lasting results, porcelain veneers may be the better choice.