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Q: What is bonding and what is it used for?
A: Dental bonding, sometimes called cosmetic bonding, is a procedure your dentist can perform. The procedure is generally used to restore or improve a patient's smile. Bonding is used, among other things, to close gaps between teeth, improve the appearance of discolored teeth, change the shape of teeth, repair cracked or chipped teeth or protect a part of a tooth's root that has been exposed by gums receding.
The dentist applies a tooth-colored resin material to teeth and uses a special light to bond the material to the tooth. The dentist may have to roughen the surface of a tooth a bit and apply a liquid preparation. Bonding generally does not require anesthesia and, after the initial decision-making sessions, can be finished in one visit.
Other more complicated procedures for cosmetic or restorative purposes can be considerably more expensive and time consuming. Porcelain veneers, for instance, and crowns have to be made in a dental lab and then applied by the dentist in the office. Talk with your dentist about the many techniques and materials available to improve both the appearance and function of your teeth.
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