Composite bonding – what is it?
Composite bonding is a reliable solution for minor damage or gap in the teeth. It is also known by various names including tooth or teeth bonding and dental bonding. Interestingly, when you get this as a cosmetic dentistry treatment in the UK it is unavailable on the NHS or National Health Service. However a number of practices provide the treatment as a private service.
Dental bonding or tooth bonding is widely prescribed by dentists to fix a range of issues. These include hiding fracture in the tooth or chipped tooth, gaps between the teeth and hiding teeth discolouration. The procedure involves attaching a composite resin material to the tooth and shaping it. As a result the damaged tooth restores its earlier appearance. The resin is matched with the natural shade of the teeth. Thus your bonded tooth or teeth will never stand out from the rest of the natural ones. The treatment proves effective in making your smile better and more beautiful than it was.
Trained and experienced dentists associated with the renowned Bayswater Dental Clinic in London usually recommend teeth whitening along with composite bonding treatment to ensure better results.
Advantages that composite bonding offers
This modern dentistry procedure offers a string of benefits which includes the following –
Absolutely non invasive – dental bonding treatment is a non invasive procedure. Alternative treatments like veneers and crowns a part of the tooth is permanently scraped away. This causes an irreversible damage to the tooth. In composite bonding treatment there is no permanent damage of the tooth. Only the surface to the targeted tooth is roughened in order to ensure the composite resin material bonds well with the tooth. In integrity of your tooth structure is never affected in any way through this procedure.
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Fast and effective – the procedure is pretty fast and can be completed just by one visit to your dentist. In fact dentists identify it as a fast and effective means to address certain minor issues with the teeth. The composite material that is bonded with the tooth or teeth is hardened using a curing light. This hardening of the bonding material is done immediately after it is applied to the tooth. Thus the treated tooth or teeth can bite down comfortably at the end of your appointment.
The cost of the treatment
What is the cost of composite bonding treatment? This is a relevant question and a lot of people are eager to get the answer. As far as the UK is concerned, the cost of the treatment varies widely. The cost mainly depends on the extent of the work you are undergoing. Usually the price of the treatment ranges between £200 and £400 a tooth. However your dentist can provide you with the final figures only after carrying out a clinical analysis of your mouth.
Is the treatment available on the NHS?
Since it is a purely dental cosmetic treatment, it is not available in the NHS. But a large number of dental practices offer the treatment as a private service. Some of these practices even provide easy payment option and monthly instalment schemes with 0% interest on the treatment.
Composite bonding and teeth whitening treatment – how do the two work together?
Just like teeth whitening procedure, composite bonding too is a effective solution for stained teeth. Thus it can be used along with teeth whitening treatment to help people achieve better, brighter and more attractive smile. If you are planning to undergo composite bonding treatment, chances are high that your dentist will ask you to undergo teeth whitening treatment first. Only then composite bonding that you actually desire will be done on your teeth. There is a reason behind it. Once the composite bond is applied to your teeth surface it will not be possible to whiten the teeth any further. Thus composite resin that rightly matches the colour of your teeth will be selected once your teeth have been whitened.
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The procedure for composite bonding – a brief introduction
- If we breakdown the overall procedure into simple steps it will be easier to explain. In the first step the dentist matches the composite resin material that matches with the colour of your teeth. This matching is important else it will be practically impossible to make your bonded tooth or teeth match with your natural teeth.
- In the next step the tooth that is to be treated is prepared for the procedure. A liquid gel is applied to the tooth to make its surface a little roughened. This is done so that the bonding material bonds to the tooth surface better. In the next step an adhesive liquid is applied to the tooth. This is required so that the composite resin material adheres well to the tooth structure.
- The resin that is applied is moulded into the desired shape to match with that of the rest of the teeth. In fact the skills and expertise of a dentist get proved in this step of the procedure. The resin is hardened by using a curing light and then it is chiselled to shape again.
- Lastly the dentist will polish the bonded tooth till it matches with the rest of the teeth in your mouth.
Is it possible to have composite bonding treatment with gum disease?
People who suffer from gum disease (or have suffered from it in the past) usually have their gums receded or shrunk. This creates appearance of spaces between the teeth. Composite bonding is an excellent option to mask those spaces. However as far as gum disease is concerned it is serious oral health condition and cannot be ignored. Thus your dentist will first treat your gum disease and get you completely cured. Only after that you may be considered for composite bonding treatment.
Tips to care for composite bond
- You should skip tea, coffee, red wine, smoking and any other food or drink that may stain the teeth for 48 hours following the treatment.
- Normally brush and floss the teeth every day to maintain optimum dental hygiene. Visit a dental hygienist every six months to ensure sound oral health. These are the ways to maintain composite bonds stain clean and unstained.
- Avoid biting nails, chewing pen caps and learn using bottle openers instead of using the teeth. These will help you avoid damage to your composite bond.
It is relevant mentioning in the ongoing context that the Bayswater Dental Clinic offers one of the most reasonable costs for composite bonding across the entire UK. The practice also possesses an excellent track record in handling this type of cases.
