Composite Bonding
Composite Bonding
Used to repair and enhance the appearance of chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps between teeth and improve their overall shape, size and symmetry.
Short description:
Composite bonding is when we use a tooth coloured filling material (called composite) on teeth to improve their appearance or shape. People will either opt for composite edge bonding (applied to the edges of the teeth) when they require small improvement or want to achieve a more natural result, or a composite veneer (applied to the entire front surface of a tooth) to achieve a more impactful change.
- Consultation appointment to discuss your needs, desired outcome and what are the best options to enhance your smile. We will take photographs of your teeth, x-rays if required and ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and free from disease.
- Teeth whitening (if desired). This is an important step to consider prior to bonding. Teeth whitening only changes the colour of your teeth and will not work on any filling, bonding or crowns you may have. Therefore, if you wish to whiten your teeth it is best to whiten first and then we match the bonding to this colour.
- Trial smile – The trial smile is when we can allow you to test drive and see your smile before you commit to making long-term changes. It is temporarily placed on your teeth to show you what can be achieved
- Bonding appointment – the composite is applied on your teeth and polished. Your new smile is ready!
- Choose the right colour of composite that matches your teeth
- Prepare and clean teeth
- Apply bond on teeth
- Apply and hand sculpt the composite material to the desired shape
- Use a special light to set the composite so it hardens up and sticks to the teeth
- Polish the composite
- No injections
- No drilling/damage to the natural tooth
- Same day result
- Can improve the colour of the teeth if applied to the entire front surface of the tooth
- Tooth surface is cleaned and any stains are removed.
- Teeth are prepared with a gel (etch) that will roughen their surface microscopically and enhance how strongly the composite will bond to them.
- We then apply the composite material using special instruments and brushes to hand sculpt to the desired shape.
- Using a special light, the material is then set and hardens up.
- The procedure is completed with smoothing of the tooth surface and polishing.
- Avoid anything that could stain your teeth for the first 48 hours after (tea, coffee, smoking and foods which may stain such as beetroot, turmeric and curries)
- Brush your teeth twice a day and see the hygienist regularly. We recommend having the composite polished once a year to remove any surface stains.
- Avoid biting nails or chewing items such as pens, which could potentially chip the material.
