This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years
Composite resin bonding, also known as dental bonding or tooth bonding, is the process of adding material to your teeth to alter their shape, repair chips, or fill gaps between them. The resin is matched to your natural tooth colour to make it a seamless fit, and the procedure is fully reversible.
If composite resin bonding sounds appealing to you, then keep reading our handy guide to see all the process entails, and whether teeth bonding is the best option for you.
Who can get composite bonding?
There are lots of reasons why composite resin bonding may be the best option for your oral cosmetic repair. The process is versatile and is useful in many of the most common dental fixes. You can use composite resin for a chipped tooth, a fractured tooth, a decayed tooth, or to enhance the appearance of healthy teeth.
Composite bonding can also be used to cover the exposed roots of your teeth if you have suffered from receding gums or other conditions that have affected your roots. The process also helps if you want to camouflage tooth discolouration or seamlessly alter the shape of your teeth, as the resin used in composite bonding is matched to the natural colour of your teeth.
Composite resin bonding procedure
The composite bonding procedure is a relatively simple, and non-invasive one. It may begin with dental X-rays that examine your teeth and gums and see if you are eligible for the procedure. Your dentist will then discuss how the composite resin bonding will adjust your teeth and walk you through any pre-existing dental issues that may need to be resolved before the process begins.
Your dentist will then select a shade of resin that matches the natural colour of your teeth and prepare the tooth being worked on. This is done by making the surface of the tooth rough and applying a conditioning liquid. The composite resin bonding material is then applied and moulded to the desired shape.
The composite bonding process ends by using a special light to cure the resin and bond it to your tooth, followed by a polishing or final adjustment if your dentist deems it necessary.
Composite bonding pros and cons
The composite bonding process may seem straightforward and the perfect fix for gaps or chipped teeth, but there are some pros and cons it is good to consider before you move forward with the process.
Composite bonding pros:
Natural look - As the resin is matched to the natural colour of your teeth, results are seamless and natural looking.
Little discomfort – The composite bonding process is minimally invasive, typically with no enamel removal.
Cost-effective – Composite resin bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures.
Versatile – Composite resin bonding can be used to fix a wide range of imperfections like chips, discolouration, gaps, and exposed tooth roots.
Fast-procedure – Unlike some other cosmetic procedures, dental bonding can be completed in a single visit to your dentist.
Composite bonding cons:
Less durable – Composite bonding won’t last as long as some other cosmetic treatments like veneers or crowns.
Less stain resistant – Composite bonding resin is reasonably stain resistant, but still more susceptible to stains than porcelain restorations.
More easily damaged – You are slightly more likely to damage teeth with composite bonding than with porcelain veneers or crowns.
Composite bonding aftercare
Taking care of your bonded teeth isn’t tricky, and just involves being a bit more conscious of your oral hygiene routine, and the food you eat. Some top tips to ensure that your composite bonded teeth stay fresh and natural are:
Brush 2 times a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft brush.
Use dental floss, or a flossing device, to clean between your teeth once a day.
Try not to grind your teeth or wear a guard at night if you do it unconsciously during sleep.
Avoid eating overly sugary or acidic foods.
Watch out for food or drinks likely to stain your teeth such as coffee or tea.
FAQs
How long does dental bonding last?
How long composite resin bonding lasts will depend on how effective your oral care routine is and how many teeth were treated at one time. Generally, the resin will last between 3 and 10 years before it requires replacing or adjusting.
Can you whiten composite bonding?
Once the composite bonding procedure is completed, it will not be possible to whiten the resin. For this reason, make sure that you complete any whitening treatments before your composite bonding treatment.
Can you have composite bonding on crowns?
Composite bonding can be used to repair crowns in some cases.
Do you need straight teeth for composite bonding?
No. Composite bonding can help alter the shape of your teeth and minimise gaps between them meaning it is not necessary to have straight teeth.
Can you have composite bonding on crooked teeth?
Yes. Composite bonding can help adjust the shape of your teeth and so works on crooked teeth.
