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Small fix, big difference

Dental Bonding at Kitto Family Dental

That little chip or gap you notice every time you smile? Bonding fixes it in one visit, usually without numbing, and keeps your natural tooth.

Schedule OnlineCall (805) 922-4109
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Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS·Last updated
4.9 out of 5 from 473 Google reviews (as of October 2026). Read them on GoogleCaring for Santa Maria families for more than 40 yearsThree dentists accepting new patients

Dental bonding for chips and small gaps.

Dental bonding repairs small chips, gaps, and uneven edges with tooth-colored resin, usually in a single visit and often without numbing. At Kitto Family Dental in Santa Maria, Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer shapes and polishes the resin to match your tooth. Bonding costs less than a crown and keeps more of your natural tooth, but it can stain or chip over time.

What are the benefits of dental bonding?

Chips, smoothed

Tooth-colored resin rebuilds small chipped edges.

Small gaps, closed

Small spaces between teeth can often be closed.

Spots, covered

Stains whitening can’t lift can be covered.

Little to no drilling

Little or no tooth needs to be removed.

Usually under an hour per tooth

Most teeth take 30 to 60 minutes.

Easy to touch up

Chips in bonding can be touched up. Large breaks may need a crown.

What bonding can fix.

  • Small chips on front or side teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Short, uneven, or worn edges
  • Spots or stains that whitening won’t lift
  • Exposed root surfaces near the gumline that feel sensitive

When something else may fit better

Large breaks, heavily filled teeth, and teeth under heavy biting force often do better with a crown. If you want many teeth lighter, whitening usually comes first. We’ll tell you which option fits, simplest first.

The Kitto bonding process.

  1. Exam and shade match

    We check the tooth for decay or cracks, then pick a resin shade that blends in. New patient? See your first visit.

  2. Prepare the surface

    We gently roughen the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid so the resin holds. Most bonding needs no numbing.

  3. Sculpt and harden

    We add the resin in thin layers, shape it by hand, and harden each layer with a blue light.

  4. Polish and bite check

    We polish it to a natural shine and check your bite. Most teeth take about 30 to 60 minutes.

Bonding or a crown?

BondingCrown
VisitsUsually oneUsually two
Tooth removedLittle or noneSome reshaping
Typical lifespanSeveral years, depending on bite and habitsMany years with good care
Stain resistanceCan pick up stain over timeResists stain
Best forSmall chips, gaps, and edgesLarge breaks and weak teeth

Caring for bonded teeth.

  • Don’t bite nails, pens, ice, or hard candy with bonded teeth.
  • Go easy on coffee, tea, and red wine for the first two days.
  • Keep regular cleanings. We polish bonding to keep its shine.
  • Planning to whiten? Do it before bonding, because resin doesn’t whiten.

Who you’ll see.

Portrait of Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Practicing since 2011, in the practice her father, Dr. Robert Kitto, founded. Full-scope family and restorative care.

Every doctor here sees kids and adults, and you can ask for the same doctor each visit. Meet all three dentists.

Insurance, minus the headache.

  • Most PPO plans welcome. We check your benefits before your visit, including deductible and remaining yearly maximum.
  • A written estimate first. For anything beyond a routine preventive visit, you see what insurance is expected to pay and what you owe before we begin.
  • We file the claim. You don’t need to send anything to your carrier yourself.
  • No insurance? No problem. We explain costs up front. Our membership plan covers routine care for one yearly fee, and CareCredit or Cherry financing can help with larger treatment.

Not sure what your plan covers?

Call with your carrier name and member ID. We’ll tell you what to expect before you book. Heads up: we don’t participate in most DHMO or Medi-Cal dental plans.

Check my coverage

Insurance and payment details

Why fix a small chip?

A small chip can catch your tongue, collect stain, or grow over time. Bonding repairs it quickly and protects the edge before it gets bigger.

Got questions? We’ve got answers

Have questions about dental bonding?

Does dental bonding hurt?
Usually not. Most bonding needs no drilling into sensitive parts of the tooth and no numbing. If a chip is close to the nerve or near the gum, we may numb the area for comfort.
How long does bonding last?
Bonding often lasts several years. How long depends on where it is, how you bite, and habits like chewing ice or grinding. Small touch-ups are quick when needed.
Can bonding stain?
Yes, resin can pick up stain from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco over time. Regular cleanings and polishing help keep it bright.
Can bonding be repaired if it chips?
Yes. A chipped bond can usually be repaired or replaced in one short visit.
Can bonding close the gap between my front teeth?
Small gaps often can be closed with bonding. Larger gaps may need another approach, which we can explain at a consultation.
Should I get bonding or a crown?
Bonding fits small repairs and keeps more natural tooth. A crown fits teeth with large breaks or many fillings. We look at the tooth and tell you which will hold up better.
Does insurance cover bonding?
When bonding repairs a broken tooth, many plans cover part of it. When it is purely cosmetic, plans often don’t. We check your benefits and give you an estimate first.
Will I know the cost before treatment, and when do I pay?
Yes. Before any treatment beyond your exam and cleaning, you get a written plan with a cost estimate. If you have insurance, we check your benefits first and file the claim for you. Your portion is due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, major credit cards, and financing through CareCredit or Cherry for larger treatment. See insurance and payment.

Why people love Kitto.

4.9

473 Google reviews as of October 2026.

Hear it from the neighbors

While you’re here.

Swipe for more. It all happens right here on East Main.

Light reading (for your teeth).

Patient guideDental Emergencies: When to Call vs. When to WaitWhich tooth problems need same-day care, and which can wait.Patient guideAn Old Filling Needs Attention. What Should You Ask?Questions that help you understand a filling or crown recommendation.Patient guideIt Has Been Years. Where Do I Start?The first step back is smaller than you think. No lectures.

We accept most PPO plans, CareCredit, Cherry, and offer a membership plan for patients without insurance.

Ready to say bye to that chip?

Book a visit and we’ll show you what bonding can do for your tooth, with the cost before we start.

Book a visitCall (805) 922-4109
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