What is Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding has really grown in popularity as a cosmetic dental treatment in the last few years and is considered an ideal and less expensive solution than crowns or veneers for people with chips, gaps between the teeth, staining and discoloration, slight crookedness and misshapen teeth.

At Puresmile Ealing Dental & Implants in Ealing, West London, our dentists use the tooth-coloured composites to fill cavities, repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth and build up the worn-down edges of teeth.

What are the benefits of Composite Bonding?

Composite materials are directly applied and sculpted to the surfaces of teeth that show most prominently when you smile so we recommend composite bonding for minimally invasive smile makeovers. While dentists call them direct composite veneers, many people just refer to them generically as “bonding”.

What is the Composite Bonding process?

We’ll need to conduct a thorough examination and evaluation of your teeth and gums. During your first consultation, your dentist will discuss the clinical and cosmetic problems that direct composite bonding can resolve, such as chips, cracks, worn down teeth, gaps between teeth, and tooth discoloration.
However, if you have teeth that are extensively damaged or your dentist feels other dental issues may affect the success and longevity of composite bonding treatment, other options may be presented to you, such as crowns, orthodontics or veneers.
During the bonding process your dentist will attach dental composite materials that perfectly match your natural tooth colour, using adhesives and a high intensity curing light. The high intensity curing light will be used to harden that layer of composite, and the previous step will be repeated, then cured, until the filling or direct composite veneer has reached its final shape.
Your dentist also will create an appropriate finish to ensure that the bonded resin does not dislodge or cause tooth sensitivity and feels and looks smooth.
Pre-treatment teeth whitening may be suggested in order to better match the colour of the composite restoration to your natural teeth. If whitening is needed we may wait anywhere from 14 to 21 days before placing your direct composite restorations to ensure a proper and durable bond to your tooth structure.

Composite Bonding FAQs

How long does Composite Bonding take?

Because direct composite bonding involves the precise placement of restorative material by your Puresmile Ealing Dental & Implants dentist, the direct composite bonding procedure usually is completed in only one dental visit. More complicated or extensive treatments may require additional visits. However, there is usually no need for temporaries or waiting days or weeks for laboratory restorations.

What does Cosmetic Bonding involve?

Whether your treatment plan calls for direct composite restorations or adhesively bonded restorations, dentists start the process by using a rubber dam to isolate the teeth, to prevent interference from moisture. Depending on the extent of the treatment, anaesthetic injections may be required.

Is Cosmetic Bonding painful?

Your dentist will apply a gentle phosphoric acid solution to the surface of the natural tooth, which won’t hurt. Similar to how roughing up a surface with sandpaper can help paint adhere to it better, acid etching of the tooth surface strengthens the bond of the composite and the adhesive. After 15 seconds the phosphoric acid is removed, and a liquid bonding agent is applied.

How long does Composite Bonding last?

Composite bonding restorations offer our patients a healthy and beautiful smile that should last for many years. It’s important to follow our recommendations for proper Oral hygiene and avoid habits that could damage your restorations. Brush at least twice a day, floss once a day and schedule regular visits to your dentist and hygienist for routine examinations and cleanings. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on pens, ice or other hard objects as this can lead to chipping of the composite bonding materials. We also recommend contacting the practice if you notice any sharp edges on the bonded tooth or teeth, or if the tooth feels differently when you bite down.

How much does Composite Bonding cost?

The procedure often accompanies other dental work but is considered a less expensive cosmetic dental treatment then veneers and crowns. We recommend you contact our practice to arrange an initial consultation where we can give you an accurate cost for composite bonding. At Puresmile Ealing Dental & Implants in Ealing, West London we’re proud to be able to offer highly competitive prices for all our dental work. Please review our fees and patient finance pages for more details.

Before & After Composite Bonding

Before

After

Book an Appointment

Book with our friendly dental team by calling 020 8840 5651 or email [email protected]