Chipped teeth are common. But many people don’t do anything about it because they think the process of correcting the issue will be time-consuming and costly. Think again. Dental bonding is a fast, highly effective way to restore a chipped tooth.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is tooth-colored dental composite that is blended based on the color of your natural teeth. Bonding is applied to your tooth, shaped, hardened, and polished.
Applied While You’re Sitting in the Dental Chair
A cosmetic dentist has everything in his or her office that is needed to restore a chipped tooth with dental bonding. This includes:
- A variety of composites needed to match your tooth shade
- High-quality bonding agent
- A variety of dental tools to correctly apply the composite
Usually Only Requires One Appointment
Dental bonding is a quick process. After your tooth is cleaned, it will be roughened and etched to ensure the bonding adheres to it. The composite will be applied to your teeth, shaped, hardened and polished. Often, the process can be completed in 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
Looks Completely Natural
A skilled cosmetic dentist will match the dental composite to the color of your natural teeth. People won’t be able to tell that your tooth was ever chipped.
Can Last for Years
If you take good care of it, quality dental bonding can last five to ten years. Unlike porcelain restorations, dental bonding can pick up stains. If you smoke or regularly drink coffee or other dark beverages, the bonding can stain. Visit your cosmetic dentist to maintain and polish your bonding.
Although it can last for five to ten years, it doesn’t last as long as porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. But bonding also requires less removal of your natural tooth structure than those treatments.
Less Expensive Than Other Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
Bonding is the least expensive way for a cosmetic dentist to restore your chipped tooth. A porcelain veneer is a longer-lasting solution, but it is significantly more expensive. Although a porcelain crown can restore a chipped tooth, it requires aggressive preparation of your natural tooth. It would not be recommended unless the tooth has significant damage.
The before-and-after photos below show how an artistic cosmetic dentist can ise dental bonding to seamlessly conceal imperfections in teeth.
BEFORE 
AFTER
Find a Cosmetic Dentist
Although a general or family dentist will be willing to fix your tooth. An experienced cosmetic dentist can seamlessly restore it. Search online for an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area. If you can’t find one, look for a dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Many dentists’ websites feature a smile gallery where you can find photos of actual photos. Examine them closely, and look for photos of patients who have received dental bonding.
This post is sponsored by Philadelphia accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.