Composite Bonding

In general, even if you don’t have composite bonding, if it’s not food or drink then it probably shouldn’t go in your mouth. Avoid using your teeth to tear open crisp packets and containers. Nail biting should be avoided, habits like pen chewing should be stopped, hard things in your diet like nuts and bones can cause increased wear of teeth and composite.

Heavily staining food and drinks can stain the composite, just like your natural tooth, and you may need more frequent appointments with the dental hygienist for polishing – tea, coffee, red wine, turmeric and curry. Just imagine anything you would want to avoid spilling down a white shirt!

They are very similar, but a composite veneer will cover the whole of the tooth surface whereas bonding may be on the edges and partially over front surface.

It is very beneficial to have well aligned teeth before composite bonding. If they are not straight, then the composite will be thick in some areas and thin in others and you will not have your optimum functionality and aesthetics.

We can provide composite bonding in London at our Battersea and Greenwich practices.

Composite bonding starts from £300 per tooth. Composite veneers are from £410 per tooth.

Yes, during a composite bonding procedure, the dentist selects a tooth-coloured resin shade that closely matches your natural teeth. The resin is sculpted and polished so the treated teeth blend seamlessly with your existing smile.

Composite bonding does require maintenance to ensure that the finish continues to look fresh. Composites can chip and stain over time if not maintained properly. Regular visits to the dentist and hygienist will ensure that there is minimal staining that takes place. Composite bonding usually has a life expectancy of 5-7 years but this can be drastically increased if proper protocols are adhered to.

There are several scenarios where it may not be possible to proceed with composite bonding straight away.

If your teeth are misaligned then it may not be possible to have composite bonding. Teeth need to somewhat be in line to ensure an optimal aesthetic result.
If your bite is also not ideal this may be a contra indication for proceeding with composite bonding initially.
If you have decay or gum disease you will need to address these issues first and ensure they are stabilised prior to starting any cosmetic treatment. It is crucial that the oral health is exceptional to ensure that the composite bonding treatment will last.

This will depend on the current shape of the teeth and the number of teeth that have asymmetries. Generally patients tend to have between 4 and 10 teeth treated. We will usually make a recommendation once we have assessed your smile based on your desired outcome.

The Composite is bonded directly to your enamel which results in an excellent seal. However if your diet is high in sugar and your oral hygiene is sub standard, there is a risk that decay could occur. Hence during your consultation we will assess your oral health and hygiene routines and determine whether you are suitable for composite bonding. Brushing twice a day, using dental floss and regular visits to the hygienist will help ensure a healthy mouth.

It is not possible to whiten composite bonding. The colour of the resin is selected to match the shade of your teeth. The resin is not susceptible to the whitening gel and therefore will not change colour. Hence why most patients whiten their teeth prior to proceeding with bonding. Once we have achieved the desired colour with the whitening treatment we will then pick a composite shade to match.

One of the main advantages of composite bonding is that it requires no drilling of your teeth or injections. The treatment is pain free.

As per legal requirements composite bonding and teeth whitening is only provided to patients that are 18 years of age and older. We will always endeavour to provide our patients with the outcomes they desire but we will also inform you if we feel the expectation is unrealistic or if we feel the treatment will not provide added benefits to you.

Typically composite bonding will take 30-40 minutes on one tooth, however it is rare that we tend to only do one tooth and so treatment sessions can often be 3-4 hours depending on how many teeth are being treated.

In many cases, composite bonding can be completed in just a single visit. For example, bonding a single tooth often takes about 30–60 minutes.
If multiple teeth are being treated (for a broader smile makeover), your dentist may schedule one or two appointments, depending on how many teeth need bonding and the complexity of work.

No, one of the advantages of composite bonding is that it is minimally invasive. Unlike veneers or crowns, bonding typically does not require removing significant enamel, so most of your natural tooth structure remains intact.

We’ve published a detailed blog post on composite bonding that covers everything you need to know about the treatment. It explains what to expect during the procedure and answers the most frequently asked questions. Check out our blog post: What is Composite Bonding?