Advanced Dental Education and Research

Bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin (plastic) to repair a tooth. Bonding can be used on teeth that are decayed, chipped, broken or discolored. Veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front parts of teeth. If most of the tooth remains, veneers can improve the look of the tooth without cutting it down enough to place a crown. They are similar to artificial fingernails. A dental inlay or on lay is bigger than a filling and smaller than a crown. It is bonded or cemented into place. The purpose is to change the length, shape or surface contours of a tooth. This is a relatively quick and painless procedure. It is also called tooth reshaping or odontoplasty. Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration.