What Is Composite Bonding?
Composite bonding, also called dental bonding or tooth bonding, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-colored resin to repair chips, cracks, gaps and discoloration. At Martindale Smiles, our dentists skillfully apply and sculpt the composite material to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, often completing the whole procedure in a single visit.
It is one of the most affordable and conservative cosmetic dental treatments available, because it preserves almost all of your natural tooth structure.
What Composite Bonding Can Fix
Bonding is an excellent solution for minor cosmetic imperfections. It gives you a quick, effective way to improve your smile without extensive dental work.
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Teeth that appear too short
- Minor discoloration
- Exposed tooth roots caused by gum recession
The Bonding Procedure
The procedure typically needs no anesthesia unless bonding is being used to fill a cavity. Your dentist chooses a composite resin colour that closely matches your natural tooth shade and applies a conditioning liquid to the tooth surface. The resin is then applied, molded and smoothed into the desired shape.
A special light hardens the material, and final polishing gives the tooth a natural-looking finish.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- 1Shade matching. We match the resin colour to your natural teeth.
- 2Tooth surface preparation. We apply a conditioning agent so the resin bonds well.
- 3Application and sculpting. We carefully apply the composite resin and shape it.
- 4Curing. We harden the resin with a special light.
- 5Final shaping and polishing. We refine the shape and polish the tooth for a natural finish.
Bonding vs Porcelain Veneers
Many patients ask if bonding is as good as porcelain veneers. The answer depends on your goals. Both improve chips, gaps and discoloration, but they work differently.
- Bonding is applied directly to the tooth in one visit, costs less and preserves your natural tooth structure.
- Veneers are made in a lab in several visits, resist stains better and last longer.
- Bonding suits small repairs, while veneers suit larger changes or several teeth.
We examine your teeth and recommend the option that fits your smile and your budget.
Caring for Bonded Teeth
- Consider teeth whitening before bonding, because composite resin does not whiten and the shade is matched to your teeth
- Brush twice a day and floss every day
- Limit coffee, tea, red wine and smoking, which can stain the resin
- Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pens or fingernails
- Keep up regular check-ups so we can polish and inspect your bonding
- Ask us about a custom night guard if you grind your teeth
Why Choose Martindale Smiles for Composite Bonding
- An experienced cosmetic dentistry team
- Natural-looking colour matching
- Completed in a single visit
- A conservative approach that preserves tooth structure
- An affordable cosmetic solution
- Open seven days a week, with same-day appointments available
- Direct insurance billing available
Related Treatments
- Porcelain veneers in Northeast Calgary: a lasting option for larger cosmetic changes.
- Teeth whitening in Northeast Calgary: brighten your smile before bonding.
- Crowns and bridges in Northeast Calgary: restore teeth with larger damage.
Cost of Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments. The cost depends on how many teeth you treat and the size and complexity of each repair. We explain the cost before we begin, so there are no surprises.
We follow the ADA Fee Guide and offer direct billing to insurance where your plan includes eligible coverage. Bonding used to fill a cavity may be covered differently from bonding done for cosmetic reasons. Patients with the Canadian Dental Care Plan can find details on our CDCP page, and eligible First Nations and Inuit patients can learn more on our NIHB page. To receive a personalized quote, please contact our team.