Composite bonding has exploded onto the dental scene, offering a cheaper, less painful alternative to veneers, but what is it all about
1. Composite bonding is simply layers of resin glued to the surface of the tooth. The tooth surface is roughened with an acid, a glue is applied and then the resin is layered over the glue. An ultraviolet light hardens the resin against the tooth surface
2. It is recognised as non-invasive as the tooth does not have to be cut. In order to avoid a bulky appearance, it may be advised to realign the teeth using a clear alignment treatment before any composite bonding takes place.
3. It can be easily repaired by layering new resin in place of the damaged resin; unlike a veneer which would need to be cut off and replaced.
4. A big disadvantage is that the resin can’t be bleached; so if you want whiter teeth you will need to whiten the other teeth first and then match the composite colour to the bleached teeth.
5. Composite bonding can stain at the edges that meet the tooth surface, so you might have to avoid staining elements in the diet e.g. tea, coffee, red wine, berries. These stains can be polished out by a dentist and minimised using certain toothpastes.
6. Composite bonding can be removed by drilling, but this has to be done carefully so as not to damage the underlying tooth surface
7. Composite bonding needs maintenance by a dentist including polishing and checking of the bite. This may need to be done anywhere from every 6months to every couple of years depending on a patient’s bite, diet, habits like nail biting etc.
8. Composite bonding is cheaper than veneers because they can be done directly onto the teeth, unlike a veneer which needs to be made in a laboratory.
9. Edge bonding is a specific type of composite bonding which involves gluing the resin only to the edge of the tooth, this restores the tooths natural shape and can reshape worn surfaces of teeth. This gives a youthful appearance.
10. A plastic retainer is usually recommended after treatment is completed to protect the composite from breaking. These are usually worn at night and are specifically important for bruxists (people who grind their teeth at night)
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