Bonding (also known as white filling or composite) is tooth-colored
filling material that was invented in the late 1970s. It is
made up of a composite quartz resin and contains a light sensitive
agent. This material comes in a variety of shades so it can
be matched to the color of your own teeth. Similar in color
and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable,
and much more attractive, than other types of fillings. Bonding
usually requires only one visit, so it is less time-consuming
and less expensive than other tooth-colored restoration methods.
Bondings can be used in the following instances:
To repair physical damage, hereditary flaws and
some structural damage that has been caused by decay.
To protect the root of a tooth that is exposed due
to the gum recession or tooth abrasion caused by aggressive
brushing.
If you need to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored
teeth.
If you have a minor chip that is too small of a
problem for veneers.
If you have a gap in between two of your front teeth
but you don't want braces.
If your teeth have stains, which can't be removed
by teeth whitening.
It can also serve as an alternative to silver amalgam
fillings
Bonding vs. "Silver" Filling
Bonding can be used in both the front of the mouth as well as
on the back teeth. Some of these composite materials have been
specifically designed to withstand the incredible forces that
one can exert when chewing on one's back teeth.
As silver does not stick to teeth, entirely healthy tooth
structure is usually removed to keep a silver filling in place.
Composites permit the dentist to remove only the decayed area
of the tooth. Thus the tooth preparation is much more
conservative.
Bonding
Before & After
Case 1
Composite bondings were placed to close unsightly spaces between teeth.
Case 2
Silver fillings replaced with bondings.
Case 3
Composite bondings were used to beautify stained
teeth (stains that could not be removed with teeth whitening).
