Composite Bonding

Dental Bonding or Composite Bonding is a dental procedure where a dentist applies a dental composite or resin to the patients tooth to make the tooth look nicer and more aesthetically pleasing. Patients who often ask for composite bonding feel their natural teeth are slightly chipped, cracked or crooked, and sometimes, not as white as they could be.

Composite Bonding can fix small problems in a patients tooth or even a few teeth in some situations. The procedure can be used to transform the appearance, shape and shade of the teeth, the very same day. The procedure is minimally invasive, helping improve the shape and appearance of the teeth by addition of a tooth coloured composite resin, which is ‘bonded’ to the natural tooth. The composite material is then hand sculpted in order to achieve the desired shape to help create natural looking teeth. Composite materials come in a vast range of shades to help match tooth colour perfectly.

Composite Bonding is typically used in situations where relatively minor shape changes or chip repair to the teeth (or tooth) are required. Subtle changes to the length, shape and appearance of a teeth can be achieved. The procedure doesn’t require needles or drills and is fully reversible in nature. Results can typically be achieved the same day.

Composite Bonding is not the same as composite veneers; composite veneers enable a much larger change to the size and shape of the teeth, although the veneers themselves are made from a similar composite substance. Also, Composite Bonding is not the same as composite or white fillings, which are used to fill and fix tooth decay.

Whites Dental in location in London Waterloo, adjacent to Southwark Tube station. We are under 10 minutes’ walk from London Bridge.

 Frequently Asked Question

 

When can Composite Bonding be used?

Composite Bonding is usually used when a patient who seeks a cosmetic treatment for teeth that are generally relatively healthy. The procedure can address small or minor problems in size and shape for one or more teeth. It can be used to also address relatively minor misalignment of teeth (e.g. crooked teeth). However, it’s not typically used for major changes to tooth size, shape and structure. Also, if a patient has crooked teeth as the result of under or over bite, composite bonding is not likely to address the issue. Instead, you could speak to our dentist for a cosmetic dental appointment to discuss if more in-depth work (e.g. composite veneers) is needed. The appointment is completely complementary.

What does the composite bonding visit involve?

Composite Bonding is a safe dental procedure that has been used extensively for over 50 years. It’s very effective in treating relatively minor teeth shape issues, giving very good results in a relatively short duration of time, typically on the same day.

The procedure usually commences with the dentist removing a little surface enamel from the tooth; this enables the dentist to attach composite resin material to the tooth structure. A bonding agent is then applied to enable the dentist to bond and sculpture the dental resin into the desired shape. The dentist then cures the composite material with a special purpose light to harden and bond the composite resin. The teeth are then polished to complete the procedure. Dental Bonding requires a high level of experience and expertise to achieve natural looking teeth shape and appearance; it is therefore highly advisable to work with a dentist with experience and interest in this field of dentistry.

Dr Deepa, who is our practice principal, is a very experienced cosmetic dentist – she has been practising cosmetic dentistry and also composite bonding for over a decade. She also has a very gentle touch and a very endearing demeanour, helping nervous patients to have a comfortable experience during the procedure.

What aftercare is required following Composite Bonding?

Composite materials that are used today are very durable and therefore last for a very long time – this enables patients to carry on with their busy lives without having to give their treated tooth or teeth constant attention. There is typically no requirement to visit the dentist for care or upkeep regularly. However, we advise all our patients to use reasonable care and judgement when eating hard foods and to avoid where they can to use their teeth for biting or cutting hard non-food objects. This will help prevent breaking or cracking the composite material on the teeth.

We also advise all our patients to maintain good oral  hygiene by having teeth cleaned regularly and having regular dental check-ups. Using a good mouthwash can also help to improve the health of your gums; this is especially important for patients who find that their gum-line is tougher to maintain on completion of their composite bonding procedure.

Composite Bonding – what are its advantages?

Composite Bonding can be a good answer for many patients for a many reasons. Firstly, the procedure is relatively quick, with patients needing to visit the dentist only once to complete the treatment typically. Patients therefore save time and therefore also money. In comparison to composite bonding, veneers (composite or porcelain) typically take a few appointments and often take 3-4 weeks to complete. They are also usually more expensive than composite bonding.

A major benefit of the composite bonding procedure is that it does not damage the actual underlying tooth.  The procedure is one of the least invasive dental procedures available. The composite resin is bonded and sculpted onto the teeth surface; there is no need therefore to file or drill the healthy tooth structure. The procedure is also pain free typically.

Whites Dental provides Composite Bonding procedures including cosmetic veneers, porcelain veneers, teeth reshaping and smile makeover treatments to patients near us in London Bridge. We are located adjacent to Southwark Tube station in London Waterloo SE1. We are a 10 minutes’ walk from London Bridge, Borough, Southbank and Elephant &Castle.