Composite Bonding

Learn about composite bonding, including how the bonding procedure works and aftercare advice.

A smiling woman looking at her teeth in a dentist chair showing composite bonding results

What is Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding is the process of adding tooth-coloured filling material to teeth to improve their shape and appearance. Designed to improve the appearance of your front teeth, composite bonding uses specially formulated composite resin to change the size, shape and colour of the teeth.

Composite bonding is an excellent way to enhance your smile without the need for any invasive procedures. Tooth-coloured bonding treatment is applied to your existing teeth, a quick and affordable solution to minor imperfections, chips and gaps.

Benefits of composite bonding

Fast

Composite bonding can usually be completed in one visit by the dentist.

Effective

You’ll leave your appointment with the smile you always wanted.

Non-invasive

Composite bonding is non-invasive and doesn’t require tooth structure removal.

How it works

Consultation

We examine your dentition and discuss your options, concerns, risks and benefits of treatment.

Treatment.

Once you are happy to proceed, the surface of the tooth is appropriately prepared and a bonding agent is applied to your teeth

Resin

Composite resin is then sculpted on to your tooth surface

Fixing

This is carried out using a light cure system which sets the composite

Aftercare

Follow home care advice to maintain your new smile, which will require regular maintenance visits to your dentist

FAQs

Why has composite bonding become so popular?

Composite bonding gives you the ability to enhance the appearance of front teeth fast, often in only 1-2 appointments. Improvements in dental materials mean that dentists can now closely match the appearance of natural teeth, or those that have had whitening treatments. Unlike porcelain veneers or crowns, composite bonding does not usually involve any removal of healthy tooth tissue, and the treatment can often be carried out painlessly without the need for injections. It’s also an affordable way of enhancing your natural smile.

Who is suitable for composite bonding?

There are few barriers to going ahead with this treatment, meaning it is suitable for many people. Of course, before starting any cosmetic treatment, it’s important that your teeth and gums are healthy and well maintained. And composite bonding must be applied to natural tooth tissue, so cannot be applied to veneers or crowns. On the other hand, this dental procedure can be done on all upper or lower front teeth or just one of them, so it could work in conjunction with other types of cosmetic treatment.

How long does the treatment take?

As each case is unique, your dentist will be able to give you a clear idea how long your planned treatment will take. To give you an idea, composite bonding for one tooth could take as little as 45 minutes, and often treatment can be completed in 1-2 appointments.

How long does composite bonding last?

For most people composite bonding will last for between 1-3 years. Some or all of the restorations may need replacement or repair at this time. In a well-maintained mouth, the dental bonding may last even longer.

What costs are involved?

An affordable option to revive moderately damaged teeth, composite bonding costs are usually much lower than for more invasive treatments such as crowns and porcelain veneers. Your dentist will be able to give you an accurate estimate once they have fully assessed your individual case.

Can you whiten composite bonding?

If you would like your teeth to be whitened in addition to composite bonding, we recommend you go ahead with your teeth whitening treatments first. This means that the dentist can colour-match to your newly whitened teeth, giving you a gleaming smile.

Is composite bonding reversible?

Yes, it is possible to reverse composite bonding. It can be removed with little or no damage to your natural teeth if required as long as no alterations were made to your natural teeth before placement of the bonding materials.

Is composite bonding safe?

There are no significant risks associated with composite bonding or bonded teeth. The only potential hazard to keep in mind if you have composite bonding is it is possible for the resin to chip or separate from your natural tooth. However compared with porcelain veneers or crowns this is much easier to correct or repair.

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