What is composite bonding?

Composite bonding is a modern dental treatment that embellishes teeth by adding a tooth-coloured composite resin. These resins are biocompatible material that merges into the tooth’s enamel. 

Dentists with appropriate expertise can create composite restorations that look like natural teeth: they choose the same colour shade and recreate the exact shape of the adjacent teeth. A good composite restoration is almost invisible and incredibly durable.

Is composite bonding necessary?

Composite bonding is a cosmetic procedure, so it’s not strictly necessary. However, it is an excellent option for those patients that want to enhance their smiles. It is a minimally invasive procedure that achieves exceptional results in little time.

Is it the proper treatment for me?

This cosmetic treatment is an ideal solution for the following dental problems:

• Chipped, fractured or decayed tooth.
• Teeth with alterations in shape, size or colour.
• Slightly misaligned teeth.
• Small gaps between front teeth.
• Exposed roots (gum recession is the most common cause of tooth sensitivity).
• Tooth wear.

 Benefits of teeth bonding

You might wonder why this alternative is better than other well-known restorative treatments. The following features are some of the advantages of composite bonding:

• Conservative: bonding requires little (or no) enamel reduction, which means that your natural teeth are almost intact after the procedure.
• Little chair time: in many cases, this treatment can be completed in only one session.
• No anaesthesia required: as composite bonding is minimally invasive, most patients don’t even need no be numbed before the procedure.
• Affordable: This treatment is more appropriate for reduced budgets than other cosmetic solutions such as dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
• Excellent cosmetic results: composite resins closely mimic the shade and transparency of the enamel, so a skilful dentist can create natural-looking restorations that genuinely brighten your smile!

Composite bonding: step by step

As mentioned before, composite bonding is a straightforward procedure that doesn’t even require local anaesthesia in most cases. The key to treatment success is the dentist’s clinical eye: the most crucial step is to choose the right resin colour and perfectly imitate the anatomy of the rest of the teeth.

The first step is to prepare the teeth for the correct bond-up of the composite resin. The dentist creates a rough surface in the enamel and applies a bonding agent. After this, they establish the restorations with multiple layers of composite resins. Once the dentist is happy with the results, the resin is hardened with UV light. Lastly, the restoration is polished with multiple disks and rubbers to get natural-looking and seamless composite bonding.

If you are unhappy with the results, the dentist can add material and remodel the restorations as many times as necessary. With composite bonding, you get the smile you are looking for.

Alternatives

The dental problems that teeth bonding can solve can also be addressed with other cosmetic procedures like dental crowns or porcelain veneers. However, these options are more invasive, as they require more enamel reduction and usually are more expensive. Hence, dentists typically suggest composite bonding as the first choice to solve minor cosmetic issues.

How to take care of my composite bonding?

When properly cared for, composite bonding can last for years. Below we listed a few tips for ensuring that your brand-new smile stays as bright as possible:

• Avoid staining food and beverages: it is advisable to exclude certain items like red wine, tea, coffee, curry and soy sauce from your diet as much as possible – especially for the first 48 hours after the procedure. The resin is particularly susceptible to pigments during the first two days.
• Maintain oral hygiene: a meticulous brushing and flossing routine is vital for keeping your smile healthy and any dental restoration in good condition.
• Be careful with personal habits: avoid certain habits that can chip or crack your restorations, like biting your nails or chewing hard items such as pencils and pen lids. In addition, as after any other cosmetic procedure, dentists recommend quitting smoking or at least reducing the number of cigarettes per day to the minimum.

Composite bonding is the perfect choice for those patients looking for a conservative alternative to enhance their teeth. If you are tired of hiding your teeth, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to see how he can transform your smile!