What Is Dental Bonding and How Does It Work?

Written by Alicia Racelis, PhD
Medically Reviewed by Robert Brennan, DDS on June 18, 2025
7 min read

Dental bonding is a treatment that involves sticking a tooth-colored material to your teeth. Your dentist can quickly etch (roughen) your teeth with a little phosphoric acid. This helps the bonding material — called resin — stick firmly to your tooth.

A special light hardens the plastic, composite resin. Dental bonding can whiten or fix chipped teeth. It can also repair tooth decay and restore your smile. Learn how veneers are different and all about dental bonding.

Teeth bonding can help:

  • Repair decayed teeth (composite resins often fill cavities)
  • Repair chipped or cracked teeth
  • Improve the color of your teeth
  • Close spaces between your teeth
  • Make your teeth look longer
  • Change the shape of your teeth
  • Fill your cavity using composite resin instead of amalgam
  • Protect your tooth's exposed root after your gums move back
  • Transform the shape and look of your mouth

Composite resin is the material used in about 72% of restorations. And the resin is commonly used in tooth bonding, too.

In dental bonding, composite resin is shaped and hardened on your tooth in one visit. Veneers are customized tooth coverings made in a lab. You'll usually need a few dental visits for veneers.

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin shells attached to the front of your teeth. They're made of composite resin or porcelain. And the etching for veneers goes deeper.

Veneer shells have some risks such as:

  • Removing up to 30% of your healthy tooth tissue
  • Not completely sealing your teeth
  • Stains and cavities forming underneath the shells
  • The process causing tooth loss
  • Not being able to reverse them
  • Chips or peels needing repair or a crown
  • Higher risk for gum disease such as gingivitis, recession, or periodontitis

Do veneers work for everyone?

Veneers may not work for everyone. Your dentist may suggest another option if your teeth have:

  • Decay
  • Gum disease
  • Too little enamel
  • Signs of grinding, which can break veneers

Dental bonding can be a good short-term cosmetic fix. It can help fix your front teeth — where your bite pressure is lower. And the resin can also fill in missing parts of a tooth.

What happens before dental bonding?

Anesthesia usually isn't needed for dental bonding. But you may need it if your tooth:

  • Needs a filling
  • Requires drilling for shape changes
  • Has a chip near a nerve

Your dentist selects your resin color using a shade guide, which will help closely match the color of your tooth.

What happens during dental bonding?

Your dentist will likely protect your nearby teeth before starting. They can use a film or dental dam. Your dentist can use different bonding systems. To save time, they may use a one-step system to bond your tooth.

If you're missing enamel, your dentin layer can show, putting you at higher risk for cavities. With dentin, a two-step bonding system works better.

To complete dental bonding, your dentist may:

  • Etch your tooth with phosphoric acid. This roughens your tooth's surface to help the resin stick.
  • Apply a conditioning liquid and primer. This gets rid of the "smear" layer. The chemicals clean and dry your tooth.
  • Shape the adhesive resin. They'll mold and smooth the putty onto your tooth. The color also blends with your tooth. 
  • Use a light (blue LED) to harden the composite resin.
  • Trim and shape your tooth.
  • Polish your tooth to match your bite.

What happens after dental bonding?

Your dentist will make sure the dental floss passes between your teeth. They'll review how you can care for your new tooth. The process takes about 30-60 minutes.

Dental bonding usually matches the color of your other teeth and can restore broken or chipped teeth. Talk with your dentist about the best cosmetic option for you.

Oral health is important, and good oral hygiene is key to keeping your teeth long-term. While dental bonding is helpful, it isn't as strong as your regular teeth.

Here are the benefits and risks of dental bonding.

Advantages of dental bonding

  • Bonding your teeth can be quick and easy. It's usually done in one visit. But with many teeth, you may need to come back.
  • The process can save you money in the short term.
  • Dental bonding can improve your teeth, mouth, and appearance. 
  • It can help rebuild your teeth affected by problems such as cleft lip and palate or tooth trauma.

Dental bonding also removes very little enamel. And unless you're filling a cavity, you likely won't need anesthesia.

Disadvantages of dental bonding

If your teeth are healthy, your dentist may not suggest bonding. Your dentist may only suggest it for small cosmetic changes. 

With dental bonding, your repaired tooth may:

  • Not match the color of your other teeth
  • Stain over time because dental bonding doesn't resist stains like a crown
  • Not last as long as a crown, veneer, or filling
  • Chip or break off of your tooth

Your dentist may offer bonding as a short-term correction. If your tooth is in a low bite pressure area, bonding may work. Talk with your dentist about what's best for your teeth.

Special care can help your bonded tooth last. And keeping your mouth healthy (good oral hygiene) helps your teeth.

Regularly brush and floss your newly bonded tooth. When you floss your bonded tooth, try not to pull the floss up. Instead, pull the string horizontally through your teeth.

To keep your teeth clean, you can:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. And don't forget to brush your tongue, too.
  • Floss at least once a day.
  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash every day.

See your dentist for regular professional cleanings. Your dentist can catch any tooth problems early.

Prevent chips and breaks

Some habits can shorten your bonded tooth's lifespan. 

To keep your bonded tooth longer, you may: 

  • Avoid biting down too hard. It can chip your tooth.
  • Stop biting your fingernails, pens, or other hard objects (metal or hard candy). It can break your tooth off. 
  • Quit smoking or cut back on tobacco products.
  • Stop drinking dark beverages such as colas.
  • Avoid acidic foods such as vinegar, pineapple, coffee, or red wine. They can quickly stain your bonding material.
  • Stay away from mouthwashes containing alcohol. The alcohol can soften your resin.

If you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard. Covering your teeth at night can protect your newly bonded tooth. And if you notice sharp edges or feel something odd, see your dentist sooner.

The lifespan can depend on why it was done and how well you care for your teeth. Good oral habits help your tooth last longer.

Your dental bonding may last:

  • More than 10 years if it is done to treat decay and your enamel is mostly intact
  • Up to 10 years if it is done for filling in tooth gaps or when more tooth tissue is missing
  • About 5-10 years if it is done to fix chips, deeper fillings, or worn/eroded areas

If your bonded tooth is repaired, it may not last as long. Typically, composite resin repairs can last six months to many years.

The cost of dental bonding may vary. It can depend on where you live. And composite resin (tooth-colored filling) usually costs more than amalgam. Amalgam, also known as "silver filling," is the standard dental filling.

Generally, each composite resin filling can range from $100 to $400. It's the most popular type. On average, one filling can cost $191. But with more dental work, your cost may be higher.

Sometimes, your insurance may not cover the resin. Check with your dental insurance to see if dental bonding is covered.

Options for dental care

If you don't have coverage, you can still get dental care. 

Here are some ways to find low-cost or free dental care:

Local dental schools. Some schools offer free or low-cost services. A student, resident, or faculty dentist may treat you under a licensed dentist.

Community health centers. These centers are government-funded. Many have affordable, sliding fees based on your income.

Nonprofit groups. Dental Lifeline Network clinics offer free dental care. You may qualify if you're over 65, have a disability, or require medically necessary treatment.

Dental clinics accepting Medicaid .The program covers dental care if you're under 21. And some states cover dental care if you're older than 21, too.

You can also consider a dental savings plan. Also called a dental discount plan. It's like a membership program. You'll get a discount with certain dentists. Although you'll pay a low yearly fee, you can get up to 60% off some dental care.

Dental bonding uses composite resin to quickly fill in or repair your damaged tooth and restore your smile. With good oral hygiene and care, your bonded tooth can last up to 10 years. Talk to your dentist and find out if dental bonding is right for you.

Is teeth bonding a good idea?

There are benefits to dental bonding. The process doesn't remove as much enamel as veneers or a crown. Bonding is also a quick, easy repair. Dental bonding can improve how your teeth and mouth look. And the lower cost can last up to 10 years.

How long does dental bonding last?

If used to fill a cavity, dental bonding can last more than 10 years. But if more enamel is lost, dental bonding lasts only 5-10 years.

Can front teeth be bonded?

Dental bonding is often used for your front teeth. That's because your front teeth have lower bite pressure.

How painful is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is usually painless. You likely won't feel anything. 

But you may need medicine to numb your tooth if you: 

  • Get bonding to fill a cavity
  • Bond a tooth near a root