Composite bonding, also known as dental bonding or resin bonding, is a cosmetic dental procedure used to repair or improve the appearance of teeth. It involves applying a tooth-coloured resin (a composite material) to teeth that need cosmetic enhancements or repairs.
It can be used to correct issues such as chips, cracks, gaps, discoloration, or misalignment. It can also be used to lengthen teeth or change their shape.
Advantages of Composite Bonding:
Quick and Painless: The procedure is relatively fast, and in many cases, no anesthesia is required.
Cost-Effective: Composite bonding is often less expensive than other cosmetic dental procedures, such as crowns or veneers.
Minimally Invasive: The procedure typically requires little to no removal of tooth structure.
Natural Look: The composite material is customized to match the natural colour of your teeth, providing a seamless appearance.
What does it involve?
Preparation: No anesthesia is typically required, unless the tooth is being repaired after decay has been removed. The dentist will clean and roughen the surface of the tooth to help the resin adhere better.
Application: The composite resin is applied in layers, and each layer is molded and shaped to match the natural contour of the tooth. The dentist uses a special light to harden the resin after each layer.
Shaping and Polishing: After the resin is fully hardened, the dentist will shape and polish the bonding material to blend seamlessly with the rest of the tooth.
Reasons to use Composite Bonding?
Cosmetic Enhancements: To improve the shape and appearance of teeth (e.g., for teeth that are misshapen, discolored, or have uneven surfaces).
Repairs: Fixing chips, cracks, or other damage to the teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth: Closing small gaps between teeth (diastema).
Decay: Repairing areas where tooth decay has been removed, especially for small cavities.
Lengthening Teeth: For teeth that are worn down or shorter than other teeth, bonding can restore them to their normal length.
Top Treatments
- General Dentistry
- Preventative Dentistry
- Cosmetic Dentist
- Teeth Straightening
- Missing Teeth
- Restorative Dentistry
- Nervous Patients
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Composite bonding results may last anywhere between three to seven years. Returning for regular check-ups and dental hygiene ensures long lasting results.
Composite bonding is widely used for solving problems related to discoloured and stained teeth and fillings. In most cases, dentists recommend a teeth whitening treatment before conducting a composite bonding procedure. When used along with a teeth whitening treatment, dentists can achieve a brighter, whiter smile with less discolouration.
Regular brushing of teeth (twice a day) along with habitual use of dental floss alongside regular dental check-ups and dental hygiene visits ensures that your composite bonding is well looked after.
In a lot of cases your dentist will recommend a night splint/guard to help protect your Bonding.
Composite Bonding, in general, is not a painful procedure. In a lot of cases, local anaesthesia is not required. It is a minimally invasive procedure, where we aim to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Composite Bonding is usually not recommended for chain smokers. Smoking causes extensive staining to teeth. Composite bonding is also susceptible to staining in the long run and hence is less suitable for smokers.
Composite bonding may be used for filling single as well as multiple gaps affecting your front teeth. Dentists will match the colour of your teeth with the colour of the composite resin to ensure a natural looking result.
If you suffer from teeth clenching, teeth grinding or bruxism, Composite Bonding can be used to build up worn down/chipped teeth.
A night splint/guard will be custom-made for you to protect your teeth and restorations from breaking or debonding.
Dentists often use composite bonding to fix slightly crooked teeth by applying matching resin at different locations to create a cosmetically pleasing appearance. However, it may not work for extensively crooked teeth which may require Orthodontic treatment prior to Composite Bonding.
Composite bonding is very popular as it is:
- Minimally Invasive, requiring minimal tooth preparation;
- a Painless procedure;
- Relatively quick process – doesn’t require repeated visits
- Affordable as compared to other dental treatments (i.e. veneers, crowns)
- Useful for several common dental problems
