Direct bonding is a dental procedure in which a tooth-colored composite resin material is applied directly to a tooth and hardened using a special light. The material is then shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth, creating a natural-looking restoration. Direct bonding is often used to repair small chips or cracks, close gaps between teeth, or change the shape or color of a tooth. It is a relatively quick and easy procedure that can be done in one visit to the dentist.

Dental fillings are made of single or composite materials used to repair teeth. Most commonly, dental fillings are made of materials such as gold, silver amalgam, porcelain, plastic and glass. The most popular use of dental fillings is to treat decay from dental cavities and fix chips and cracks in the teeth. Dental fillings are also used to repair teeth that are worn down from misuse such as grinding. The filling material is shaped and hardened to restore the tooth to its normal function and appearance.

Dental bonding and dental fillings are similar procedures, but they have some key differences. Dental bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin material to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or misaligned. The composite resin is applied to the tooth and then hardened with a special light. Lastly, the material is shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth.

Dental filling, on the other hand, is a procedure used to repair cavities or other damage to teeth. It involves removing decay or damaged tooth material and replacing it with a filling material such as composite resin, amalgam, or glass ionomer cement.

Both procedures can be used to repair teeth and both can be done by a dentist or a supervised dental hygienist. However, the main difference is that dental bonding is used to repair cosmetic issues, while dental fillings are used to repair structural issues.

Dental bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin material to repair and improve the appearance of teeth. It is typically used to correct cosmetic issues such as:

Chipped or broken teeth: Dental bonding can be used to build up and reshape a chipped or broken tooth to make it look whole again.

Discolored or stained teeth: The composite resin can be used to change the color of a tooth to match the surrounding teeth.

Gaps between teeth: Dental bonding can be used to fill in gaps between teeth to improve their appearance.

Uneven or misshapen teeth: The composite resin can be used to reshape or contour teeth to make them look more symmetrical.

Worn-down teeth: Dental bonding can be used to build up worn-down teeth to improve their appearance and function.

The procedure is relatively quick and painless, and the results can be seen immediately. The longevity of the bond is usually 3 to 10 years depending on the location of the bonding and the patient’s oral hygiene.

Dental fillings are used to repair cavities caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that eats away at the tooth’s enamel and dentin. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain, sensitivity, and eventually lead to tooth loss. Dental fillings can repair cavities by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the area with a filling material that seals the tooth and prevents further decay.

Additionally, dental fillings can also be used to repair teeth that have been damaged in other ways, such as cracking, chipping, or breaking. The filling will restore the tooth’s shape, strength and function. Fillings are not always a permanent solution. They may need to be replaced at some point in the future depending on the location of the filling and the patient’s oral hygiene. To learn more about dental bonding and filling, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 3620 S Bristol St Suite 307, Santa Ana, CA 92704. We serve patients from Santa Ana CA, Orange CA, Anaheim CA, Irvine CA, Garden Grove CA, Westminster CA, Lakewood CA, Costa Mesa CA, and South Coast metro areas.