COMPOSITE BONDING: affordable smile design

Popular with patients looking for fast and affordable smile re-design, composite bonding offers a convenient and effective 1 visit solution for transforming your smile.

composite bonding ~ smile transformation

Composite bonding (also known as dental or cosmetic bonding) is an affordable and relatively conservative dental procedure that is utilised to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of your teeth. It is generally considered a ‘conservative’ procedure because it involves minimal changes to your natural teeth and in most cases is 100% reversible.

With composite bonding we can hide tooth imperfections such as chips, cracks or discolouration and the carefully applied bonding resin is crafted to change the shape, size and perceived alignment of the targeted teeth. The tooth-coloured resin used in the composite bonding procedure will seamlessly match your natural tooth colour and deliver outstanding, aesthetically pleasing results.

composite bonding - what to expect

At your introductory consultation we often recommended a visit to the hygienist to ensure your teeth and gums are in optimal condition prior to having composite bonding treatment. Prior to commencing treatment we will first of all take clear photographs of the affected teeth. Next, the dentist will plan out the treatment strategy based on what changes you’re hoping for in terms of both tooth function and the aesthetic appearance. We also can do a mock-up of the potential outcome so you can preview the end result and we can be confident that you are going to love your new smile!

To prepare the teeth for composite bonding, your dentist will first prepare and isolate the tooth (or teeth) ensuring the surface is clean and plaque-free. The next step is to apply an etching material/weak acidic gel that helps to create a receptive surface for the bonding resin to adhere to. The meticulous work of applying the composite then begins. The composite material is applied layer by layer until the desired results are attained and throughout the procedure a special blue light is used to harden the resin, which helps ensure long-lasting results. The final stage is the shaping and polishing of the new composite bonding to create as close a match as possible to your natural teeth and give optimal aesthetic results.

benefits of composite bonding

  • Convenient – start to finish cosmetic restoration in just 1 visit
  • Affordable – simple in-chair treatment, no additional costs
  • Conservative – preserves more of the natural teeth, no drilling needed
  • Suitability – perfect solution for patients of all ages
  • Reversible – in most cases composite bonding is 100% reversible
  • Safe – remarkably low failure rate and no associated risks
  • Fast – One treatment only (1-3 hours).

composite bonding treatment FAQs

The most likely answer is YES… composite bonding is a safe and easy solution for many aesthetic dental issues faced by both adults and children. The first step is to book a no-obligation consultation with one of our dentists to get confirmation about your suitability.

Composite binding requires great skill and attention to detail to create the most aesthetically pleasing and natural looking results. The tooth-coloured resin used in the procedure will be applied as an exact match to your natural teeth so no-one will ever see how the work has been done

Rest assured the composite bonding treatment is a pain-free procedure and does not require any local anaesthetic. In the preparation stage a miniscule amount of tooth tissue is removed but this rarely produces any discomfort at all.

The most common risk is accidental damage to the new restoration so we do recommend the avoidance of bad habits such as nail-biting or chewing on hard objects to prevent unwanted chips. Also, if you are advised to wear a mouthguard against tooth grinding, please continue this practice to protect your composite bonding on your teeth.

To ensure maximum durability of your new composite bonding, make sure you practice excellent oral hygiene and attend the recommended polishing and cleaning appointments. Be careful too with certain foods and drinks which may discolour your teeth, so try to restrict your consumption of some of the worst offenders, coffee, red wine, black and smoking.

The material we use in composite bonding is not receptive to a whitening treatment, so we always tell our patients to whiten their teeth before the bonding process and then we can match the new whiter shade perfectly when creating the composite bonding.

The durability of composite bonding varies from person to person and depends on many different variable factors. Of course, the quality of the composite used will determine the long-term results but generally speaking you can expect the restoration to remain good for between 7 and 15 years (sometimes longer). Another key factor is the level of at-home care that a patient gives to the teeth affected.

Smile Transformation at The Hartley Clinic

At The Hartley Clinic, in the centre of the village of Hartley Wintney, we have a very experienced and highly-trained team of dental clinicians available for consultations. You can register your interest in booking a Smile Makeover consultation by clicking on the button below and filling in a simple online form, or just call reception on 01256 856289.