Composite bonding in Weybridge

Composite bonding is a way of repairing or reshaping teeth by adding a tooth-coloured resin directly to the surface. It can fix a chipped front tooth, close a small gap or even out teeth that are slightly different lengths. At Post House Dental in Weybridge, composite bonding is usually completed in a single visit, often with little or no drilling. As with all our treatments it is subject to a consultation and assessment.

What is composite bonding?

Composite is a tough resin material made in a range of tooth shades. It is called bonding because the material is bonded chemically to your natural tooth. Your dentist shapes it by hand, layer by layer, until it blends with the teeth around it.

Because it is added to the tooth rather than replacing part of it, composite bonding usually needs little or no removal of healthy enamel. That is one reason many people consider it before veneers or crowns.

Who is composite bonding for?

Composite bonding on front teeth can help with:

• chipped, cracked or worn edges
• small gaps between teeth, including spaces where food tends to get trapped
• teeth that are slightly uneven in length or shape
• small areas of discolouration that do not respond to whitening
• exposed root surfaces near the gum that need protecting

It is less suitable when teeth are very crooked, heavily filled or badly worn by grinding. In those cases we may suggest straightening first or a different restoration. Healthy teeth and gums are needed before any cosmetic work, so we check those first.

Composite bonding or veneers?

Both can improve the shape and colour of front teeth. The main differences are in how they are made and how much tooth is involved.

• Composite bonding is built directly on the tooth in the chair, usually in one visit. Little or no enamel is removed. It is the lower-cost option and can be repaired or added to later.
• Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory from measurements and moulds of your teeth. They usually need some preparation of the tooth surface and at least two visits. Porcelain resists staining well and tends to keep its polish.

Composite can pick up stains over time and may need polishing, repair or replacement in the years ahead. We will help you weigh up appearance, cost and how much tooth is involved. Our article on how long composite bonding lasts goes into more detail.

Whitening before bonding

Composite does not change colour with whitening. If you would like your teeth lighter overall, it usually makes sense to have teeth whitening first. Your bonding can then be matched to the new shade.

What happens during composite bonding

At your first visit we examine your teeth and gums and talk about what you would like to change. We may take photographs and a digital scan to plan the shape.

On the day of treatment, your dentist selects a shade to match your natural teeth. The surface of the tooth is gently roughened or treated with a conditioning gel, so the composite can grip. A bonding liquid is applied and the resin is added in layers. Each layer is shaped and then hardened with a curing light. Finally the composite is polished so that it feels smooth and matches the sheen of your other teeth.

A single tooth takes roughly 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much repair is needed. Several teeth take longer.

Does composite bonding hurt?

Most composite bonding does not need an injection, because the tooth is not drilled into deeply. If a tooth is decayed or the repair goes deeper, we numb it first so that you should feel no pain during treatment. Afterwards your teeth may feel slightly different to your tongue for a day or two while you get used to the new shape.

How much does composite bonding cost?

Composite Bonding per tooth is £350 (as a guide). The final fee depends on how many teeth are treated and how much work each one needs. It is confirmed in a written plan after your assessment. You can see all our prices on our fees page. Our articles on tooth bonding procedure and cost and composite bonding cost in the UK answer common questions.

Purely cosmetic bonding is usually a private treatment. We provide both NHS and private care, but cannot promise NHS availability for any particular treatment. Online booking is for private appointments only.

Looking after bonded teeth

Treat bonded teeth much as you would your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth and keep up with check-ups and hygiene visits. Composite can chip if you bite very hard things, so avoid biting nails, pens or ice. Tea, coffee, red wine and smoking can stain it over time. A polish at your hygiene appointment often helps.

If a bonded tooth chips or a section comes away, contact us. Composite can usually be repaired by adding new material rather than starting again. Results vary from person to person. We will be honest about what bonding can achieve for your teeth.

Your clinicians

Composite bonding at Post House Dental is provided by Kamini Patel, Associate Dentist (BDS (Lond) Hons, MJDF RCS (Eng), PG Cert Rest Dent (UCL)) and Safia Mir, Associate Dentist (BDS Bristol Dip Clinical Aesthetics).

Why patients choose Post House Dental

We have cared for patients at The Old Post House on Heath Road in Weybridge since 1978. Our dentists use magnification in almost all procedures, which helps with precise shaping and finishing. We favour approaches that keep as much natural tooth as possible, in line with our interest in biomimetic and preventative dentistry. You will always have a written plan and a clear fee before any treatment starts. For the full range of options see our cosmetic dentistry page.