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23 April 2021

Composite Bonding: The Ultimate Guide – What It Is, How It Works & All the Benefits

Cosmetic issues with your teeth, no matter how minor, have the potential to leave you feeling concerned about how your smile looks. Chips, cracks, misshapen teeth and discolouration are all common issues that we can address here at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic.

One of the ways to achieve this is with a treatment known as composite bonding. This increasingly popular cosmetic dental technique can close small gaps in your smile without the need for a brace. You may have heard composite bonding described as ‘tooth bonding’ or ‘cosmetic bonding’ and is often compared to veneers – we’ll be exploring this comparison a little later in the blog post. If you’re looking to understand the bonding process in more detail and how it can benefit you, you’re in the right place.

What is Composite Bonding and How Does it Work?

By gradually applying and shaping thin layers of composite resin, a tooth can be restored and repaired – this technique is composite bonding. This method of treatment could be ideal for you if you have any of the following issues with a tooth or teeth:

• Decay
• Fractures, cracks and chips
• Discolouration – white and brown marks and specks across tooth surfaces can also be whitened to give a more uniform shade to your teeth.
• Gaps and spaces
• Shape problems – composite bonding can enhance the shape of a tooth and change its length.
• Protection and prevention– if a root surface has become visible, composite bonding can help, protecting the root from decay and erosion.

Why Has Composite Bonding Become so Popular?

The past decade has seen a noticeable move towards cosmetic dental procedures that minimize damage to teeth and produce faster results. Cosmetic bonding ticks both of these boxes.

As the treatment name suggests, the composite resin material is bonded to your tooth, and carefully sculpted, smoothed and polished. Our team here at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic is particularly fond of composite bonding because it allows for the layers of composite resin to be applied incrementally. This means we’re able to be extremely precise and diligent along the way, resulting in a natural and authentic result that’s in keeping with your smile. Composite bonding has truly become something of an artistic skill in the world of dentistry.

Modern techniques and practices have also made it possible to mimic the translucent characteristics of tooth enamel. Patients are often amazed at how subtle the results are and find even the smallest of changes to a single tooth can make a significant transformative difference to their whole smile. Another great benefit of this treatment is that patients have the option of restoring several teeth in a single session.

What Can You Expect from the Composite Bonding Process at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic?

The first thing we will ask you is what you’re looking to change about your smile, so we can tailor a treatment just for you. The process takes as little as 30-60 minutes in its entirety, something we’ve found really appeals to patients.

Let’s go through the various stages involved during your appointment with us:

• Selecting the optimum tooth shade for your smile: before treatment begins, we will identify a shade that will suit your smile to make sure results are as natural as possible.
• Cleaning: to prepare your tooth for the bonding process we will carefully clean it beforehand. Following this, we gently roughen the tooth’s surface and coat it with a bonding agent that will ensure the composite resin sticks to your tooth when applied.
• Bonding: composites have a paste-like texture, allowing us to shape your tooth with a high level of precision and dexterity. 
• Setting the composite: A specific wave length of light is used for 30-60 seconds to harden the composite and make sure the composite material sets into place. This means you’ll have a tooth you can comfortably bite down on as soon as you leave the practice.
• Final tweaks: we can then make any minor amendments, such as trimming, shaping, layering or polishing.
• Enjoy your new smile: leave the practice with a brand-new smile that doesn’t require any complex aftercare post-treatment. Be sure to come along to routine appointments, to make sure your smile stays healthy and beautiful.

The Advantages of Composite Bonding over Veneers

Composite bonding and porcelain veneers (as we mentioned earlier) are often the subject of comparison and treat many of the same issues. Porcelain veneers are a more durable alternative to composite bonding, and as the porcelain from which they’re crafted is stain-resistant, they’re more likely to remain blemish and stain-free for longer. However, composite bonding is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons, such as:

• There’s very little or no preparation involved: you can expect to attend two or more appointments when getting a veneer, with a two-week gap between each, during which your veneers are custom-made at the off-site dental laboratory. On the other hand, composite bonding only takes one appointment, and you won’t need to wait several weeks to see results – they’re visible straight away.
• Treatment preserves your tooth: preparation for veneers involves having some of your natural tooth enamel removed in order to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. In contrast, composite bonding requires very little or none (in most cases) of your tooth’s surface being removed. 
• Low cost: veneers are more costly than composite bonding.
• Relatively durable: ultimately, veneers can last 7-10 years if you care for your smile. However, cosmetic bonding usually lasts approximately 5years, which still makes it a relatively long-lasting solution.

Treatment Tailored to You

At Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic, our team of experienced dentists are continuously seeking to broaden their advanced knowledge of cosmetic dentistry to offer patients the very best care. All cosmetic treatments we offer are tailored to your smile.

If you would like to book a FREE video consultation with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly reception team here in the West Midlands.

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