Using a technique called composite bonding, we’re able to improve the appearance of cracked, chipped, stained and misshapen teeth, without the need for invasive drilling or anaesthetic.
A versatile treatment, cosmetic bonding uses layers of composite resin to enhance the look of individual teeth.
Whether you’re looking for a white, ‘Hollywoodesque’ smile, or a more natural result that’s in keeping with your facial features, composite bonding is suitable, providing you are not suffering from advanced decay.
One of the things dentists love most about improving smiles with cosmetic bonding, is the accurate result that can be achieved. As we’re able to gradually build up your tooth with fine layers of composite, the small idiosyncrasies that make your smile unique can be emulated. Composite resin is a very close match for tooth enamel, so it’s possible to re-create its translucency extremely precisely.
Examination: the tooth you wish to have treated is carefully examined, as are the teeth sitting either side. We will make sure your tooth is sufficiently healthy to go ahead with any cosmetic procedure, including composite bonding.
Smile design: we will make a note of your tooth shade, and come to a decision with you regarding what you wish your newly bonded tooth to look like. By carefully studying the shape and characteristics of neighbouring teeth, we can build your tooth up to look healthy and attractive again.
Bonding: the tooth is prepared for the primers and resin to be applied. The composite is then built up bit-by-bit, and carefully sculpted accordingly.
Final touches: a UV light is then used to harden the tooth, and it is polished.
With good care, bonding tends to last somewhere between five and seven years, though this varies from person to person. It depends a lot on where the bonding is, how much wear it takes, and habits like nail-biting or grinding. When it does start to wear or discolour, we can usually repair or refresh it rather than start from scratch.
For most people, it’s comfortable enough that no anaesthetic is needed, because we’re not drilling into the tooth. If you’re having a larger area treated or you’re a bit anxious, let us know, and we’ll talk through your options before we begin.
Yes, closing small gaps is one of the things bonding does well. We build up the edges of the teeth on either side of the gap with resin, so the spacing looks more even. Whether it’s suitable depends on the size of the gap, which we can assess when we see you.
Composite resin can pick up staining over time, particularly from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Keeping up with brushing and hygiene appointments helps it stay looking fresh, and a polish can lift surface staining when needed.
Most bonding is done in a single visit. The exact time depends on how many teeth we’re treating, but you’d usually be with us for around an hour to ninety minutes for a small case.
They can, in the same way a natural tooth edge can chip if you bite something hard. Bonding isn’t as strong as your own enamel, so we’d suggest avoiding using the treated teeth to bite nails, pens or packaging. If a chip does happen, it’s usually straightforward for us to repair.
Because we don’t remove healthy tooth to place it, bonding is considered a conservative treatment and can generally be removed or adjusted later. That’s one of the reasons people often choose it over more permanent options.
Bonding is done in one visit using resin applied directly to the tooth, whereas veneers are thin porcelain shells made in a lab and usually take at least two visits. Veneers tend to last longer and resist staining better, but bonding is quicker, more conservative and often more affordable. We can talk you through which suits your situation.
Treat them much like your natural teeth: brush twice a day, clean between them, and keep up with regular check-ups and hygiene visits. Cutting down on staining foods and drinks, and not using your teeth as tools, will help the bonding last.
It suits a lot of people, but it isn’t right if there’s active decay or gum problems that need treating first. When you come in we’ll check the tooth and the ones on either side of it, and be honest with you about whether bonding is the right choice or whether something else would serve you better.


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