What Is Composite Bonding?
Composite Bonding uses a tooth-coloured resin that the dentist applies directly to the tooth. The resin is shaped by hand. Hardened with a special light. Composite Bonding can change the look of a tooth quickly.
Bonding is especially useful when the problem is fairly small. A minor chip, an edge or a small gap can often be improved without removing much healthy tooth structure.
Why Bonding Feels Simple
• A small chip is often where Composite Bonding shines, especially if the rest of the tooth is still strong.
• Composite Bonding usually requires tooth preparation, which is a big reason the dentist might favour Composite Bonding for a genuinely minor cosmetic repair.
• Composite Bonding feels quick. You walk out. Stop thinking about the chipped edge that was annoying you all week.
What Is an Inlay?
An inlay is different because it is made to fit inside a part of the tooth. The dentist removes the damaged area. Takes an impression or digital scan. The restoration is then made to match that space before being bonded into position.
Inlays are generally used when there is damage than would be handled with a simple filling or Composite Bonding. Inlays are particularly useful for the chewing surfaces of teeth where biting forces are much stronger.
The Difference You Notice Later
• Inlay provides support for a tooth with a larger damaged area though the exact choice depends on how much healthy tooth remains.
• Inlay requires planning because the restoration has to be made to fit the tooth rather than simply shaped directly in the mouth.
Which One Makes Sense?
Choosing an inlay is a conversation. If the tooth has a cavity or damaged chewing surface the dentist needs to think about strength as well as appearance. An inlay can restore that missing section while preserving more of the remaining tooth than a larger restoration might require.
Cost matters too. It should not be the only deciding factor. The cheapest treatment is not a bargain if the tooth needs something stronger.
Composite Bonding or Inlay?
If you are dealing with a chip or a minor shape problem Composite Bonding is often the straightforward choice. Composite Bonding preserves tooth structure and can give a very natural result.
If there is a deeper or larger area of damage, inside a tooth an Inlay is usually the more appropriate type of restoration. The dentist needs to examine the tooth before deciding because the amount of remaining structure changes the answer.
