A filling replaces decay inside a tooth. Bonding rebuilds a chip or a small gap on the surface. Many of these repairs finish in a single visit.
Kentfield Dental is seeing patients at a temporary office in Mill Valley while the Kentfield office is under renovation. The practice cares for families across Marin County and the Bay Area. Dr. Soroush Ghaffarpour, DDS writes these notes.
What a tooth-colored filling repairs
A tooth-colored filling replaces a small area of decay, or a failing old filling, with composite resin shaded to the tooth. The damaged part is removed, the space is cleaned and shaped, and the material is bonded in layers. A light hardens it during the visit, so you leave with the repair in place.
This is the usual fix for a small cavity or a groove that has started to break down. The point is to keep as much of the natural tooth as possible and to stop a small problem from turning into a larger repair later.
When bonding is the closer match
Bonding uses a similar tooth-colored material, but it is added onto the surface instead of packed into a cavity. It can repair a chip, close a small gap between front teeth, or cover a stain that teeth whitening will not lift.
Bonding fits when the tooth is otherwise healthy. A crack, a large break, or a tooth that has already lost a lot of structure may need same-day crowns or porcelain crowns so the repair can take a normal bite.
Who this visit is for
Adults and children with a small cavity, a chipped front tooth, or a dark edge on an old filling are the people this visit is for. If the tooth aches, the chip is large, or the gum is swollen, the appointment starts with an exam and an x-ray so the repair matches the problem.
At Kentfield Dental, Dr. Soroush Ghaffarpour sees patients from Mill Valley and across Marin County and the Bay Area. Visits are at a temporary office while the Kentfield office is under renovation. Call or text (415) 456-5402 or email info@kentfielddental.com.
The bottom line: Tooth-colored fillings and bonding repair small cavities, chips, and gaps while keeping as much of the natural tooth as possible.
Frequently asked questions
With steady brushing, flossing, and checkups, a tooth-colored filling often lasts for many years. Grinding, a heavy bite, or a very large repair can shorten that. If you clench at night, a nightguard is sometimes part of keeping the repair intact.
No. A filling replaces decayed tooth inside a prepared space. Bonding adds tooth-colored material to the outside of a tooth to repair a chip, close a small gap, or mask a surface stain. The material is similar. The job is different.
Often yes, when the cavity or chip is small. The tooth is shaped, the material is placed and hardened, and the bite is checked before you leave. A deeper crack may need a different plan after the exam.
Further reading: Composite fillings, from the American Dental Association