Composite Bonding

Although many people can benefit from this technique, it is not suitable for everyone. You can have a discussion with your dentist to see if it could work for you.

Most cases can be completed in one appointment. The teeth are cleaned and prepared with etch. An adhesive is applied to the tooth and set using a bright light. A resin composite is then sculpted to the desired size/shape and set again with the bright light. Finally, the composite is polished to leave it smooth and as natural as possible.

For the majority of people, no! Most cases can be completed pain-free without the need for a local anaesthetic injection. However, for more complex cases where tooth preparation or removal of current fillings is needed then local anaesthetic may be needed.

As with any cosmetic dental procedure, composite bonding doesn’t last forever and will eventually need replacing. It is very difficult to give a lifespan for the restorations as it depends on many factors, including how well you look after them at home.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, as well as daily flossing. Poor oral hygiene can cause early loss of the composite and decay to form around them. The composite is not as strong as natural teeth, so it is important that you avoid using these teeth for biting hard things e.g. nuts, pens, hair pins etc. This can cause them to fall off or chip. Strongly coloured food and drink can cause staining around the margin of the composite and so are best avoided (e.g. tea, coffee, curry, red wine, smoking).

Prices start from £200 a tooth. The price depends on the time it will take to complete and complexity of your case.

If you were considering whitening your teeth also, it is best to whiten your teeth first and then have your composite bonding completed. The composite can then be matched to the new tooth colour. Find out more about whitening here.