Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding is an excellent way to repair small or minor tooth imperfections or damage. Bonding is particularly good for taking care of of problems such as cracks, chips, discoloration, and gaps between teeth.

The material used for bonding is a composite resin that is colored to match your teeth. The consistency of the resin is similar to modeling clay. This composite is then applied directly to the tooth and shaped freehand. This type of dental repair is referred to as “direct dental bonding.” When you have a direct repair to your teeth it is extremely important that your dentist be artistic as well as technically skilled. Getting a natural look requires precision and a great attention to detail and a passion for artistic perfection.

A Chipped Tooth Before Repair With Bonding	The Same Tooth Repaired With Dental Bonding

The before and after photos above show the results of a repair done using dental bonding. If you look closely, you can see that the color of the repair isn't the same throughout. There is a fairly white edge on the tooth. Above that, there is a more translucent area. Further into the body of the tooth, it is more cream-colored. Also, you may notice that the surface luster and texture of the repair has duplicated that of the natural tooth.

Many dentists aren't comfortable doing direct tooth bonding, because of the artistic demands of the procedure.  Dr. Forth, however, is very comfortable with this. He is the only accredited cosmetic dentist in Oklahoma, and to attain this credential, he had to clinically demonstrate his skills in direct tooth bonding to the examining board.

Pros and Cons of Tooth Bonding

• A bonding repair can generally be completed in one sitting so the time it takes to improve your overall smile is relatively short.
• The chairside manipulation of the color make it easy for an expert cosmetic dentist to match the color of the surrounding teeth.
• Tooth bonding is not suitable for complete smile makeovers. Because of the extreme durability of porcelain, large repairs are the longest-lasting and the most stain resistant method for a total smile makeover.

If you are unhappy with certain elements of your smile dental bonding may be a good solution. To learn more about the process contact Dr. Forth and Dr. Bender's office to set up a consultation. The doctors and their staff will be happy to talk with you about the advantages and disadvantage of bonding and help you determine if it is right for you.