Halesowen Dental

36 Haden Hill Road | Halesowen | B63 3NQ

The Ultimate FAQ Guide to Composite Bonding

Published On: July 29th, 20211110 words5.7 min readCategories: TreatmentsTags: , , , , ,

Composite bonding is a great way to change the shape and shade of your teeth over the course of one sitting. But we know you probably have questions, so here is the Ultimate FAQ Guide to Composite bonding!

How long does composite bonding last?

We don’t like to put a life span on treatments, as it completely depends on diet, oral hygiene habits and where the tooth is positioned. However, as a very rough guide, we say you would be looking at 4 to 8 years.

How does composite bonding work?

It does exactly what it says on the tin! We bond composite to a natural tooth, changing it’s shade and shape in the process. But what is really good is that it is completely reversible and removable. We don’t take away any natural tooth at all.

How much is composite bonding?

Our treatment costs vary, so it would be best to be seen for a consultation to discuss this.

Is composite bonding bad for your teeth?

Not at all. Infact, it’s one of the least invasive treatments you can have done on your teeth. The composite is literally just bonded to the top of your teeth, allowing easy removal if necessary. The tooth itself isn’t actually touched, apart from a bit of roughening up with an etchant gel to help the composite bond.

How much does composite bonding cost UK?

It will probably vary from provider to provider, so feel free to shop around, or book in for a consultation if you would like to discuss your treatment.

Is bonding better than veneers?

Both treatments achieve a similar result, but they are infact completely different in their method. For a veneer, your tooth will have to be prepared to make room for the veneer. Although it is only a few milimetres thick, that amount of tooth will need to be removed in order to make room for the veneer. With composite bonding, the tooth itself remains as it is, making the proceedure reversible. Once you have veneers, you will always need veneers or crowns.

Does bonding teeth last?

It does! Composite bonding can last a very long time if it is looked after properly with regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene at home.

Does tooth bonding look natural?

It does. Here are some before and after pictures of composite bonding:

Comp bonding before & after 1

This first case shows how composite bonding can be used to close a single gap, such as this patients diastema.

Composite bonding before & after 13

This case shows the alteration of 5 of the front teeth so that they blend seemlessly in with the patients natural teeth

Composite build ups before & after 12

This case is hard to spot, but we’ve changed the shape of the incisors of this patient to give the smile line a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Can I whiten my teeth if I have bonding?

You can, but it’s usually best to have this done before your teeth are bonded, as the whitening gel will not change the shade of the composite bonded teeth. If you have bonding after whitening, we can then match the bonding to the shade of your natural teeth.

How soon can you eat after tooth bonding?

Straight away! Another great thing about composite bonding is that it requires no local anesthetic, so you’re not numb. And the material sets hard at the surgery, so you can go and enjoy your new teeth straight away.

What can you not do after tooth bonding?

Don’t try and bite into anything that’s rock hard, like hard toffee. And absolutely no opening bottles with your teeth, although this stands for your narual ones too.

Can you eat an apple with bonded teeth?

You can, an apple is soft enough to bite into. Just avoid the super hard things like hard toffee.

Can you touch up bonding?

You can, yes. It doesn’t with everyone, but like natural teeth, sometimes mishaps happen and you may find yourself with a chip. Give us a call and we should be able to make it good as new for you.

How can I reduce the gap between my teeth naturally?

The only way to move teeth is by using an orthodontic system, such as braces or Invisalign. However, this can be expensive if you’re just looking to close one gap. Composite bonding is great for gaps like that because you are just altering the offending teeth, and it can be done in one sitting.

Why are the gaps in my teeth getting bigger?

Your teeth are constantly on the move, believe it or not. You probably won’t notice it because it takes a long time, but you may find yourself noticing gaps getting bigger. This could be for a number of reasons, so it’s always good to get yourself checked at a dentist, as you may have gum or periodontal disease. This means you may be losing the bone around your teeth that keeps them in place.

Can you fix front teeth gap?

You can, either by using an orthodontic system, or with Composite bonding.

Can I use rubber bands to close my gap?

I know this is one of these online trends but it’s not a good idea to try and move teeth yourself, as you could create big problems in the future. It’s best to seek a professionals advice with regards to moving teeth.

How much is Invisalign for a year?

Invisalign treatment will vary from patient to patient. Some patients are done within a few months, whereas others may need a few years. A consultation with us will help determine how long you would need treatment for.

What is the best treatment for gap between teeth?

If you have lots of gaps all over the place, then orthodontic treatment may be the answer. However, composite bonding can be added to as little or as many teeth as needed, so this is also an option.

Why do I have black triangles between my teeth?

Black triangles are caused when the gum that sits around teeth has come away slightly. This happens with age anyway but poor oral hygiene and smoking can also cause this. However, it may also be completely natual. If you are concerned, it’s best to get yourself booked in for an appointment.

What do you call the gap between your front teeth?

It’s technical name is a diastima (di-as-ti-ma) and many people have them.

Do gaps in teeth get bigger with age?

Gaps can be caused by age, but sometimes there can be an underlying issue such as gum or periodontal disease.

If you still have any questions regarding your teeth, our treatments or anything inbetween, then please get in touch. We’re happy to help!