Cosmetic Dentistry

Composite bonding is a procedure which involves the application of a composite resin or plastic to fix a chipped, damaged, or discolored tooth. Basically it’s called bonding because the materials used are bonded to the tooth in question. Composite bonding may be likened to veneers, only composite bonding could be done in a single session while veneers are manufactured in a laboratory and required to have customized molds for a perfect fit.

Among other cosmetic dental procedures, composite bonding is one of the easiest to do and also one of the least expensive. Composite bonding is usually done for cosmetic purposes, to fix the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. Sometimes it’s also done to close the gaps between the teeth and to alter the shape of the teeth to make it appear more aligned.

Composite bonding doesn’t even need anesthesia, unless you’re having composite bonding to fill in a decayed tooth.

The procedure is done first by the dentist picking out the right color of the resin to match the color of your teeth. Once he has chosen the color, he will lightly scratch off the surface of the tooth just to roughen it up a bit. Then the dentist will put a conditioning liquid on the tooth to make the bonding material stick on better.

The resin is then put on the teeth and hardened with a laser or ultraviolet light. The dentist goes on and reshapes and trims it until it matches the color, and texture of the rest of your teeth. For a tooth, the procedure usually lasts for about 30 minutes to a full hour. For several teeth, several visits may be needed.

One thing to remember when you have a composite bonding is that there are still risks and things to avoid. The resins used in composite bonding aren’t as strong as the teeth so great pressure applied to the teeth like biting hard food or biting your fingernails could chip the resin. Like teeth I could also be stained. Coffee, cigarettes, and tea could stain the resin. To minimize staining, it’s advisable to avoid these kinds of food for a couple of days after the procedure. It’s also best to maintain a proper oral hygiene and a regular visit to the dentist to have them cleaned.

Composite bonding could last for years before they need to be repaired, depending on your oral hygiene.