Bonding
is an alternative to veneers that can be used to restore teeth that
are discolored, chipped, cracked, or misarranged.
The dentist prepares the tooth for bonding by lightly etching the
surface, and coating the tooth with a bonding liquid. Once the liquid
has set, then the dentist applies a plastic resin and sculpts it
into the desired shape. When the resin has set, it is trimmed and
polished to a natural appearance.
Considerations
Bonding can significantly improve the appearance of a tooth and
can usually be done in a single office visit. Because the plastic
is not as strong as tooth enamel, it can be chipped, or broken,
and is more likely to pick up stains than natural teeth. Bonding
usually lasts for three to five years before needing repair
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