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Bonding/White Fillings
A bonding
is a tooth-colored composite resin that is used as an alternative to amalgams and
veneers. This is an excellent cosmetic option for those patients who do
not want the look of silver in their mouths and do not want the expense of
veneers. Bondings can be used on teeth that are decayed, cracked, or
stained.
Procedure
The bonding
procedure is usually completed in one visit. The first step is to remove
the decayed or unsightly portion of the tooth, usually requiring a small amount of local anesthetic. Many times a bonded filling can be done without using a local anesthetic "shot". To prepare the tooth to receive the filling, the tooth walls are then etched
with a liquid or gel and a bonding agent is applied and then the composite resin is placed in the prepared tooth. The filling is then
trimmed and polished, leaving you with a beautifully sculpted, natural-looking
restoration.
Bonding Durability
Although composite resins ("Direct White Restorations") are
cosmetically pleasing and easily placed, their durability is not as strong as
other types of lab-processed restorations. These resins typically last from 2-5 years
before they begin to chip and wear away. When this happens, the
restoration will need to be replaced.
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