No matter how vigilant you are with your oral hygiene regime, a chipped tooth can happen at any time. You might bite into something hard or be involved in a sporting accident. It’s something you, unfortunately, have no control over. Thankfully it’s not something you have to live with. There are some tooth repair options your dentist could use to fix your chipped tooth including crowns and veneers. But the quickest and often most effective option you could use is cosmetic bonding.

Cosmetic bonding, or dental bonding as it is otherwise known, is the process in which resin is applied to the tooth. This enhances the appearance of the tooth by hiding the imperfections caused by the chip. Your dentist will choose a suitable colour before the resin is applied to help it blend in with the rest of your teeth. The end results are often so good that it is hard for other people to tell the difference.

Unlike veneers and crowns which take a long time to complete, cosmetic bonding can be done quickly. Little preparation is needed before the resin is applied to the surface of your tooth. Your dentist will need to choose which shade of resin to apply to your teeth by using a colour chart. They will then roughen your tooth and use a special conditioning gel or liquid on its surface. This will help the resin adhere more successfully and give it a stronger hold. The resin can then be applied and shaped to look as natural as possible. Ultraviolet light is then used to help it harden and set into place. This only takes a matter of minutes.

All in all the entire procedure should take no more than an hour to complete. This is extremely convenient and allows you to return to work or home in no time at all.

Anaesthesia is commonly used by dentists when repairing chipped and damaged teeth. This makes the patient feel more at ease and comfortable throughout the procedure. But unfortunately, some patients do feel unwell or drowsy once it is complete. This can force them to take time off work and seek medical assistance. However, cosmetic bonding does not require general anaesthesia. This means once your procedure is complete you can continue your day as normal without any side effects.

Cosmetic bonding can help you regain a tooth that looks and works as before. But it’s important to realise that they may need replacing and occasionally touched up in future. You will be required to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to keep them in top condition. You should also ensure you continue to brush your teeth each day and avoid hard foods such as boiled sweets and ice. This will extend the wear of the resin and keep your smile looking fantastic.

So if you or your child has a chipped tooth, cosmetic bonding could be a quick and efficient solution. Don’t delay and make an appointment with your dentist to get the process started as soon as possible.