What bonding is
The same composite resin used for fillings, applied to the outside of a tooth and shaped by hand. It is matched to your tooth color, hardened with a light, then smoothed and polished.
What it is used for
Chipped corners, small cracks, a tooth that sits shorter than the one beside it, a gap you would rather close, and discoloration that whitening has not reached.
When it is the right choice
Bonding is the quickest and least invasive of the cosmetic options. Little or no enamel has to be removed, so the tooth is not committed to anything permanent, and most cases are finished in one visit.
How it compares to a veneer
Composite is softer than porcelain. It picks up stain over the years and it can chip, so bonding is generally redone sooner than a veneer would be. For one small repair that is a fair trade. Across several front teeth, veneers tend to hold up longer.
