All You Need To Know About Composite Bonding In 2023

Composite Bonding is a dental procedure in which a tooth coloured material is ‘bonded’ to your natural tooth structure,  improving its shape and colour or to repair areas that may have been lost or damaged.

Composite bonding is an entirely pain free procedure - the composite material is bonded directly on to the tooth surface meaning- no drilling, no anaesthetic and no damage to your natural tooth.

‘If you have teeth which are discoloured, uneven, chipped or spaced composite bonding is a non invasive and conservative option to address these issues- completely transforming your smile.’ 

Dr Ian Kok 

Unlike more complex cosmetic procedures such as Crowns or Porcelain Veneers composite bonding can be carried out in a single visit making it a fast and affordable way to fix your smile.

Using Composite Bonding to Straighten Your Smile

Composite Bonding is often used to mask minor tooth discrepancies, giving the appearance of a straighter smile without the need for complex orthodontic treatment. 

By strategically adding composite to certain areas of the teeth your dentist can hide minor tooth position problems to improve your smile. 

In cases where crowding is more severe a course of orthodontic treatment may be required beforehand.

Composite Bonding After Orthodontic Treatment

Many orthodontic patients will also opt to undergo the Composite Bonding procedure after their orthodontic treatment is complete to maximise and perfect their newly straightened smile. 

As misaligned teeth are in an non optimal position they will often become chipped and worn with time. This becomes most obvious once the teeth have been straightened and sometimes patients can be left unsatisfied with the final result. 

Simply adding Composite can improve the tooth shape and length after straightening has been carried out allowing you to reach your aesthetic goals.

Composite Bonding for Bottom Teeth

Composite Bonding is a highly versatile method which can be used to improve the appearance of both the top and bottom teeth- however- sometimes due to tooth wear caused by grinding or because of a patient’s bite, Composite Bonding won’t be able to withstand the strong forces- and another method will be recommended to improve the smiles appearance.

Composite Bonding to Fill Gaps in the Smile

Composite Bonding can be used to close single or multiple small gaps in the smile. By simply adding the composite material to the teeth gaps can be completely filled or be made appear more discrete. A small addition can make a huge change to your smile. 

In some cases where a gap is very large- Composite Bonding may not be recommended as teeth will appear very large and unnatural. 

It is often necessary to undergo orthodontic treatment to close very large gaps. 

Composite Bonding vs Veneers vs Dental Crowns

The type of cosmetic treatment you undergo will depend greatly on your individual case and personal preferences - although Composite Bonding is the most efficient and conservative way to improve a smile it doesn’t always provide the best solution. 

In some cases Veneers or Dental Crowns may be required to achieve the results you desire. Here are some of the differences below:

Porcelain Veneers and Crowns

• Made from ceramic materials
• Stronger and more durable 
• Used to transform weak, broken down or badly discoloured teeth
• Requires the removal of some of the outer tooth surface
• Custom-made by dental technicians - separate appointments are required between the preparation and the fitting of these restorations
• Designed to last at least 15 years 

Composite Bonding 

• More affordable
• Treatment completed in a single visit 
• Correct minor flaws in tooth size, shape and colour
• No alteration or removal of natural tooth structure- no anaesthetic or drilling required 
• Lasts between 5-7 years if properly cared for 

The Composite Bonding Procedure

‘Composite bonding is an entirely pain free procedure- the composite material is bonded directly onto the tooth surface and so no tooth structure has to be removed.’

Dr Ian kok 

The procedure can be carried out in a number of straight forward steps: 

1. The teeth receiving the composite are gently polished  

2. A  liquid conditioner is applied to the teeth to allow the composite material to bond to the tooth surface 

3. Composite is carefully and expertly sculpted and shaped to the teeth 

4. A UV light is used to harden the composite 

5. Final smoothening and shaping of your composite is carried out to give the most natural results 

Advantages of Composite Bonding

• Completely painless procedure 
• Preserve natural tooth structure 
• Easily adjusted or removed 
• Lasts 5-7 years 
• Completed in a single visit 
• Affordable 

Smoking and Composite Bonding

Composite Bonding isn’t recommended for patients who are heavy smokers- as the composite is more likely to stain over time giving poorer and unaesthetic results.

If smoking cessation is not an option for you there are still ways to improve your smile - Techniques such as Veneers and Crowns are less prone to staining and so may be more suitable in your case. Your dentist will happily discuss all options available to you.

Booking Your Composite Bonding Consultation

Composite Bonding is an affordable, fast and easy way for you to completely transform your smile. Our Composite Bonding experts take extra care to provide the most natural and aesthetically pleasing results.

It couldn’t be easier to book your Composite Bonding consultation at Truly Dental-Call us on 015252670 or book your initial consultation today.