Composite bonding, which is also commonly known as dental bonding, is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to solve minor oral imperfections.
Dental Bonding for Gaps & Chips
The composite bonding process involves applying a tooth-coloured resin onto existing teeth to restore shape, colour, and structure.
The colour of the composite material is made to match the shade of your existing teeth, so it looks completely natural.
It is a quick and non-invasive procedure that helps you achieve your ideal smile.
Dental bonding can fix most minor dental issues
Dental bonding is a popular corrective procedure that fixes the most common dental problems, such as:
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Stained and discoloured teeth
- Gaps between the teeth
- Decaying teeth or cavities
- Receding gums or exposed roots
The bonding procedure is simple
The composite material is also an alternative to amalgam or metallic fillings to help the smile look whiter and more natural.
This simple cosmetic procedure can be carried out in just one visit to the dentist, so it is a quick and efficient way to fix your minor dental issues.
- Your dentist will match the colour of your tooth to the right shade of resin.
- Your teeth are professionally cleaned to eliminate any risk of post-procedure infection.
- Your tooth surface is roughened slightly to help the resin bond properly.
- To prepare the tooth for the resin, a tooth conditioner is applied to the exact place where the bonding is needed.
- A bonding agent is painted onto the tooth with a small brush-like applicator. This will help the composite resin harden and bond to the teeth.
- The composite resin is applied to the affected tooth and is hardened using UV light.
- The final stage of the bonding process will include: Trimming, Polishing, Reshaping and Layering.
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What are the advantages of bonding?
There are many benefits to opting for composite bonding as a cosmetic treatment:
- Simple procedure with no anaesthetic needed
- Cheaper than most other cosmetic treatments
- Bonding can be done in a single visit to the dentist
- Painless and non-invasive (minimal filing of the tooth’s surface)
- Bonding can last between 5-7 years if cared for properly
Does dental bonding damage the teeth?
There aren’t any major risks to dental bonding.
Though bonding does not damage your teeth, it is essential to remember that composite materials are not as strong as your natural teeth, therefore, can be prone to breaking or chipping.
Unlike other materials such as porcelain, the composite resin is not wholly stain-resistant, so you may experience some discolouration over time if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, for example.
Composite Bonding Vs Veneers: What’s the difference?
The cosmetic dental treatment you choose will depend on your individual preferences in the situation, along with the guidance of your dentist.
However, the general idea is that bonding is used to correct small issues in the mouth, whereas veneers work better for those patients needing more significant changes to this smile.
Veneers are very thin tooth-coloured porcelain shells that are custom-made to fit over the surface of your teeth to correct imperfections.
Much like composite bonding, they correct the teeth’ colour, shape, size, structure, and alignment. Learn more about veneers.
Veneers tend to last longer than composite bonding, as porcelain is much stronger and more durable than resin. If taken care of properly, veneers can last up to 20 years.
Bonding can last up to 7 years with the right aftercare
To help reduce the risk of your dental bonding work chipping or staining, here are some aftercare tips for a prolonged and perfect smile:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss daily
- Avoid hard or chewy foods
- Do not bite your nails
- Do not smoke, drink tea or coffee for the first few days following your procedure to avoid staining
- Schedule regular check-ups and hygienist appointments bi-annually
Because it is a cosmetic procedure, dental bonding is unavailable via the NHS.
However, it is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments.
The average price of composite bonding ranges between £200-£350 per tooth.
Here at The Gentle Dental, we believe in providing affordable, high-quality treatment and care.
See our complete list of fees here.
We offer 0% finance options on all of our cosmetic treatments, too, to enable you to achieve your ideal smile in an affordable way that works for you.
Get an interest-free loan in under 5 minutes
It only takes 2 minutes to apply and you’ll get an answer immediately – applying for a loan has never been easier.
0% finance is available for many treatments up to £30,000. Credit decisions will be subject to individual circumstances. You must be over 18 and earn an income to apply.
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