Dental Bonding

The dental procedure known as “bonding” got the name because that’s what the composite resin material used in the procedure does. It bonds to a tooth.


When the surface of a tooth is chipped, discolored, cracked or decayed, your dentist can use bonding to restore the tooth’s shape and appearance. Bonding is also used to close gaps between teeth, give teeth a longer look and protect roots that have been exposed by receding gums. It has even been used in replacing older, silver amalgam fillings with a more tooth-colored solution.

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The first part of the process is all about color. Your dentist will compare your teeth with examples of various shades of composite resin, selecting the closest possible match to your teeth.

After that, the surface of the tooth is prepared not unlike a surface that needs paint. Your dentist will roughen the area and apply a conditioning liquid; just like sanding a wall helps paint stick, those steps enable the bonding agent to better adhere to the tooth.

Next, the composite resin, which at this point looks something like putty, is applied to the tooth, where it fills in spaces and is then molded by your dentist into the correct shape and size.

Once your dentist is satisfied with the placement of the composite resin, he or she will shine a special curing light on the resin, which hardens the material and activates the bond between resin and tooth.

Now, comes the finishing work in which your dentist does any post-curing trimming and/or shaping that needs to be done, followed by polishing to give your bonded tooth the same level of gloss as your other teeth.

The whole procedure takes only 30 to 60 minutes. You can have an anesthetic but, unless there is decay involved, pain isn’t very likely during a bonding procedure.

In addition to being one of the easiest and least time-consuming cosmetic procedures, bonding is also one of the most cost-effective. Unlike dental veneers, which need to be individually engineered by a dental lab, bonding is a completely in-office procedure that is performed with relatively inexpensive materials—and with great success, usually in just one visit (you may need extra appointments for multiple teeth).

Is bonding always the right way to go? Of course, not. That’s why dentists don’t just run bonding offices. But just like any question about your dental and oral health, your StarBrite dentist will discuss the pros and cons of bonding in a given situation with you until he or she is sure you understand them and can make an informed decision.

Composite Dental Bonding vs. Fillings?

In terms of dental history, amalgam fillings, like the silver kind many of us got as children have been around a lot longer than fillings made of the composite material used in bonding. Research comparing the two methods is still ongoing, but there’s good reason to believe that composites are an excellent alternative.


One immediate benefit can be found in the fact that, unlike amalgam fillings, composites contain no mercury. On the downside, it has been noted that composite materials may be prone to staining; that, however, only happens after quite a long while.


Another plus is the continued research that is increasing the strength of composite bonding materials.



Also encouraging, is the fact that dentists may be able to leave more tooth intact when using a composite filling since, unlike amalgam, the composite material actually bonds to the tooth, rather than simply fill a cavity.

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*We DO NOT ACCEPT HMO Insurance, State Insurance, Medicaid/Medicare, or discount plans. Fees apply for services. 

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Office (301) 770-1070

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(301) 377-2186

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(240) 832-1606

5936 Hubbard Dr, Rockville, MD 20852