Composite bonding offers a smart, snappy solution to chipped, gappy or discoloured teeth. It’s a great alternative to more costly, crowns and veneers, and the reason it’s so speedy is because this restoration doesn’t need to be manufactured off-site so your smile spoiling issues can be dealt with then and there.
This tooth enhancing treatment uses a tooth coloured resin that is applied and shaped to set dental defects straight – a simple concept but its application does take some considerable skill on our part. It tends to work best for teeth that are basically healthy but might need a little cosmetic tweak to get them in shape and is normally best used in areas of low bite pressure.
So what can this clever resin do?
- Repair chipped/cracked teeth
- Close gaps
- Restore the shape or size of a tooth
- Disguise discolouration
- Make teeth look longer
- Offer an alternative to unsightly amalgam fillings
- Protect an exposed root
Blends with benefits
Cosmetic bonding is a great looking treatment with plenty of benefits:
- Quick
- Affordable
- No need to remove any healthy tooth
- Often no need for anaesthesia
How does it work?
- We select a composite shade that will prove the best match for your teeth.
- We slightly roughen the tooth to make sure the resin sticks.
- We then apply the composite and carefully sculpt so it blends with the existing tooth structure.
- A whizzy ultraviolet light is used to harden or ‘cure’ the composite. Further shaping may be necessary and this is followed by a final polish so it fits in perfectly.
The whole process usually takes less than an hour so if you only have one disappointing tooth, you’ll be done and dusted in just one visit.
To keep your ceramic bonding in beautiful condition, try to avoid those tasty tipples that may prove to be little stain devils such as tea, coffee and red wine – particularly when you’ve just had treatment. Also, as always, try and be an oral hygiene fanatic and keep those teeth well and truly brushed and flossed.
And try to lay off biting your nails, chewing pen tops and chomping on very hard foods because, though suitably strong, composite bonding is not as tough as natural teeth. It can potentially last for several years but could break off if not treated with a little bit of TLC.
