BONDING

Procedure: Bonding restores teeth that are chipped, cracked, misaligned or discolored. A plastic resin somewhat like putty is used to rebuild the teeth and make them look natural. Visits: Usually one, although more complex cases may require several visits. Durability: A bonded tooth can usually last three to five years before it needs to be touched up to correct wear or discoloration.

Chipped Tooth After Bonding After the tooth is prepared, a tooth-colored plastic putty called composite resin is applied and shaped to fill in chips or to correct other problems. The resin is exposed for 20 to 60 seconds to a bonding light that dries and hardens it. Then the tooth is smoothed and polished.

BLEACHING

Procedure: Bleaching lightens surface stains caused by coffee, tea, food and age. Visits: Six to eight teeth can be bleached during one visit, but teeth may need to be bleached several times to achieve maximum results. Or you may be a candidate for doctor-prescribed, patient-applied home bleaching. Durability: Bleached teeth may need touching up every year.

Discolored or stained teeth After bleaching top teeth A bleaching solution is applied to the stained teeth and activated with heat or a combination of heat and light. the solution is then rinsed off, revealing lighter-colored teeth. An alternative: wearing a prescribed bleaching tray under your dentist's supervision.

PORCELAIN VENEERS

Procedure: Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells adhered onto the surfaces of prepared teeth in much the same way that false fingernails are applied. Veneers correct or camouflage severe discoloration, damage, misalignment, or teeth that are poorly shaped. Visits: Two - one to prepare the teeth and make an impression, the other to apply and finish the veneer. Durability: Veneers are much more durable and last considerably longer than bonding.

Severely discolored tooth; chipped tooth After veneers A thin layer of enamel is removed (shown), an impression is taken, and a veneer is fabricated to fit the tooth. After the tooth is etced with an acidic solution and painted with an adhesive resin, the veneer is applied, and the resin is hardened with a bonding light. The dentist then removes excess cement and finished the veneer.