What is Composite Bonding?

Composite Bonding what is it and why should you care?

Composite bonding can be the solution to most of your dental problems. “A smile is infectious and it’s great to spread it.” A perfect smile relies on more than just straight teeth. A chipped or cracked tooth, facial aesthetics, gaps, or discoloured or decayed teeth can all be successfully fixed with composite bonding. Even receding gums can be improved.

What is dental composite bonding?
Composite bonding is one of the easiest ways to solve a wide range of dental problems including restoring lost teeth. Composite bonding simply involves applying a composite resin material coloured to match your natural teeth, to existing teeth. The resin is molded by our expert technicians, creating a perfect match with the existing teeth. This popular method is used for whitening, masking discoloured teeth, improving cosmetic structure, filling dental gaps or cavities, and repairing broken or cracked teeth. Composite bonding is considered by most professionals as a near-perfect solution for solving minor dental imperfections.

Do you need a composite bonding procedure?
If you have the following issues the composite bonding may just be the solution you have been waiting for:

• Spotted or discoloured teeth – often caused due to excessive coffee or smoking
• Decaying teeth or cavities
• Spaces and gaps between teeth
• Receding gums or exposed roots
• Cosmetic problems
• Chipped, or cracked teeth
• Mismatched teeth size—making teeth look longer

Are there risks or side effects associated with composite bonding?
This is a relatively risk-free dental procedure. There are a few uncommon side effects that may result:
Allergic reactions: In some rare conditions, patients may experience a reaction to the coloured composite resin, or other medication that may be used in the procedure.
Infection: In extremely rare cases if the tooth has not been properly cleaned and sterilised before the composite bonding procedure patients may develop an infection or tooth decay.

The Pros and Cons of Tooth Bonding
Advantages

• No need for anesthesia – it’s a really quite a simple procedure
• Probably the most cost-effective cosmetic dental treatments
• Quick – often takes no more than an hour or a single dental session
• Natural-looking
• Affordable
• Painless, no injections required
• Can last up to seven years

Disadvantages

• Not as hard wearing as more expensive alternative crowns or veneers
• Can stain over time

Preparing for your composite bonding procedure?
Most cases do not require any specific preparations. It doesn’t require anesthesia and it can be a simple dental process in most cases.

What to expect?
Typically, the process can last 30-60 minutes and can quite often be successfully completed in a single visit. The complete composite bonding procedure involves the following steps:

The following steps are taken to prepare the tooth:

• Colour selection: We have a comprehensive shade card to match different tooth colours and shades. This helps to ensure the natural look is maintained.
• Cleaning: It is essential for your dentist to clean your teeth properly before the procedure to reduce the risk of infections and to ensure the best possible bonding.
• Drilling/Trimming: Some drilling may be required to remove existing decay or to trim existing teeth.

Acid etching
Once the tooth has been cleaned and trimmed, the dental area is etched. This is a gel-based fluid which contains 30 to 40% phosphoric acid. This is applied precise place bonding is required and is washed off after about 8 minutes.

Bonding agent
Following the Acid Etch, a bonding agent consisting of a liquid plastic substance is applied on the etched surface. We use a small brush-like applicator to spread the bonding agent in a thin layer in preparation of the tooth area for the composite.

Once this stage is complete, the composite can resemble putty and then we apply it to the treatment area to shape it to the required size and shape.

Completion
We complete the restoration process by using a curing light for about thirty to sixty seconds.

Finally we finish the treatment by making any necessary trimming, shaping, layering and then polishing.

If you’re considering making improvements to your smile, by either eliminating gaps, or having repairs done to cracked or chipped teeth, then composite bonding may well be the perfect solution.

Speak to us today to arrange a consultation.