2022-09-28T01:00:41+00:00

Composite bonding, also known as composite veneers or dental bonding, is one cosmetic dentistry procedure that can be a great solution for those have more minor imperfections and are wanting to improve their smile. It is an excellent treatment option to make teeth look straight without braces. But what exactly is it, and who is it suitable for? Let’s take a look.

What is composite bonding?

Composite bonding involves using a composite resin material to improve the appearance and shape of your teeth.

Your existing teeth may be shaved or etched to prepare them, and the putty-like resin is applied on top and shaped accordingly. Most of the time, your teeth will not need to be cut. The correct colour resin will be chosen by your dental professional so that it matches your surrounding teeth, or if you are getting bonding for whitening purposes, an appropriate shade will be selected with your approval.

Once the resin is in place, a laser or ultraviolet light is used to harden it, and then it will be trimmed and polished to ensure that your teeth look as natural as possible.

Unlike dental crowns, this process can be completed in just 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth, with more time needed if you are having several teeth done together.

While composite bonding will improve your smile and look natural, it often cannot achieve whiter unnatural tooth colour using porcelain crowns. On the other hand, the composite material is more versatile, so repairs are easy and straight forward to do.

woman smiling against white background

Who is it suitable for?

Composite bonding is suitable for people who have healthy teeth but are looking for a cosmetic solution to give them a more confident smile.

It can be used for fixing:

  • Broken teeth
  • Yellow or discoloured teeth
  • Small chips on your teeth
  • Gaps
  • Decayed teeth
  • Crooked teeth

Unfortunately, if you have more serious problems like dramatically crooked teeth, an over or under bite, or broken teeth, this may not be the solution for you. Your dental team can discuss alternative options with you such as teeth straightening and crowns.

Is it expensive and how long does it last?

It’s good to know that composite bonding is much more cost effective than dental crowns thanks to the shorter procedure time and the material used.

But, composite resin is more susceptible to stains, so you should limit your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine and nicotine especially during the first 48 hours after you have the procedure. While not as hard as materials like porcelain, it can still last from anywhere between 3 and 10 years. You will need to be careful about biting into hard foods, as the softer material can sometimes break with excessive force. Your dental team will advise you on exactly how to avoid this happening.

Pros and cons of composite bonding

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Minimally invasive – often does not need teeth cut
  • Easy repairs
  • Quick process – done in one appointment
  • Gives you a straighter, whiter smile

Cons:

  • Cannot achieve whitest teeth using porcelain crowns
  • May not last long as crowns

Unhappy with your smile?

Our expert team of dentists and oral health therapists at Coburg Hill Oral Care love to improve our patients’ smiles. If you feel that you could benefit from composite bonding, make an appointment to come and see us by calling (03) 9041 5301.