Composite Bonding

A colour matched dental composite resin material is applied directly onto your tooth surface in order to correct a flaw, such as a chip in the surface or to improve the colour, size, or shape of a tooth.

Your tooth is first cleaned, and then primed to create a strong and secure bond with the composite resin by etching the surface of the tooth in preparation to receive the composite material. The Composite Bonding is then smoothed and polished to give it a natural shine, after which it will blend in seamlessly and naturally with the rest of your smile. 

Composite Bonding is a safe and highly effective technique to improve the appearance of your smile without undergoing more invasive or lengthy cosmetic procedures.

Many patients who are considering how to best achieve whiter teeth, mask discolouration or surface marks, or improve the overall shape, size or fullness of their smile, can benefit from treatment with Composite Bonding. This method is particularly popular in patients who have just undergone orthodontic treatment with Braces as there is often a high correlation between misaligned teeth and a build-up of wear and chipping, particularly of the front teeth. In many cases patients find that after straightening their smile, teeth which were out of alignment will appear shorter than the surrounding teeth, and Composite Bonding is a great way to properly shape the teeth and correct any imperfections, enhancing your appearance and optimising your new smile.

Composite bonding is suitable for almost all adult patients, although your dentist will conduct a full examination and consultation with you before proceeding with this treatment, to ensure that it is the most appropriate technique to recommend in your specific situation. For example, as Composite Bonding is not as stain-resistant as Porcelain Veneers, we do not recommend this treatment to smokers, as smoking will cause rapid discolouration of your bonding.  

When properly cared for through an excellent oral hygiene regime and regular dental check-ups and cleanings, your Composite Bonding can last for many years. Most patients will require some minor touch ups after 5 to 6 years, to refresh their bonding material and have it looking like new again. 

Edge bonding is a kind of Composite Bonding technique, where the composite material is simply added to the edges of your teeth, meaning that some of your natural tooth will still be visible. It is generally indicated as a treatment for uneven or short teeth (often following the straightening of teeth through orthodontics) to lengthen the tooth surface, or to correct chipped teeth.

Composite Bonding is where the entire tooth surface is covered, not just an edge or edges. This is more often recommended to achieve overall whiter teeth, or to improve the appearance of mal-aligned teeth. When the entire front surface of your tooth is bonded, this is sometimes also known as a Composite Veneer. 

Porcelain Veneers and Dental Crowns are ceramic materials. These create stronger, more durable restorations, and are generally best used to transform your smile if you have very weakened, broken down, or badly discoloured teeth. To make space for these larger restorations your dentist will have to prepare the tooth, usually by removing some of the outer surface structure; how much of your natural tooth structure is removed will depend on the type of restoration and also the extent of the damage or decay to your original tooth.

Both Crowns and Porcelain Veneers are hand-crafted and custom-made by our dental technicians, and so a separate appointment is required between the preparation and the fitting of these restorations.

Composite Bonding is a more affordable and less time-consuming option to correct minor flaws in tooth size, shape and colour. Because it does not require any alteration or removal of your natural tooth structure, once planned, this treatment can be completed in one visit, and with no anaesthetic or invasive tools or procedure required. 

Yes, Composite Bonding is an entirely safe, non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure. As well as being completely painless, by choosing this treatment option your natural tooth structure is preserved and there is no damage done to your teeth. 

To allow optimal results and to maximise the longevity of the Composite Bonding, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene, including regular check-ups and cleanings with your dental care team, to prevent and safeguard against decay and gum disease. 

Just as with other permanent restorations of your teeth – such as Dental Crowns and Porcelain Veneers – you cannot change the colour of Composite Bonding once it is placed.

If you are considering whitening your teeth, it is therefore best to discuss having them professionally whitened with our at-home Teeth Whitening kits prior to having Composite Bonding treatment. Our expert cosmetic dentistry team can then match the shade of your Composite Bonding with your newly whitened teeth.

To maintain optimal results and to maximise the longevity of your Composite Bonding, we always recommend regular 6-monthly dental cleanings with our hygienist, to remove any stains that may develop, and keep your Composite Bonding looking fresh and new.  

You can cover a localised discolouration or noticeable mark through Composite Bonding, in addition to enhancing your overall natural tooth colour, making the appearance of your most visible, front teeth brighter and fresher with composite surfaces.

We will often recommend that you carry out a course of whitening with our custom-made, at-home Teeth Whitening trays prior to your bonding treatment, so that your composite can be colour-matched to your newly whitened teeth, giving you the overall, lasting brighter smile that you desire.  

Porcelain Veneers, Dental Crowns, 6-month Braces and Invisalign are all alternatives to transform your smile, and which solution is appropriate in your situation depends entirely on your own unique dental case and history, your needs and your individual preferences and priorities for your care.

Your cosmetic dentist will always carry out a full examination and consultation with you before recommending which treatment option is best for you, and we are committed to keeping your treatment and smile goals at the centre of every consultation and treatment plan. 

Since we do not need to prepare or remove any of your natural tooth structure in advance of a Composite Bonding treatment, your original teeth are still fully intact under your bonding. We can easily make changes to your bonding following consultation with you, to change the appearance of your teeth, and we can even remove it completely if you would prefer.

If you have received Composite Bonding treatment in the past that you are concerned about, our expert and highly experienced cosmetic team will be more than happy to consult with you and put together a treatment plan to address any issues that you are experiencing, and restore your smile to one you can wear proudly. 

Yes, small gaps between your teeth can be filled in using Edge Composite Bonding. Even in the case of some larger gaps, edge bonding can be used to reduce the size of the gap between teeth. However, this will depend on your individual case, as in some circumstances involving significant gaps in your teeth, orthodontic treatment (via Braces or similar) may be recommended instead.

Your dentist will always carry out a comprehensive examination with you to determine the best treatment option to reach your desired results.

Yes, it is recommended to return to the clinic after approximately 6 years, as most patients will require some minor touch ups of their Composite Bonding after this time. This may involve having your bonding redone, to have some alterations made or have a simple polish to improve the appearance, to have it looking refreshed and like new again.

In other cases, if you are not happy with the overall look of your teeth at this time we can redo the bonding entirely, following consultation with your treating dentist.

At Truly Dental, we are proud to be the only clinic in Ireland to offer a full 6-year warranty on the majority of Composite Bonding procedures, so if you are experiencing any issues with your tooth prior to that stage, we will be happy to alter or restore your composite without any additional charge while it is under warranty. You can trust us to provide you with superior, long-lasting treatment that is both cost-effective and delivered to the highest possible standard.

Yes, Composite Bonding is really effective in repairing chips and cracks in your teeth. Depending on the results that you wish to achieve and the specific issue, sometimes we will only need to add composite to the tooth edges for these repairs.

If you are someone who grinds their teeth, particularly unconsciously or at night, and have quite a lot of wear of your teeth as a result, your dentist will recommend you wear a nightguard when you sleep, to protect your teeth and your new Composite Bonding. 

Composite Bonding can be used to hide minor mal-alignments in your teeth, and can give the appearance of overall straighter teeth. 

However, if you have more pronounced crooked or misaligned teeth a different solution such as Invisalign, 6-month Braces or 'Train Track' Braces may be recommended. Your dentist will always carry out a comprehensive examination with you to determine the best treatment option to reach your desired results.

Damaged, discoloured, chipped, or cracked teeth? Talk to us today about cosmetic treatments to improve and enhance your natural smile! 

Call (0)1 525 2670 or book your initial consultation with one of our experts in cosmetic dentistry to discuss Composite Bonding today