Things You Need To Know About Composite Bonding

Composite bonding or cosmetic bonding is a procedure where the dentist adds a special coloured resin to your teeth to improve their appearance.

It is absolutely pain free, no anaesthesia is needed and there is no permanent alteration to the natural tooth structure, as no drilling is necessary.

Using modern materials and simple techniques, composite bonding is an affordable and faster alternative to dental crowns or veneers, as it can be done in one single visit to the dentist, which saves you time and money.

Composite Bonding For Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can be helped with composite bonding. Adding resin strategically can hide or mascarade misaligned teeth, improving the appearance of your smile. However it is important to bear in mind that composite bonding can only correct minor positional problems.

With teeth that are more severely misaligned we would recommend an orthodontic treatment prior to bonding.

Composite Bonding For Bottom Teeth

Your bottom teeth can also be improved aesthetically through composite bonding, however there are some factors that need to be considered before going down this road; patients bite and bottom teeth meet.

Bruxism or dental grinding would omit a patient from receiving composite bonding, simply put the composite bonding would not be strong enough.

Can Composite Bonding Close Gaps In My Front Teeth?

Composite is a great solution for closing the gap in your front teeth. Either for a single gap or multiple small gaps between all the teeth, you can achieve amazing results with bonding.

The dentist places the composite resin on the teeth, the gap is closed, which makes them ore discrete.

Composite Bonding Versus Veneers

Some differences to consider between composite and veneers:

Differences Between Composite Bonding & Veneers

Composite Bonding	Veneers
Non-invasive treatment. No drilling or permanent damage to the natural teeth is done, and it can be easily repaired if needed.	Veneers are irreversible, as the tooth needs to be drilled to perfectly fit it.
Offers immediate results, as it can be done in one single visit to the dentist.	Veneers require at least two visits, with a space of a few weeks between them, so the technicians have time to prepare the veneer in the dental laboratory.
Cheaper than porcelain veneers. Composite bonding is between €250 and €300 per tooth.	A porcelain veneer starts from €500 per tooth.
Lasts from 5 to 7 years, if the patient takes good care of it.	Porcelain veneers are expected to last at least 15 years.
They don’t break or chip easily and they don’t stain or discolour as the composite resin does.	Porcelain veneers are significantly more resistant than composite bondings.

The best way to determine which solution is right for you is to talk to your dentist about your aesthetic goals.

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution, then composite bonding is a very good fit.

However, if the patient has a severe aesthetic problem and is looking for a long lasting solution, then porcelain veneers might be the best option.

Does It Hurt?

Absolutely not, composite bonding is pain free. No injection, no anesthetic.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Composite Bonding

Advantages	Disadvantages
Painless procedure – No injections required	It is not as strong as other cosmetic materials – the bonding can break or chip under pressure.
No drilling – The tooth structure is preserved	Composite resin can stain under certain habits and pigments, like smoking or frequent coffee/tea drinking. Some types of food and drinks can also cause discoloration of the composite.
Durability – Bonding is expected to last between 5 to 7 years if the patient takes good care of it and has regular visits to the hygienist.	It is short, compared to the 15 years that a porcelain veneer is expected to last.
No lab work necessary – Can be done in one single visit to the dentist.
Price – Cheaper than other cosmetic treatments