Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped,  discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white  filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The  filling “bonds” with your tooth, and because it comes in a variety  of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your  natural teeth.

 Tooth bonding can also be used for tooth fillings instead of silver  amalgam. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white  color is much less noticeable than silver. Bonded fillings can be  used on front or back teeth, depending on the location and extent  of tooth decay.

 Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can  usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding  can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments, s  such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your  doctor. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired  in one visit.

 Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, are most often made of  silver amalgam. The strength and durability of this traditional  dental material makes it useful for situations where restored teeth  must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, often in    the back of the mouth.

 Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that  mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often  called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where  a  natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on  the  back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth  decay.

 There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct  fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit.  

 They include silver amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and  composite (resin) fillings. Indirect fillings generally require two or  more visits. They include inlays, onlays, and veneers. They are  used  when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but  not  enough to necessitate a crown.