Procedure hub · United States
Dental bonding: the procedure hub.
One material, one procedure, one cost structure. This hub collects the guides on what dental bonding is, what it costs, how it compares with veneers and crowns, and how to find a dentist.
Dental bonding
Tooth-colored composite resin is shaped onto a chipped, gapped, stained or misshapen tooth and hardened with a curing light. Usually one visit, with little or no enamel removal.
CostDental bonding cost
Per tooth, by repair type, by provider and by city. What the quote should include.
ComparisonBonding vs veneers
Cost, enamel removal, longevity and stain resistance side by side.
ComparisonBonding vs crowns
When a repair is large enough to need a full-coverage crown.
Cost at a glance
| Repair | Typical range | Unit | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental bonding — small chip or rough edge | $100 – $300 | per tooth | A thin layer of resin on one corner. The lowest end of the planning range. |
| Dental bonding — larger repair or reshaping | $300 – $600 | per tooth | More resin, layering and shade matching. Front teeth usually sit here. |
| Gap closure (diastema) | $400 – $900 | for two teeth | Two teeth are shaped and bonded, so the fee is usually quoted for the pair. |
| Full facial-surface bonding | $400 – $600+ | per tooth | Rebuilding the visible face of a tooth. Complex cases can exceed the range. |
| Porcelain veneer (comparison) | $900 – $2,500 | per tooth | Laboratory-made shell; enamel is usually removed. Two to three visits. |
| Dental crown (comparison) | $800 – $2,500 | per tooth | Full coverage cap for a heavily damaged or root-canal-treated tooth. |
Cash-pay planning ranges for the US, updated November 2026. They exclude consultations, imaging, prescriptions and any correction appointments billed separately.
Four questions that make quotes comparable
1. What is the unit?
Ask whether the quote is per tooth, per surface, or for the pair when a gap is closed. A $250 quote for a corner repair is not comparable with a $900 quote for two teeth.
2. Who places it?
Ask who holds the handpiece, what their licence is, and whether the dentist personally does the shade matching and finishing.
3. What is included?
Shade matching, layering, polishing, bite adjustment and the repair policy are commonly separate. Get the all-in number in writing.
4. What is the repair policy?
If the resin chips or debonds, who pays for the repair? The answer should be in the treatment plan, not just in the sales conversation.
Common questions
What is the dental bonding procedure?
Dental bonding applies a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth, shapes it, hardens it with a curing light and polishes it. It can repair a chip, close a gap, mask a stain or change the shape of a tooth, usually in one visit.
How much does dental bonding cost?
The US planning range is $100–$600 per tooth, with a published national average near $431. A small chip sits at the low end; a full facial-surface repair sits at the high end.
Is dental bonding reversible?
Usually yes. Bonding typically requires little or no enamel removal, unlike veneers and crowns. A dentist can remove or reshape the resin, though the tooth may need polishing afterwards.
How long does dental bonding last?
Cleveland Clinic puts the typical lifespan at three to ten years before a touch-up or replacement. Bonding on a biting edge wears fastest; gap-closing bonding lasts longest.
Who performs dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a core general-dentistry procedure. General dentists, cosmetic dentists and prosthodontists all offer it; the right provider depends on the size and position of the repair.
Edited by Elena March, Health Editor. Not medical advice. See the methodology.