Bonding And Contouring Make Small Fixes For Big Benefits

Some people lose confidence in their smile because they have an issue with just one or two teeth. A tooth could be chipped, cracked, or discolored from damage, or a tooth could have an unnatural appearance that just doesn’t fit with the others. Bonding and contouring allow your dentist to make key fixes to a tooth or teeth with cosmetic issues. Both dental bonding and contouring can be performed in-house, and can often be completed in a single visit.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a procedure where your dentist affixes a special resin over a tooth or teeth. The resin is molded and colored to match your teeth, and cover up any cracks, chips, or discoloration. A special curing light bonds and hardens the material to the existing tooth. Because a dental bond uses the material used in all-white fillings, bonding can be a great option if you’re looking for a long-lasting teeth whitening procedure.

What Is Contouring?

Your dentist uses dental bonding to add to, or cover, a tooth, and uses contouring to remove small portions of a tooth. If you have an issue with a tooth appearing too sharp, or if it looks jagged or uneven, your dentist can contour the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel to smooth it out and make it more uniform with your other teeth. Contouring is also great for correcting pits in teeth, and can be used to treat teeth that overlap. If you need both procedures, contouring and bonding can sometimes be performed during the same visit.