A Guide to Composite Bonding

Aren’t our insecurities funny? We all have them, we are all hyper-aware of them, and we could all use a shot of confidence and perspective when it comes to realising you are perfect just the way you are. With that said, it doesn’t stop you from wanting to make a change and get that “perfect” look that you have always wanted. 

Take your teeth, for example; 71% of British adults say they aren’t confident showing their teeth in photos. Teeth are a huge source of insecurity, but we want to show you how to do something about your insecurities here at Smile Stories. In this post, we are going to give you a complete rundown of composite bonding. What is composite bonding, I hear you ask? It is one of our secret weapons in the fight against smile insecurity. Let us explain how composite bonding can transform your teeth and give you a lifetime supply of smile confidence.

What Is Composite Bonding?

Composite, cosmetic or dental bonding is generally used as a quick and effective way to fix damaged teeth, discolouration or large unsightly gaps in between teeth. When you know what you are doing, as our team of experts do, composite bonding can even be used to give you a fuller, wider smile. Sounds good, right?

This form of composite bonding is a fairly simple procedure when done correctly. Our cosmetic dentists will condition the surface of the teeth, before taking a composite resin and artistically sculpting it on the surface. Whether you’d like to maintain the natural colour of your teeth, or lighten things up, the composite resin will be moulded into the shape and size you want, giving you the smile you desire.

So there you have it, sounds simple, right? We can’t recommend composite bonding highly enough when looking for a quick and painless way to your perfect smile.

What Can Composite Bonding Fix?

There is nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to having imperfect teeth. Sometimes you can take all the precautions, brush twice a day and floss like your life depends on it, but some of us just aren’t born with that Hollywood A-lister smile. That is where we come in. Composite bonding is an excellent cosmetic dentistry treatment for those looking to get some smile confidence — maybe for an upcoming wedding or big event. 

Whether you have large gaps in between your teeth, decayed or cracked teeth, or you want to increase the size of out of proportion teeth; composite bonding is the answer to your dental dreams. Want to know the best bit? We can carry out the whole composite bonding process within 60-120 minutes and get the results you are looking for in a single visit.

Check out our list of the advantages and disadvantages of composite bonding below:

Advantages of Composite Bonding

• Quick and simple process
• A non-invasive procedure
• Usually no tooth enamel is removed
• Anaesthesia is generally not required
• Long-lasting results
• The procedure is usually completed in one session
• Relatively affordable.

Disadvantages of Composite Bonding

• It won’t change colour, so always whiten your teeth before bonding
• Not as resistant to stains as crowns
• Results don’t last as long as porcelain crowns or veneers
• It needs 6-12 monthly maintenance

Risks of Composite Bonding

Risks? What risks? In all seriousness, composite bonding is such a popular form of cosmetic dentistry on the whole because there aren’t many downsides or risks to the treatment. 

As we previously mentioned, the resin is more susceptible to staining and discolouration than other dental materials. This shouldn’t be a major problem if you look after your teeth with good dental hygiene, but if you like your red wine, coffee and cigarettes, you might find yourself in need of some teeth whitening or more regular maintenance.

The only other downside is that resin isn’t as tough as your actual tooth, and so you could find that the resin chips or breaks away if you are eating seriously hard foods like nuts, candies or ice.  And stop biting your nails, it’s yucky anyway!

How to Look after Your Bonded Teeth

After your composite bonding treatment, you will probably want to go out, celebrate and show off that eye-catching smile. We might have to ask you to hold your horses on those celebrations, though. Looking after your teeth is essential and especially those first few days. Taking good care of your teeth with good dental hygiene will extend the life of your bonded teeth and ensure your smile continues to look a million dollars. 

Follow these steps to ensure your newly bonded teeth continue to look their best:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and don’t forget to floss
• Give up coffee, tobacco and wine for two days post-procedure
• Avoid hard or tough foods that could break or damage your teeth.
• Don’t bite your nails — this can cause damage to your teeth.
• Get regular dental checkups every six months.

Alternatives to Composite Bonding

You probably came here wondering, “what is composite bonding?” and now you are almost convinced that this is the cosmetic dental treatment for you. That said, it is always a good idea to explore your options and alternatives. The usual alternatives to composite bonding are:

• Porcelain Veneers — A thin porcelain mould that is bonded to the front surface of your teeth
• Porcelain Crowns — A tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the visible portion of your teeth. Crowns will look and feel like any of your other teeth.
• Teeth Straightening – Treatments like Invisalign can also be used to close spaces.

These three treatments are also popular alternatives to composite bonding and may be better suited to some specific cases. That said, crowns can cause more damage to your teeth than composite bonding.

For the veneers to be bonded onto your teeth, they will need to be smoothed down to fit them. This does cause some very minor permanent damage and is similar to the crown fitting process, where a healthy part of your tooth is removed to fit the crown.

Transform Your Smile

So there you have it! If you came here wondering, “what is composite bonding?”, we hope you now understand what it is and where you can get it done. Smile Stories offers a range of cosmetic dental treatments that can transform your smile insecurities into your “best feature”. 

Here at Smile Stories, we have helped countless people through their smile story, and we can do exactly the same for you. Transform more than just your smile with our composite bonding.

Book your free video consultation with our friendly team of experts, and let’s start your smile journey together.

Author

Dr Gareth Edwards BDS (Hons) MFDS RCPS (Glasg) qualified from university with honours. Working in the Bournemouth & Poole area, he’s passionate about orthodontics, minimally invasive dentistry and is a certified Invisalign provider.