Bonding refers to facings, like the veneers above, only using plastic resin, rather than porcelain. The other main difference is they are made right on the spot, without a dental lab involved. Bonding is a composite resin filling placed in the back teeth as well as on the front teeth.

Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements and even changing the color of your teeth or the reshaping of teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close up minor gaps and can be used to correct crooked teeth.

Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material and sculpt, color and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic, and the surface is finely polished.

The advantage of bonding is that there is usually no anesthetic or tooth preparation involved. The disadvantage is that, because they are resins, they do not last as long as veneers and they can discolor with age.