One of the most common minimally invasive dental procedures, Composite Bonding, can be done to repair teeth that have been decayed, chipped, worn down, discoloured or just to improve the smile, shape, colour, and contour.

The process involves a small amount of resin being added to the affected tooth or teeth to improve it’s proportions, colour and appearance.

The resin is then sculpted to an ideal shape and then set onto your teeth using a special light.

Composite bonding is a more affordable alternative to some cosmetic dental treatments like veneers. The procedure requires great skill and artistry on the part of the dentist, so the results look natural and can change your smile dramatically in as little as one appointment.

Composite bonding is very versatile and can be used to treat various clinical scenarios:

• Smile makeovers
• Repair chipped or broken teeth
• Treat teeth with cavities
• Close gaps between teeth
• Improve the shape, size, and colour of teeth
• Treat worn down teeth
• Improve the colour of dark teeth
• Improve the alignment of teeth

Advantages:

• Often completed within a single visit for simpler cases without local anesthetic.
• Usually requires little or no drilling of the tooth structure, meaning less pain and discomfort.
• Less drilling of your tooth than a crown or veneer
• Cheaper than porcelain restorations such as crowns and veneers.
• Easier and cheaper to repair compared to ceramic restorations, hence easier long term maintenance.
• Easier to make small changes to shape and size as per your desire once bonded.
• Considered to be reversible, so can be removed with little/no damage to the underlying tooth if disliked.

What does the procedure involve? 

The tooth is treated with specific gels and liquids to allow the resin material to stick to the tooth. The composite resin material with a colour similar to your teeth is then sculpted in layers as required to re-shape the tooth and finally set using a bright light. Once completed, the restoration is polished to look undetectable to the naked eye and feel like a natural tooth.

Is composite bonding suitable for me?

Composite bonding is ideal for anyone who would like to improve the appearance of their smile as an alternative to expensive restorative procedures like crowns and veneers. 

How long does it last?

For most patients, composite bonding will look at its best for around 5-7 years. Sometimes they can last for longer in patients who really follow maintenance instructions and look after their composite bonding. Because bonding requires maintenance, regular dental checks are required every 6 months so your dentist can monitor how your composite bonding is performing. Composite bonding maintenance such as re-polishing, resurfacing or repairing a stained or chipped edge is sometimes all that is needed.