Cosmetic Bonding.

Cosmetic bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin, sculpted and shaped directly onto a tooth, to correct chips, small gaps, discoloration, or minor irregularities in shape. Because the resin is applied and finished in a single visit, it's often the most conservative cosmetic option available.

Bonding removes little to no natural tooth structure, which makes it well suited to smaller, isolated corrections. Composite resin doesn't resist staining quite as well as porcelain over time, so patients looking to correct several teeth at once, or teeth with more significant wear or damage, are often better served by a porcelain veneer instead.

How it's done

Dr. Cross selects a composite shade that matches your natural enamel, then applies the resin to the tooth in layers, shaping it to blend with the surrounding teeth. Once the shape looks right, the material is cured with a special light and polished to a natural finish.

Because bonding is additive rather than a lab-fabricated restoration, most cases are completed in a single appointment, with the result visible before you leave the chair.

What to expect

Your visit starts with a comprehensive consultation, where Dr. Cross examines the tooth or teeth in question and confirms that bonding is the right fit for what you're trying to correct, rather than a veneer, crown, or other treatment.

Bonded teeth are cared for like natural teeth, though it helps to be mindful of staining foods and habits like nail-biting or chewing ice, which can chip the material over time. Touch-ups are straightforward if the resin ever needs refreshing.

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