Huntsville SmilesDentistry
Hours (705) 788-9229

Summer · Brighten

Cosmetic bonding

Like mixing paint on a palette, we match each shade by hand so the repair blends into your smile.

Cosmetic bonding uses tooth-coloured composite resin to reshape and repair teeth. It’s often done in a single visit, usually with little or no drilling.

(705) 788-9229
A wooden artist’s palette with swatches of ivory and cream paint, a palette knife and brushes, resting on linen by a window

Bonding can fix a chipped or broken edge, close a small gap, cover a stain, or make a short or uneven tooth match its neighbours. It can also cover exposed roots near the gumline that feel sensitive.

Because the resin is shaped right on your tooth, bonding is a quick and conservative choice. Resin can stain and chip more easily than porcelain, though, so it may need a touch-up over time.

How it works

  1. 01

    Choosing the shade

    We compare shades against your teeth in natural light to find a close match.

  2. 02

    Preparing the surface

    We gently roughen the tooth surface so the resin can grip. Often, no freezing is needed.

  3. 03

    Shaping by hand

    We apply the resin in thin layers and sculpt it into shape, hardening each layer with a special light.

  4. 04

    Polishing

    We trim and polish the bonding until it blends with your tooth and feels smooth to your tongue.

Afterwards

You can eat and drink normally once you leave. For the first day or two, go easy on coffee, tea and red wine, since fresh resin can pick up stains. Avoid biting your nails, pens or ice. Bonding can chip or dull over time, but it can usually be touched up or repaired.

Questions people ask

Does bonding hurt?

Usually not. Many bonding treatments don’t need freezing at all. If we’re working near a sensitive area, we numb it first.

How long does bonding last?

Bonding can last several years with good care. Over time, it may stain, wear or chip and need a touch-up or replacement.

Can I whiten my teeth after bonding?

Whitening won’t change the colour of bonding. If you’re thinking about whitening, do it first, and then we can match the bonding to your new shade.

Is bonding covered by insurance?

It depends on your plan and the reason for treatment. Repairing a broken tooth is more likely to be covered than a purely cosmetic change. We’ll give you a written estimate and can send a pre-determination to your insurer.

Related care

Along the same trail

All care
Thin, curling layers of white birch bark beside a smooth pale stone on a linen cloth Porcelain veneers Thin porcelain shells that change the shape, shade or size of front teeth. Learn more Ivory-white beads and smooth river pebbles in a turned wooden bowl on a linen cloth White fillings Tooth-coloured fillings that repair cavities and blend in with your smile. Learn more A woman in a white linen shirt laughing on a sunny dock, with sparkling blue lake water behind her Teeth whitening Professional whitening to gently lift stains and brighten your natural smile. Learn more

Come sit a while.

New patients, returning patients and visitors to Muskoka are all welcome. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll find a time that suits you.

(705) 788-9229

Hours: Mon–Thu, 8 am – 5 pm