Teeth Bonding: How It Works, Benefits, Costs & More

Want to improve your smile without lengthy orthodontic treatments?¹ If your teeth are chipped, gapped, misshapen, stained or slightly crooked, cosmetic dental bonding can help.² Dental bonding can improve the appearance of your teeth, making them brighter, whiter and more even.³

Read on to learn more about teeth bonding, including benefits, costs, aftercare and more.

What Is Teeth Bonding?

Teeth bonding — also known as dental bonding, cosmetic bonding or composite bonding — is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to quickly and easily fix minor dental issues.² The procedure involves applying a dental composite to correct the size, shape and color of the teeth.⁴

You may be a good candidate for dental bonding if you want to:⁵

• Conceal chips or cracks in your teeth
• Close gaps between your teeth
• Camouflage tooth discoloration
• Change the shape of your teeth
• Make your teeth look longer

Dental bonding can also be useful for people who are prone to cavities.² That's because the composite resin used in cosmetic bonding creates a smooth surface on the tooth, eliminating many of the tiny crevices where bacteria would accumulate and cause decay.²

Can you bond a molar?²

While dental bonding can be a good choice for front teeth, most dentists do not recommend bonding molars. The composite resin material used in dental bonding is strong, but it's not strong enough to withstand the constant, intense pressure applied to molars for biting and chewing.

How Much Does Teeth Bonding Cost?

Teeth bonding is one of the most inexpensive tooth repair procedures and typically costs $300 to $600 per tooth, but the cost may be as low as $100 to $200 or as high as $800 to $1,000 per tooth.⁶

Common factors that impact the cost of dental bonding include:⁷

• Number of teeth that need bonding. Dentists typically charge by the tooth.
• Complexity of the procedure. Depending on the issue that's being fixed, the dentist may need to take more time and use more composite resin.
• The dentist's experience and credentials. A dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures may be more skilled at teeth bonding and may also charge more than a general dentist.
• The dentist's location. A dentist who practices in an area with a high cost of rent and a high demand for their services will likely charge more.

Additional teeth bonding costs

Before you have your teeth bonded, you may need a dental exam, dental cleaning and professional teeth whitening, so be sure to plan for these additional costs.⁸

Dental bonding typically doesn't require anesthesia, multiple visits or an orthodontist, which would increase the cost of treatment.⁹

Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Bonding?

Dental bonding may be partially or fully covered by your insurance (depending on your deductible) if you're getting the procedure to fix structural issues like chipped or cracked teeth.⁷ But if you're getting dental bonding for purely cosmetic purposes (e.g., to close a small gap between your teeth), most dental insurance plans won't cover it.⁷

Before you schedule an appointment for teeth bonding, find out how much your dentist will charge you for the procedure and how much your insurance will cover.¹⁰ Many dental offices offer bonding packages and payment plans.⁴ Many also offer dental financing, like the CareCredit credit card.⁷

Benefits of Teeth Bonding

It's no surprise that teeth bonding is one of the most frequently performed procedures in dentistry.⁵ The benefits of teeth bonding include:

• Minimal invasiveness. Since the composite can be shaped and bonded directly onto the enamel of the tooth, no removal of tooth structure is required.⁴
• Versatility. Teeth bonding can conceal a wide range of cosmetic imperfections, including chips, cracks, gaps and discoloration.⁵
• Color matching. Composites can be molded and matched to the color of adjacent teeth for natural-looking results.¹
• Convenience. Teeth bonding can be completed in just one office visit.⁵
• Zero downtime. There's no recovery period needed for dental bonding.³
• Safety. If you have healthy teeth and gums, dental bonding should not pose risks to your oral health.⁵
• Durability. With proper care, the composite bonding material typically lasts five to 10 years.²
• Reversibility. Since dental bonding doesn't require enamel removal, it can be reversed at any time.⁵
• Affordability. Teeth bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures.⁵

Teeth Bonding Preparation

If you're interested in teeth bonding, your dentist will take X-rays and examine your teeth and gums to make sure you're eligible for the procedure.⁵ Cavities, severe tooth decay, gum disease or other major oral health issues will likely need treatment before pursuing teeth bonding.⁵

If your dentist has determined you're eligible for dental bonding, you'll first want a professional cleaning to remove bacteria and tartar from your teeth and gums to prevent germs from developing underneath the composite.⁸ You may also want to get professional teeth whitening before bonding.⁴ The bonding material doesn't bleach, so it's best to whiten teeth to your desired shade first and then match the bonding to that color.⁴

The Teeth Bonding Process: Step by Step

During the teeth bonding procedure, your dentist will:⁵

1. Prepare the composite using a shade guide to select a dental composite that matches the color of your teeth.
2. Prepare the tooth by roughening the surface of your tooth and applying a conditioning liquid to help the bonding material stick to your tooth.
3. Apply the composite, a putty-like resin, to the tooth, molding and smoothing the composite to the desired shape.
4. Cure the composite resin by hardening it with an ultraviolet light that bonds the material to the surface of the tooth.
5. Shape the tooth with tools, ensuring the bond lines up with surrounding teeth and doesn't affect your bite.³
6. Polish the tooth to a smooth texture and a natural-looking shine.

The dentist won't be working anywhere close to the nerve inside your tooth, so dental bonding is usually not painful and does not require anesthesia.⁵ You may choose dental bonding for one tooth or multiple teeth.² It takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, so this simple cosmetic procedure is usually completed in a single visit to the dentist.⁹

What to Expect After Teeth Bonding

Since the resin dries immediately, you can eat and drink regularly right after your appointment.⁴ Note that some patients experience tooth sensitivity for a few days after the procedure.¹¹ To ease any discomfort, avoid very hot, very cold, hard and crunchy foods, and take over-the-counter pain medication if needed.¹¹

For a few hours after the procedure, your teeth may feel different than usual, which can affect your speech.¹¹ Those effects should be short-lived.¹¹ But if your bite feels off, your dentist can correct the issue during a quick appointment.⁵ And if you notice any sharp edges on a bonded tooth — or if the bonding chips or falls off — call your dentist right away.⁹

It's rare for patients to experience an allergic reaction to dental bonding resin or to develop an infection from the bonding procedure.¹¹ However, if teeth bonding is applied over a preexisting infection that continues to grow beneath the resin, the tooth will likely need a root canal or extraction.¹¹

How long does teeth bonding last?

Dental bonding lasts an average of five to 10 years before it must be replaced.¹⁰ The longevity of composite bonding depends on several factors, including the location of the tooth, eating habits and oral hygiene.¹² Dental bonding generally lasts longer on front teeth than back teeth, which are subject to heavy biting.¹²

How many times can you rebond a tooth?¹³

You can bond a tooth as many times as you'd like, provided the tooth has enough remaining structure to bond to. Keep in mind, though, that the more times you bond to a tooth, the weaker that tooth may become. If your dental bonding has failed three times, consider transitioning to a veneer or crown.

Aftercare and Maintenance for Teeth Bonding

Good habits can help preserve the appearance of your dental bonds.³ Try these 10 tips to protect your teeth bonding.⁹

• Brush with a soft toothbrush. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush.⁵ Toothbrushes with medium or hard bristles are abrasive on composite bonding.¹¹
• Use non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid abrasive toothpastes (e.g., those that contain activated charcoal for whitening), which are too hard on composite bonding.¹¹
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash. Mouthwashes containing ethanol can damage the composite resin of your dental bonding, so make sure your mouthwash is alcohol-free.¹¹
• Skip the staining. Avoid teeth-staining foods like berries, red wine, tea, coffee and sports drinks, as well as teeth-staining products like tobacco.¹¹ It's especially important to avoid teeth-staining foods for the first 48 hours after the composite bonding procedure.⁹
• Avoid hard foods. Avoid hard or crunchy foods that can chip the composite resin, such as hard candy, nuts and pretzels.¹¹
• Limit acidity. Steer clear of acidic foods that can erode the composite resin, such as soda and juice.¹¹If you do consume acidic foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward.⁹
• Manage teeth grinding. Wear a mouth guard to prevent grinding damage.⁹ You may also be able to manage grinding with relaxation techniques.³
• Use teeth for eating only. Don't use your teeth to open packages, remove tags, chew on ice or pens or bite your nails.¹¹ Bonding material can chip, so keep sharp objects out of your mouth.⁹
• Don't whiten. Whitening works on natural teeth but not on bonded teeth — so if you try to whiten your teeth after dental bonding, the bonded teeth will remain darker.⁸
• Go to the dentist. To maintain teeth bonding, visit your dentist for regular checkups, cleanings and polishing.⁴ Regular dental visits can help keep your mouth healthy and ensure the composite bonding functions appropriately.⁹

Teeth Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an alternative to dental bonding.¹¹ Veneers are custom-made shells that adhere to the surfaces of your teeth.⁵ To place a veneer, the dentist typically must remove some enamel from the tooth.⁵ This cosmetic procedure is usually more expensive and extensive than dental bonding.³

While dental bonding can be a good option for minor changes, veneers are well suited to major alterations in the shape and color of your teeth, offering a more dramatic transformation.⁴

Review the chart below to quickly compare dental bonding vs. porcelain veneers.¹⁰

CareCredit Credit Card Financing For Teeth Bonding

Whether you're investing in teeth bonding or you simply need a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance. Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or orthodontist near you that accepts CareCredit to help get you on track to your perfect smile. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance, and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as LoopNet, Beachside Rehab, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and more.