Cosmetic dentistry
Dental bonding for chips & gaps
Bonding repairs a chip, closes a small gap or reshapes a tooth with tooth-coloured resin, usually in one visit and often with no numbing at all.
- Time in the chair
- 30–60 min per tooth
- Visits
- One
- Numbing
- Usually not needed
- Typical cost
- $150–$700 per tooth
What it is
Bonding uses the same composite resin as a white filling, sculpted onto the outside of a tooth. It is a quick, conservative way to fix small things: a chipped front tooth, a gap between two teeth, a tooth that is a little short, a dark spot. Little or no tooth is removed.
Bonding isn’t as stain-resistant or long-lasting as porcelain. Expect to touch it up or redo it every five to ten years. For bigger changes, veneers or crowns may make more sense.
Who does this here
Dr. Marcus Tellez
Dr. Meera SethiWhat to expect, step by step
Colour match
We choose the resin shade with you, by the window in natural light.
Preparing the surface
The tooth surface is gently roughened and a conditioning liquid applied so the resin grips. Usually no numbing is needed.
Sculpting
Resin is applied, shaped by hand and hardened with a blue light, layer by layer.
Polishing
We shape and polish it to match the shine of your other teeth, and check your bite.
How long it takes
About 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, all in one visit.
There is no recovery time. Go easy on coffee, tea and red wine for 48 hours while the surface settles.
What it costs
$150–$700
Typical U.S. range, per tooth, before insurance
Most patients pay somewhere in this range. Your exact cost depends on the size of the repair and how much shaping it takes.
Cosmetic bonding usually isn’t covered. Bonding that repairs a broken tooth sometimes is.
This is a guide, not our fee and not a quote. After your exam you get a written estimate, and we check your insurance, before anything starts. Call (602) 555-0148 for a quote. Where these ranges come from.
Questions patients ask
How long does bonding last?
Usually five to ten years, depending on the tooth and habits like nail-biting or chewing pens.
Can bonding be whitened?
No. If you want whiter teeth too, whiten first and we bond to match the new shade.
How to book
Use our request form and we’ll call you back within one business day to pick a time, or call us now on (602) 555-0148. Tell us it’s for bonding and we’ll book the right length of visit.