Composite Bonding FAQs

Composite bonding is the process of applying composite material to the teeth in order to repair or enhance them in both colour and shape. The composite is a tooth-coloured material that, when applied, allows the tooth to maintain its natural colour, or if the tooth is discoloured, return it to its natural colour. This is favoured by many as it is a very discreet treatment and isn’t a lengthy process to apply. The most common issues which can be fixed with composite bonding are chipped or crooked teeth where the composite material can be used to fill in the gaps between the teeth and repair their normal shape. Similarly, this can be applied on a large scale and be used to fill in gaps between misaligned teeth, making your entire smile appear straight.

Composite veneers are another option that can be used when exploring composite treatments, and follow a similar process. In the case of a veneer, the entire tooth is covered with the composite material rather than just a small portion or gap. This is best used when the tooth is largely discoloured as the veneer can cover the tooth and give a brighter, whiter shade. This is a great option for repairing smiles and it allows your teeth to appear more symmetrical and whiter than ever before. The veneer process for composite bonding is relatively simple too, unlike other veneers such as when porcelain material is used, a layer of enamel has to be removed from the tooth for the veneer to sit comfortably on the tooth, whereas composite veneers can be applied directly over the top of your natural tooth. 

Our mastery of applying composite bonding treatments allows us to offer it as part of our same-day smile treatment, which is one of our most popular options for treatment. The treatment is quick, won't damage the natural tooth and is completely painless to apply, which can also help reduce some anxiety surrounding dental treatments. Once applied, the teeth can be sculptured into your desired shape and any patchiness will be completely hidden, leaving you with a vibrant, glowing smile.

The key benefits of composite bonding are that the treatment is easy to apply and can deliver excellent results. For example, we can apply a composite bonding treatment in a single day, which can completely transform your smile and won't require any additional treatments. This is preferred over some longer-term methods such as forms of braces or even porcelain veneers for these same reasons. The diversity of the composite material also gives you more options as to exactly which type of treatment you receive. The options include composite veneers which cover the whole tooth or composite edge bonding using a smaller amount of the material to better shape the tooth or hide discolouration.

The treatments options are more flexible when it comes to using composite material and can be tailored to your specific needs. If you have chipped teeth and need to repair their shape, a treatment such as braces or Invisalign would be ineffective, but with composite materials, the actual shape of the tooth can be restored. With the composite material being easy to apply, the procedure is pain-free and once in the chair, you'll be able to listen to music whilst we apply the treatment. 

Composite bonding treatments can also be a quick-fix for crooked teeth. Normally, to fix a set of crooked teeth, you would need several months with braces or brace alternatives, but with composite bonding, these issues can sometimes be fixed in a single day. With the exception of consultation appointments and discussing the process with you beforehand, you'll be able to walk into our luxury facility and leave later that day with a rejuvenated set of teeth. The additional benefits of opting for this method is that by making the teeth appear straighter, you can also whiten your teeth and hide any dark spots or other discolouration.

Composite veneers and bonding treatments are incredibly resilient too and can last up to 5 years without the need to be replaced. This makes opting for composite treatment a good investment and will likely save you money over time when compared with other treatments. Regularly spending money to have your teeth whitened using other methods simply isn't as cost-effective as composite bonding and the effects of those treatments certainly won't last as long as our composite options.

While composite bonding is one of our most popular treatments, we do offer other options which are popular for a variety of other reasons. Those who are considering composite treatments may instead opt for porcelain veneers, as they are similar but porcelain veneers will last much longer than composite veneers. Typically, composite veneers will last up to 5 years whereas porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years, providing better results for a longer period of time. The application of porcelain veneers is also a little different to composite veneers and instead of applying a layer of composite material to the tooth, a wafer-thin layer of porcelain material will be applied over the tooth. The same effects of whitening and teeth straightening can be achieved, however, the key bonus being that porcelain veneers can't be discoloured in the same way that composite materials can.

The lifespan of porcelain veneers are also much longer meaning that they're a better long term investment and will save you many trips to the dentists across those 15 years. While the veneers aren't as susceptible to discolouration, they must still be looked after and cared for to prevent any decay. As long as you follow our guidance on how to correctly look after the veneers, you will be free of problems and can enjoy long-lasting results. If you have relatively healthy teeth, we would recommend a composite treatment as this is less invasive and consists of us applying the material to your teeth, whereas with porcelain veneers we remove a minimal layer of your tooth to be replaced with the porcelain material. This makes porcelain veneers perfect if your tooth enamel is wearing down, your teeth are misaligned or discoloured, or if there are cracks and chips in your teeth.

Depending on what results you're looking to achieve from a composite veneers treatment, there are other options for more permanent straightening. For example, if you want to correct crooked or misaligned teeth, the other alternative would be our Clear X Aligners treatment. Of course, this isn’t a treatment you can complete in a single day unlike our composite procedures, but they will leave your teeth permanently straighter afterwards. They won't whiten your teeth in the same way composite treatments will either, but that is still an option once your teeth are much straighter. Clear X Aligners work in a way similar to Invisalign, but consist of only one aligner tray per 3 “boosts” (when the booster changes the shape of the aligner) which is used to move your teeth. The aligners are heated and reshaped by the booster container using 4D technology. This innovative method has proven more effective than standard Invisalign options and will give you well aligned, straight teeth.

Composite bonding is a popular option for teeth whitening as the tooth-coloured material which is applied is able to improve the appearance of your teeth as well as repair the shape. The application of the composite material is extremely effective at achieving a stunning white colour and provides much better results than DIY methods or UV light treatments. Often, composite treatments are the go-to option for teeth whitening as they can be applied in a single day and be completely pain-free.

Applying small amounts of composite material can whiten your teeth and reduce the appearance of stains and discolouration or covering the teeth with a composite veneer will whiten your teeth and give you a glowing smile. While porcelain veneers do last longer, we only recommend that treatment for those with poorer quality teeth and if you have healthier teeth, we would recommend the composite treatment. Composite bonding still achieves incredible results, comparable to that of porcelain veneers, but is far less invasive on your teeth and allows you to retain 100% of your natural tooth. 

Wear and tear or certain habits can discolour your teeth over time and affect the overall health of them which may lead to you wanting a tooth whitening treatment. Even an activity as simple as drinking coffee can damage your teeth over time. Composite bonding as a teeth whitening option is a relatively low commitment when compared with the life-span of other treatments and can be applied very quickly.

Our treatment process for composite bonding is encompassed in our same-day smile treatment and will consist of an online consultation appointment and full case assessment meeting to ensure this is the right option for you and discuss the next steps. Once this has taken place, the procedure will be carried out on your treatment day and will allow you to walk in and out of our facility on the same day with a better smile. We've designed this process to be as streamlined as possible so you can get the treatment you want without having to attend several appointments.

Once all of the pre-treatment prep has been done and you've decided which treatment you would like, whether that's composite bonding or a full composite veneers treatment, we'll carry out the procedure swiftly and effectively. If you've opted for composite veneers, we'll apply a full layer of composite material over your tooth which forms the veneer and hides the tooth underneath. Due to this material being tooth-coloured and whiter than your natural tooth colour, it will look completely natural once applied. For the composite bonding treatment, the process will be very similar and will only vary depending on how many teeth you're looking to have improved.

There are several reasons you may be looking for a composite bonding treatment as your teeth can deteriorate over time. This is just a fact of life and even without any bad habits, your teeth can become discoloured or, if an accident happens chipped too. This means that your teeth are likely to be predominantly healthy, except for a few potential chips or slight discolouration, and for you to undergo any more extensive treatments would be unnecessary. With composite bonding, your natural teeth remain intact and the composite material is applied on top of your tooth to make it appear whiter. The lifespan of this treatment is up to 5 years which means if you decide at the end of that time you would no longer like them you can have them removed. These provide less of a commitment than options such as porcelain veneers which can last up to 15 years.

If you have a busy life, treatment options such as braces or brace alternatives may not be suitable due to the upkeep you have to do. With our Clear X Aligners treatment, although fantastic, you will need to keep on top of reshaping your retainer and regularly wearing the tray to get the best results. With a composite bonding treatment, you could receive a straightening procedure in a single day, without the commitment of a long term straightening tool needing to be worn. This benefits those who don't have the time to commit to a longer treatment time or have to amend their retainers themselves. Please note, composite bonding is only suitable for mildly misaligned teeth with no bite issues. This will be assessed at your first appointment.

Knowing whether composite treatment is right for you or not all comes down to your understanding of what will actually take place and how it can benefit you. To help you understand which treatment is the best for you, we offer guidance and advice throughout the consultation process. As experts, we're able to take into account the quality of your teeth, your lifestyle and other factors to make sure you receive a treatment that suits you.

When it comes to weighing up the risks of getting composite bonding treatments, there aren't many. With our expert team sharing a wealth of experience between them and the incredible technologies we utilise here at Dental Excellence, we're able to ensure the procedure is as safe as possible. Our effective advice will also ensure you're able to look after your teeth post-treatment and enjoy the results without any issues. As is the case with any dental treatment when new materials are being introduced into your mouth and affecting various factors there is always the chance of an infection. However, we take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety during the treatment process and if you follow our guidance, keeping your teeth sufficiently clean, you'll be free from any issues.

Other risks such as stains, chips or wear and tear can occur, however, we'll offer the correct guidance to prevent this too. Eating certain foods and consuming certain drinks can stain your natural teeth due to their dark colour which also means they can have the same effect on the composite material. If you stay on top of your oral hygiene and come in for a clean every 4 – 6 months then your composite will stay looking fresh and clean for the duration of their lifetime.. Chips or fractures can sometimes occur but these can easily be repaired, and all of our composite treatments are guaranteed for 12 months. If you do have r any issues with wear and tear or stains, you can always visit us again for a touch-up appointment to ensure your teeth remain looking their absolute best.

If you have any allergies and are worried about being allergic to the material, don't worry, we'll make sure you're not allergic to any of the materials we use beforehand. This will be carried out as part of our full case assessment where we discuss how exactly the procedure will go and take the necessary safety steps. As customer care experts, we put your health first ensuring you're safe and comfortable at every step of the process.

There are benefits to both types of veneers and depending on the health and positioning of your teeth, one may be more suited to you than the other. For example, composite veneers are generally applied when your teeth are still healthy, meaning parts of your tooth won’t need to be prepared. Porcelain veneers are often recommended when your natural tooth is damaged and needs a different process to get results. This is when a small layer of the tooth's enamel is removed to make room for the porcelain veneer which is applied to the tooth. 

Porcelain veneers also last longer than composite veneers which can make them a more cost-effective investment. However, composite veneers can be applied in a quicker treatment time and should you wish to keep them for longer than 5 years, you can have them touched up to increase longevity. Cost is also a factor that you'll need to consider, as composite veneers can use less material than porcelain veneers, making them a cheaper treatment to have. But, that being said, the longer-lasting nature of porcelain veneers balances out the increased cost.

The beauty of composite bonding treatments is that they are versatile due to the material which is used. This means that if you have small chips or gaps, these can be filled using the composite material, just as composite veneers can be created using the same material. If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, the tooth-coloured composite material can sometimes be used to re-shape teeth and make them appear straight. While this does make the teeth appear straight, if you want them to be naturally straight, you will need a different treatment using tools such as Clear X Aligners or Six Month Smiles.

Choosing a treatment that requires you to regularly wear a plastic retainer isn't an easy choice for a lot of people as it requires a lot of commitment. As an alternative to this, we offer a same-day smile treatment, which allows you to receive a brand-new smile in a single day, using composite bonding methods. If this sounds right for you, get in touch with us today and begin planning your journey to a stunning new smile.

Composite bonding and composite veneers are both cosmetic dental procedures that use the same, putty-like material to improve the overall look of your teeth. However, the main difference lies in the surface areas that they cover.

Composite bonding is the process of only covering part of the tooth and can provide excellent single session results. This is an ideal procedure for people looking to fix minor imperfections such as chips, gaps, a misaligned smile, or mismatched teeth size. It is minimally invasive, and can usually be done without having to damage the natural tooth enamel below at all.

On the other hand, composite veneers usually cover the entire surface of the tooth, right up to the gum line. This is a longer and more expensive procedure, but it gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of being able to change the colour of your teeth, which will be completely covered by the composite.

They are both fantastic procedures that can completely alter the appearance of your smile and fix a wide array of imperfections. Our team will discuss what they would recommend for your individual case during the consultation process.

Unfortunately, no, composite bonding cannot be whitened. Undergoing whitening treatment with composite bonding would result in an uneven colour, as your teeth will take to the whitening product, but your composite bonding will not. This is because your tooth enamel is porous, meaning that the whitening product can sink into the deeper layers of your tooth in order to brighten it. On the other hand, the composite resin used for bonding is nonporous. This means that it won’t respond to whitening products in the same way as your natural teeth, as it is not absorbed in the same way.

When you undergo composite bonding, the material will be matched to the colour of your natural tooth. If you’re looking for both a brighter smile and composite bonding, the best course of action would be to undergo a whitening treatment beforehand so that your dentist can match your composite bonding to this colour. Alternatively, you could opt for composite veneers, where the resin is applied all the way to the gum line. This gives greater flexibility in terms of colour, as you can opt for a resin that is brighter than your natural tooth, which is fully covered.

In the vast majority of cases, composite bonding is minimally invasive and pain-free. Our experienced team of experts, as well as our cutting-edge technology, means that we're able to ensure that each procedure is as safe and as comfortable for our patients as possible. 

There is usually no drilling of the natural tooth involved with composite bonding. Instead, the resin material will be bonded to your teeth, and then gently polished at the end. This treatment usually doesn't require any anaesthesia or alternate form of pain relief. 

At Dental Excellence, you can rely on us to provide you with all of the relevant information regarding any treatment that you’re considering and help you to decide what is the right procedure for your needs. At the consultation, we’ll be able to assess your smile to determine whether composite bonding would be the right treatment for you, as well as if, as most are, it would be a pain-free experience.

If the procedure is done correctly by a fully qualified professional, then there are no inherent risks associated with composite bonding. In the vast majority of cases, there is no need for your teeth to be drilled, so there should be no damage, or risk, to your natural teeth. However, as is the case with all dental treatments where new materials are being introduced into your mouth, there is the chance of an infection. 

Here at Dental Excellence, our patient’s health and safety are of the utmost importance to us and we will always take every necessary precaution to ensure your safety during treatment. During your consultation process, our team will assess your smile and ensure that you are fully informed of any risks that may pertain to your procedure. We will also inform you of any post-procedure precautions that you can take to ensure that you are free from any issues, such as keeping your teeth sufficiently clean. However, as aforementioned, in the vast majority of cases, composite bonding is minimally invasive, with no inherent risks to worry about.

Yes, there is the possibility of composite bonding staining over time. However, as the material used for composite bonding is nonporous, it will stain slower than your natural teeth will. There are a few ways in which you can avoid your composite bonding staining.

1 - Go to a skilled dentist

It all starts with making sure that the right materials are used and that the procedure is done correctly. Here at Dental Excellence, we pride ourselves on the level of service that we provide. You can learn more about our team of experts here.

2 - Avoid drinks that stain

Just as you would minimise your consumption of drinks like coffee or red wine to avoid staining your natural teeth, the same precautions should be taken to avoid staining your composite bonding. This is because these drinks contain tannins, which naturally stain teeth and gums. This is not to say that you should omit these drinks from your diet entirely, but rather that they should be enjoyed sparingly. Where possible, staining drinks should also be enjoyed through a straw to minimise their contact with your teeth. 

3 - Keep up with your oral hygiene

Try to keep up with brushing and flossing regularly, as well as your regular dental hygiene appointments to keep your composite bonding looking bright!

In some cases, composite bonding can be strategically placed to disguise or minimise the appearance of gaps or crooked teeth. By cleverly placing the resin in the right places, we can drastically improve the appearance of misaligned teeth, completely revamping your smile without the need for major orthodontic work. However, whilst this does make the teeth appear to be straight, if you want them to be naturally straight, you will need a different treatment using tools such as Clear X Aligners or Six Month Smiles.

Upon meeting with a dentist for a consultation, they will advise you on the best course of action based on your individual needs and circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to getting the perfect smile. It is all down to your individual case.

The process of bonding composite to enamel is relatively straightforward.

On the day of your treatment, before starting the procedure, your dentist will choose a resin that best matches the colour of your natural tooth, in order to ensure a seamless result. They will then lightly roughen the surface of the enamel, before applying a liquid that allows the bonding agent to adhere to your natural tooth. The composite is then placed over the top of the liquid and moulded to the tooth in the desired shape. Finally, it is then hardened with ultraviolet light, trimmed and then polished (much like a false nail!).

This treatment is minimally invasive and can usually be completed in a single session.

Here at Dental Excellence, we want to ensure that each and every one of our clients has an experience that exceeds their expectations, from the moment that they arrive at our practice until their dental treatment is complete. It is for this reason that we would not advise trying to place a composite veneer over a crown. This is because a crown covers the entire tooth, and the bonding would not stick well as it only covers the surface, meaning that the composite would not adhere and likely fall off. Instead, we would always recommend that the crown be replaced rather than trying to alter its look with a veneer.

Following consultation, our team will devise a bespoke treatment plan based on your individual needs to achieve the best possible results.

On average, composite bonding lasts around 5 years. However, there are a wide variety of external factors that will affect the bonding’s lifespan. These include:

1 - The quality of work

Ensuring that you go with a highly skilled and qualified dentist is the first step in ensuring that you get the maximum lifespan out of your composite bonding. The dentist ultimately decides the quality of the material used, and its placement, which will impact how long it lasts.

2 - The placement of the composite bonding 

Certain teeth in your mouth are more liable to wear and tear than others. For example, bonding on your back teeth will almost certainly last longer than bonding in your front teeth, which are more exposed, thus, more vulnerable to damage or discolouration.

3 - The health of your natural teeth

As the composite is bonded to your natural teeth, the strength of the underlying tooth largely impacts the lifespan of your bonding. Healthy teeth lay a strong foundation and will be able to hold on to the composite for much longer. 

4 - How well you take care of them

Poor oral hygiene, consuming lots of sugary foods and drinks and habits like grinding your teeth or chewing on your fingernails will all have a negative impact on how long your composite bonding will last. 

Do you think that composite bonding might be the right treatment option for you? Book in for a consultation today to discuss your options.