Composite bonding is the most conservative of the cosmetic treatments. Tooth-coloured resin is shaped directly onto the tooth and set with a curing light, usually with no drilling and often with no anaesthetic. For a small correction it is frequently the right answer, and it is reversible in a way that most alternatives are not.
What it handles well
- Chipped edges, particularly on front teeth after a knock or from biting something hard.
- Small gaps between teeth, where closing a narrow space produces a natural result.
- Worn incisal edges, where grinding or erosion has shortened the front teeth.
- Notching at the gum line, from years of hard brushing or from tooth flexure, which also addresses the sensitivity that goes with it.
- Localised discolouration, a single white spot or a small stained area.
- Minor shape irregularities, a tooth slightly smaller or more pointed than its neighbour.
- Exposed root surfaces, where recession has left sensitive dentine.
What it does not handle
Bonding is a repair, not a rebuild. It is not the right treatment for teeth that are substantially out of position, for changing the colour of a whole smile, for teeth with extensive decay or structural loss, or where heavy untreated grinding will simply break it again. It also has limits on how much it can mask: a very dark underlying tooth will show through a thin layer of composite, and building the layer thicker starts to look bulky.
Where the ambition is larger, veneers or a crown are the more appropriate route. The comparison is set out in porcelain or composite veneers and in filling or crown.
What the appointment involves
- Shade selection. Done before the tooth dries out, because teeth lighten as they dehydrate and a shade chosen late in an appointment can come out too light.
- Preparation. Usually just cleaning and lightly roughening the surface. Anaesthetic is often unnecessary.
- Etching and bonding agent, which creates the micro-mechanical bond.
- Layering. The composite is placed and shaped in increments, each cured with a light. Building in layers is what produces depth and translucency rather than a flat opaque block.
- Shaping and polishing. The contour, surface texture and gloss are refined. This is the step that decides whether the result reads as natural, and it takes longer than people expect.
A single tooth typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Several teeth are usually done in one longer appointment.
How long it lasts
Composite is softer than enamel and than porcelain. It wears at the edges, picks up stain over time and can chip, particularly on biting edges. Lifespan varies widely with bite, grinding, habits and where the bonding sits, so no figure can be promised for an individual. What is reliable is that it is repairable: composite can be added to, repolished or replaced without removing more tooth structure, which is a genuine advantage over porcelain.
Looking after it
- Avoid biting nails, pens, packaging and ice, and do not use your teeth as tools.
- Cut hard food rather than biting into it with the front teeth.
- Expect gradual staining from coffee, tea, red wine and curry. Rinse with water afterwards, and have it repolished at your regular visits.
- Use a standard fluoride toothpaste, not an abrasive or charcoal formulation, which dulls the surface.
- Wear a splint if you grind. Bonded edges are the first thing to go otherwise. See teeth grinding and occlusal splints.
Sequence with whitening
Composite does not lighten with whitening gel. If you intend to whiten, do it first, wait two weeks for the shade to settle and the bond strength to return to normal, then have the bonding matched to the final shade. Doing it the other way round leaves a mismatch that can only be fixed by redoing the bonding.
What it costs
Bonding is quoted per tooth according to the size and complexity of the repair. As a guide, tooth-coloured restorations at Civic Gentle Dental Care range from $209 to $450, and composite veneers, which cover the full front surface of a tooth, start from $700. Handcrafted porcelain veneers start from $1,490 per tooth where a more durable or more substantial change is appropriate. You will have an itemised plan before treatment begins.
Cosmetic bonding is generally not covered by health fund extras where it is done purely for appearance, though restoration of a chipped or worn tooth often is. Current fees are on our price list, with more on composite veneers and cosmetic dentistry in Canberra.
Common questions
Will the bonding match my teeth?
It is shade matched and layered to mimic the surrounding tooth. How closely it blends depends on the size of the repair and its position, which the dentist will discuss beforehand.
Does it hurt?
Most bonding requires little or no tooth preparation, so anaesthetic is often not needed. Where the repair extends near the nerve or below the gum, local anaesthetic is used.
Can bonding be removed later?
Yes. Because little or no enamel is removed in most cases, the tooth can usually be returned close to its original state, which is not true of porcelain veneers.
Is it better to bond or to have a veneer?
For a small chip or a single worn edge, bonding is usually the more conservative and sensible choice. For larger changes in colour or shape across several teeth, veneers generally give a more durable and more consistent result.
Booking an appointment in Canberra City
Civic Gentle Dental Care is a Canberra City dentist at Suite 8, Level 3/161 London Circuit, a short walk from the Canberra Centre. To arrange an appointment, call (02) 6247 0224 or send us a message through our contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual dental advice. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and what it will involve, can only be determined after an examination by a dentist. Any prices mentioned are estimates drawn from our current price guide and are not a quote.