Composite bonding is a modern way to restore teeth, either for cosmetic reasons, or to build up tooth structure that has been lost. It involves bonding a tooth coloured resin material to existing teeth to reshape them or improve their colour. dentists bond on very strongly the resin material, polish it up, and this will last for many years. Composite bonding is appropriate for pretty much every patient.
Bonding is not necessary, it is purely cosmetic. Composite bonding for front teeth does not require the dentist to remove any part of your tooth usually. It is composite material that is glued to your teeth to give them your preferred shape or colour.
What dental Bonding is NOT
It’s not Composite veneers or a composite ‘smile makeover’. Here composite resin is applied to many teeth or all of the front teeth (also know as the social six). This is usually a much bigger procedure than bonding. Composites are also not the same as ‘composite fillings’ which are also known as white fillings for the back teeth or dental crowns which cover all of the surfaces of the tooth not just the visible parts and are made from porcelain. It can sound quite complicated but read on and you’ll get it all explained to you.
Am I suitable for dental bonding?
Bonding is all about selecting the right patient for the procedure. Not everyone is suitable and your dentist will need to assess your mouth fully to determine whether you are a fit for the treatment or whether something else might be more appropriate. That said, most people are suitable for composite bonding. Especially if you have healthy natural teeth. Remember healthy does not necessarily mean they look the way you want! Many patients have beautifully healthy teeth and gums but they might be misshapen, gappy or crooked. If this sounds like you then resin bonding might be the perfect treatment.
Composite Bonding To Close Gaps In Front Teeth?
Composite bonding is a very good option for closing small gaps between teeth. Either for a single gap or multiple small gaps between all the teeth, you can achieve amazing results with bonding.
The dentist places the composite resin on the teeth, closing the gaps between them or making them more discrete if it is not possible to close them completely. However, if the gap is too big, the dentist might consider a quick orthodontic treatment before going with the bonding, to avoid extremely big or disproportional teeth. Before opting for closing the gap with bonding, however, you need to consider the following factors:
- If the gap is more than 1mm in width, your bonding may fall off quickly due to the lack of steady support, which will defeat the purpose of the treatment.
- If you’re looking to close a gap between the two front teeth, which is larger than 1 or 2mm,cosmetic bonding would visually enlarge your teeth to a disproportionate level. If your gap is indeed more prominent, the best thing you can do is consider a brace treatment which will close it more naturally
Composite Bonding For Crooked Teeth
Composite bonding can help to improve the appearance of slightly crooked teeth. By adding some resin in strategic places, your dentist can hide or mascarade misaligned teeth, improving the appearance of your smile.
However, please do keep in mind that it is only possible to correct minor position problems with composite bonding. When tooth are more severely misaligned, dentists would recommend an orthodontic treatment prior to bonding.
Damaged & Discoloured Teeth
dentists can also provide composite bonding to damaged and discoloured teeth especially teeth with white marks on the front (a very common problem in Ireland due to the fluoride in water).
By removing a little of the blemish from the front of the tooth (often dentists don’t need anaesthetic as the blemish is usually shallow) dentists can restore the tooth or teeth and make them look pretty much perfect again.
Composite Bonding For Bottom Teeth
Composite bonding can be used to improve the aesthetic of the bottom teeth as well, but there are some factors that need to be considered before doing it, like the patient’s bite and how the top and bottom teeth meet.
If the patient has bruxism or suffers from teeth grinding, dental bonding is not a good option because the composite resin is not strong enough to resist to the forces and may fracture.
How to know if composite bonding is right for you?
Cosmetic teeth bonding will be the right treatment for you if you have a chip on your tooth, need to even out the edges of your teeth, need to build up one tooth, so your smile looks uniform, or if you need to close a tiny gap. Based on the specifics of your case, cosmetic bonding may not be the best solution.
The best way to find out which specific treatment is right for you is to book a cosmetic consultation with dentist, dentist will be able to advise you if bonding will provide you with the results you’re after, or if there’s a better alternative.
Before composite bonding
Depending on the type of cosmetic bonding which you will be receiving a hygiene session may be required before your treatment. For the best results of teeth bonding your teeth need to be perfectly clean and tartar-free.
Teeth whitening or composite bonding: which one first?
If you plan on having your teeth whitened and receiving teeth bonding to sort out a problem that’s bothering you, then teeth whitening should come first.
When cosmetic bonding is done, the colour of the resin (the composite) is selected to match the shade of your teeth. The composite itself would not be affected by the whitening, which is why it should be done after you’ve achieved the shade of white you’re satisfied with.
Composite Bonding Versus Veneers: which one is better?
There are some differences between composite bondings and veneers that need to be considered by both the dentist and the patient before going ahead with any treatment. Here are the most important ones:
Composite Bonding
- Non-invasive treatment. No drilling or permanent damage to the natural teeth is done, and it can be easily repaired if needed.
- Offers immediate results, as it can be done in one single visit to the dentist.
- Cheaper than porcelain veneers.
- Lasts from 5 to 7 years, if the patient takes good care of it. Porcelain veneers are expected to last at least 15 years.
Veneer
- Veneers are irreversible, as the tooth needs to be drilled to perfectly fit it.
- Veneers require at least two visits, with a space of a few weeks between them, so the technicians have time to prepare the veneer in the dental laboratory.
- They don’t break or chip easily and they don’t stain or discolour as the composite resin does. Porcelain veneers are significantly more resistant than composite bondings.
The best way to determine which solution is right for you is to talk to your dentist about your aesthetic goals.
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution, then composite bonding is a very good fit. However, if the patient has a severe aesthetic problem and is looking for a long lasting solution, then porcelain veneers might be the best option.
Composite bonding front teeth procedure
Your dentist will administer s local anaesthetic to the gum tissue surrounding the treatment site of the tooth or teeth with a fine needle. They will then clean the teeth to ensure the tooth surface is free of tartar and plaque, and if necessary tooth decay and infection will be treated first.
You will be involved in the composite bonding process and will help choose the shape and colour of your dental restoration. Clinicians first match the tooth colour and dental composite to your tooth shade, for the composite to blend in with the rest of your smile.
After a phosphoric acid gel is applied to the tooth surface for gentle etching, the composite is used and moulded into shape and then cured with an activation-light for secure bonding. Neatly sculpted the dental composite sets and became part of the tooth structure. The teeth are then polished and buffed for a smooth and white, natural finish.
Is there any risk for composite bonding?
Composite bonding is not considered as strong as metal amalgam fillings (old-style metal fillings). However, the risk of mercury-toxicity is eliminated, as there is no mercury in composite materials. Composite may stain or discolour if you continue with lifestyle habits that cause tooth discolouration and staining, such as drinking coffee and smoking.
After Care
composite bonding for front teeth restorations can provide you with a healthy and beautiful smile for many years, but it is important to follow your dentist’s recommendations for proper oral hygiene, as well as avoid habits that could damage your restorations.
Brush at least twice a day, floss once a day and schedule regular visits to your dentist and hygienist for routine examinations and cleanings.
Refrain from habits such as biting your fingernails and chewing on pens, ice or other hard objects, since direct composite bonding materials are prone to chipping. Your dentist also will suggest you return to the office if you notice any sharp edges on the bonded tooth or teeth, or if the tooth feels differently when you bite down.
How long does bonding last?
How long your bonding lasts will be largely dependent on you. That said, correct diagnosis, talented hands and a great relationship with your dentist or dental therapist will help your composites last longer.
Bonded teeth last 5-8 years or longer and require professional finishing once every few years. Tips for maintaining your bonded teeth include using a nightguard, refrain from smoking, have your teeth cleaned three or four times a year, avoid chewing ice or biting fingernails, and minimize your consumption of stain-causing food and drink.
Avoid chewing ice and biting your fingernails. A nightguard might be made to help protect your crowns from fracture, especially if you clench or grind your teeth. Composite resin is not indestructible and will be subject to wear and tear. Like everything, if you look after them they will last longer.
Composite bonding for Smokers
The only people that dentists generally don’t recommend bonding to are heavy smokers.
This is because smoking can stain up the bonding over time. dentists are always happy to treat smokers and will happily discuss smoking cessation programmes with them but for those who want to continue smoking dentists usually recommend veneers instead of bonding. These stain less. This does not apply to vaping. People who vape can have bonding done without any problem.
cost of cosmetic front teeth bonding
The cost of cosmetic teeth bonding will vary based on the work and material needed. To provide you with a quote, dentist will need to see you for a cosmetic consultation. During the appointment, dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, discuss your desired treatment outcome, and provide you with a quote you can take home and think over. Composite bonding is much less expensive than porcelain veneers, braces or most other ways we dentists can fix your tooth problems.
