Bonding can correct crooked, gapped or highly stained teeth.

Tooth bonding is a cosmetic procedure that bonds tooth-colored resin to a tooth's surface. Bonding is arguably the easiest and most affordable cosmetic dental procedure.

The resin that is used in bonding will be shaped and polished by the doctor to match surrounding teeth. Bonding can also be useful in creating temporary veneers for the purpose of seeing if you like the appearance before you undertake a far more complex and expensive procedure, such as veneers.

Bonding is used for the following reasons:

• Reshaping teeth
• Fixing crooked teeth
• Closing unwanted gaps
• Covering (and whitening) highly stained teeth

Unlike veneers, a bonding procedure can be completed in just one visit. And no preparation is required for bonding and anesthesia is often not needed.

To perform a bonding dental procedure, the doctor will use a shade guide to determine the composite resin color that will match the color of the tooth. Once the doctor has selected the color, he or she will slightly etch the tooth's surface to roughen it. The tooth will then be coated lightly with a conditioner, which aids in allowing the bonding material to adhere. When the tooth is prepared, the doctor will apply the resin and then mold and smooth it until it is the proper shape.

The resin is then made hard with an ultraviolet light. After the resin hardens, the doctor will further shape it and polish the resin until it matches the appearance of the rest of the tooth. It typically takes less than one hour to perform a bonding procedure for a tooth.

The bonding resin is not as strong and durable as a natural tooth and may occasionally chip. But, overall, bonding often lasts several years before it needs repair or touch up.