With such a vast range of dental treatments available, it can be hard to know which one is best for you and your mouth. With some cosmetic and dental procedures better suited to some conditions more than others, it’s essential to explore all of the options available to find the ideal solution for you.
One treatment that is less well-known compared to others on the market is composite bonding. It’s a solution ideal for those looking to repair minor tooth damage or reduce gaps between teeth and has a natural-looking finish every time.
Want to find out more? Read on as we discuss the treatment process and whether composite bonding is right for you.
What is composite bonding?
Composite bonding, sometimes also referred to as tooth bonding or dental bonding, is an excellent treatment option for those looking to repair minor damage or reduce the appearance of gaps between teeth.
The bonding is ideal for filling chips or fractures on a tooth and can even be used to fix the discolouration of teeth. It works by using a composite resin which is attached to the tooth before being shaped to replicate the tooth’s natural appearance, ensuring the final result is as harmonious amongst the rest of the teeth.
What can composite bonding be used for?
Composite bonding is a fantastic solution for a range of imperfections and faults, providing a pain-free restorative solution for many patients. This includes:
- Repairing chipped teeth
- Fixing broken teeth
- Reducing gaps between teeth
- Reducing discolouration
- Adjusting the shape of a tooth
- Solving tooth decay
- Protecting exposed roots from gum recession
What is the cost of composite bonding?
The cost of treatment will depend on a range of factors, including how difficult the problem will be to solve and how much resin will be required. While it’s essential first to have a consultation with your dentist about your unique case, the standard price per tooth can vary between dentists. At our practice you can expect to pay £225 per tooth. We recommend you do your research when choosing a dentist by reading reviews and looking at before and after pictures of previous work carried out. Where possible try to pick a dentist you like and who has great reviews rather than making your decision based purely on price.
What is the treatment process like?
The composite bonding treatment process is relatively pain-free and straightforward, making it an ideal quick treatment for those looking for a simple solution to their needs. The first step will be to identify the colour of the resin being used to treat your tooth – we’ll always find the shade of resin that best matches your mouth to ensure a natural finish.
Your dentist will then begin the treatment by gently scratching the top surface of the tooth you’d like treated. They’ll then coat the tooth with a bonding liquid to hold the materials in place. The composite will then be moulded onto the tooth, forming a natural shape that matches how you’d like the tooth to appear.
To harden the composite, an ultraviolet light will be shone into the mouth before more shaping takes place, ensuring the tooth is in the desired shape. To finish, the composite is then polished, giving it a natural sheen, which will match the rest of the mouth.
Composite bonding before and after
Here are some examples of our patients who have had composite bonding treatment completed at our clinic in Liverpool.
What aftercare is required?
Thanks to the durable nature of composite bonding, there will be little aftercare required following the treatment. Regular check-ups with your dentist are advisable as they can make sure your mouth is healthy and your composite bonding is still in tip-top condition. They’ll also be able to give you a deep clean, ensuring your bonding remains unstained.
In addition to this, for 48 hours after having the procedure, you should avoid foods and drinks that may stain, such as tea and coffee, as well as smoking, as your bonds will be more likely to be marked whilst they’re still settling in your mouth.
There are other things you can do to prolong the life of your composite bonding. For instance, you should avoid eating too many hard foods to prevent cracking in your teeth should you bite down particularly hard. You should also use a good toothpaste that supports gum health and clean your teeth often to keep your mouth and gums clean and healthy.
What are the benefits of composite bonding?
There are a range of benefits to composite bonding:
Completed quickly
One of the most significant benefits of composite bonding in comparison to other treatments is that it’s a quick and effective way to rectify minor faults on teeth. In a majority of cases, the procedure can be completed in just one visit to your dentist, meaning you won’t have to keep going back and can focus on more important things.
Comfort after treatment
The treatment will also have little to no changes in how your mouth feels following treatment. With each composite that’s applied, it will be moulded to be an exact replica of the tooth before it was damaged, or it will solve any issue that may have been causing discomfort, ensuring your mouth will feel comfortable once treatment has finished.
Non-invasive treatment
With many other treatments, such as crowns or veneers, there can be a great deal of anxiety due to the invasive nature of the treatments as, in many cases, teeth are removed. However, with composite bonding, the whole treatment is entirely non-invasive, making it ideal for more anxious patients.
And, as the treatment is non-invasive, it is relatively pain-free. However, there may be some discomfort when the surface of the tooth is prepared as it can be a strange feeling to experience.
Affordable
Many dental and cosmetic procedures can also carry a significant price tag, mainly due to the work that is required. However, with composite bonding being such a simple treatment, it is a much more affordable solution for repairing teeth and will have a lifetime of many years.
Booking composite bonding
Overall, composite bonding is one of the most effective and simple procedures for those looking to repair tooth damage, reduce gaps between teeth or reduce discolouration. In just one quick and pain-free procedure, you can completely transform your smile.
Contact us today to book an appointment at one of our Liverpool practices. Our friendly team will be able to check your teeth and advise if composite bonding is right for you.