INTRODUCTION
Over time, little things can conspire to damage your smile - a chip, a crack, discoloration, noticeable fillings in your front teeth, small gaps between teeth, teeth that are uneven.

Fortunately, there's a simple, pain-free, long-lasting and cost-effective dental procedure that can restore the beauty of your smile.

Tooth bonding.

Tooth bonding is the term used when a dentist "bonds" a tooth-colored resin to your tooth in order to change its shape or color, increase its size or repair a defect.

It's probably the most conservative of all the cosmetic dentistry procedures practiced today. That's because tooth bonding involves minimum alteration to the original tooth enamel, it's reversible if none of the tooth enamel is removed, and the results are seen immediately.

What's more, it's virtually painless and can usually be performed without the use of an anesthetic.

The process of tooth bonding became available in the 1960's with the development of a composite resin that could be made to look identical to existing teeth, resulting in a more natural smile. At first it was used exclusively on the front teeth. But with advances in technology, the strength and durability of the material was greatly improved and can now be used on molars as well as anterior teeth.

With proper care, bonding usually lasts from 5 - 8 years.

Tooth bonding is used to:

• Close small gaps between front teeth and repair some chips and cracks.
  
• Conceal discoloration.
  
• Protect exposed roots caused by gum recession (this helps both reduce the possibility of tooth decay and helps prevent sensitivity to temperature changes).
  
• Restore decaying teeth (the tooth-colored bonding material is an excellent and undetectable filling).
  
• Seal and protect your children's teeth from cavities.