Smile with confidence
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a minimally invasive way to repair and improve the appearance of your teeth. A coloured resin material, similar to the material used for fillings, is expertly applied to give the desired appearance.
Composite bonding can repair fractured and chipped teeth, fill gaps, and improve areas of discolouration. The resin is carefully matched to the shade of your teeth to give a natural appearance. Minor tooth misalignment can also be corrected.
More serious alignment issues can be corrected by orthodontic appliances, and our clinicians will be more than happy to discuss this with you.
Advantages to composite bonding.
Rapid results
Because composite bonding is a minimal and often non-invasive procedure the work can usually be completed in one dental visit and often without the need for anaesthetic injections.
Non invasive
Our highly skilled dentists can match and improve the appearance of your teeth without the need to damage the natural tooth structures. Alternative treatments such as Crowns and Veneers are a far more invasive and costly option requiring tooth material to be permanently removed. Composite bonding, however, involves the composite being directly bonded to existing tooth surfaces and as such leaves the underlying tooth intact.
Costs
As there are no laboratory fees and less clinical time is required composite bonding is often a more affordable option to Crowns and Veneers.
After an initial assessment your dentist will discuss with you what the best options are for your individual needs and provide a copy of your treatment plan and the cost involved.
The greatest advantage to composite bonding is it allows your dentist to maintain healthy tooth structure and yet still provide the smile you want.
Alternatives to composite bonding
There are 2 main alternatives to composite bonding
1. Veneers – Dental veneers are thin pieces of tooth-coloured porcelain cemented to the front surface of your natural teeth. The process involves the removal of tooth structure. Impressions are taken and a laboratory will make a custom-made veneer to cover the tooth surface.
2. Crowns – crowns are a prosthetic cap or covering used to repair damaged and decayed teeth. Like a veneer the process requires tooth removal and impressions to allow a laboratory to make a crown. However, crowns require extensive tooth removal such that the crown will completely cover the damaged natural tooth, with the aim of restoring function and aesthetics.
Both these alternatives can be very successful and may be the treatment of choice that your dentist recommends. However, both processes will involve the permanent removal of tooth structure.
Composite bonding is a far more minimally invasive procedure that does not require a laboratory to make your restoration. As such composite bonding is quicker, often completed in a single appointment, and less expensive way to repair and improve the aesthetics of teeth.
FAQ
Should I whiten my teeth first?
Teeth whitening is a bleaching procedure provided by your dentist to remove staining of teeth due to smoking, staining foods and drinking tea, coffee or red wine.
To get the best results tooth whitening can be used prior to composite bonding. This allows you to achieve a shade of your natural teeth that you are happy with. Our skilled dentists will then match the composite bonding to your brighter, whiter teeth, giving a more enhanced smile.
It is important to be aware, tooth whitening will not change the colour of the bonding material, so we recommend patients achieve the shade they are happy with prior to composite bonding treatment.
Our dentists will be happy to guide you in this process.
What if I have gum disease?
Gum disease can result in the appearance of the gum “shrinking away” from the tooth. This recession can cause increased sensitivity due to exposed dentine and a less aesthetic smile as dentine is more yellow in colour than enamel. Composite bonding can not only improve the appearance of these teeth but also reduce the sensitivity that may occur.
If you have active gum disease it is important that this is corrected and maintained prior to any bonding.
How do I look after my composites?
With any treatment oral hygiene is key!
Follow a correct tooth brushing regime after each meal and see your dentist on a regular basis as advised by them.
Avoid biting nails, pens, pencils etc as this can cause damage to the restoration. This is true for any restoration but more so for composite bonding due to the minimally invasive nature of the restoration.
Avoid smoking and any staining food or drinks for the first 48 hours after the composite has been placed.
Do my teeth need to be straight to have composite bonding?
The answer to this is not simple one. Composite bonding can be applied to teeth that are not in alignment. However composite bonding cannot correct more severe misalignments. Further if tooth contact is not favourable then composites can be dislodged when biting. In these cases, orthodontic correction should be considered.
There are different types of orthodontic correction available from the wire braces to a clear aligner system. The combination of ortho correction and composite bonding can achieve excellent results beyond what bonding alone could provide.
Our dentists will discuss with you whether orthodontic correction is required in your individual case
Why Church Street Dental Practice?
Church Street Dental Practice has been established for over 70 years providing the best care possible to our patients.
Our dentists are highly skilled and are supported by an excellent team of hygienists, a clinical dental technician, qualified nurses, and experienced receptionist providing a professional and relaxed environment in which to be treated.
Prices are extremely competitive with the option of Denplan and Personal finance available.
We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy happy smile.
