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7 Things You Need To Know About Composite Bonding In 2023

03 November 2022
Reviewed by Dr. Niall Vallely
Dr. Niall Vallely Profile Image

Table of Contents

Composite bonding or cosmetic bonding is a treatment where your dentist adds a special coloured resin to your teeth to improve their appearance. 

It is absolutely pain free, no anaesthesia is needed and there is no permanent alteration to the natural tooth structure, as no drilling is necessary.

It (composite bonding) is a very good option for fixing chipped, fractured or discoloured teeth, to close small gaps or to improve the general appearance of your smile.  Dr. Niall Vallely

Using modern materials and simple techniques, composite bonding is an affordable and faster alternative to dental crowns or veneers, as it can be done in one single visit to the dentist, which saves you time and money.

1. Composite Bonding For Crooked Teeth

composite bonding - smile 4 - Before - 3Dental
Composite bonding - smile 4 - after - 3Dental

Before and After (Click to enlarge)

Dental Cosmetic Bonding

Composite bonding can help to improve the appearance of slightly crooked teeth. By adding some composite resin in strategic places, your dentist can hide or mascarade misaligned teeth, improving the appearance of your smile.

However, please do keep in mind that it is only possible to correct minor position problems with composite bonding

When tooth are more severely misaligned, we would recommend an orthodontic treatment prior to bonding.

2. Composite Bonding For Bottom Teeth

Composite bonding can be used to improve the aesthetic of the bottom teeth as well, but there are some factors that need to be considered before doing it, like the patient’s bite and how the top and bottom teeth meet. 

If the patient has bruxism or suffers from teeth grinding, dental bonding is not a good option because the composite resin is not strong enough to resist to the forces and may fracture.

3. Can Composite Bonding Close Gaps In My Front Teeth?

Composite Bonding - smile 22 - before - 3Dental
Composite Bonding - smile 22 - after - 3Dental

Rickie (Click to enlarge)

Dental Cosmetic Bonding

Yes! Composite bonding is a very good option for closing small gaps between teeth. Either for a single gap or multiple small gaps between all the teeth, you can achieve amazing results with bonding. 

Your dentist places the composite resin on the teeth, closing the gaps between them or making them more discrete if it is not possible to close them completely. 

However, if the gap is too big, the dentist might consider a quick orthodontic treatment before going with the bonding, to avoid extremely big or disproportional teeth.

Is Composite Bonding Right For You?

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4. Composite Bonding Versus Veneers

There are some differences between composite bondings and veneers that need to be considered by both the dentist and the patient before going ahead with any treatment.

Here are the most important ones:

Differences Between Composite Bonding & Veneers
Composite BondingVeneers
Non-invasive treatment. No drilling or permanent damage to the natural teeth is done, and it can be easily repaired if needed.Veneers are irreversible, as the tooth needs to be drilled to perfectly fit it.
Offers immediate results, as it can be done in one single visit to the dentist.Veneers require at least two visits, with a space of a few weeks between them, so the technicians have time to prepare the veneer in the dental laboratory.
Cheaper than porcelain veneers. Composite bonding is between €275 and €300 per tooth.A porcelain veneer costs €600 per tooth.
Lasts from 5 to 7 years, if the patient takes good care of it.Porcelain veneers are expected to last at least 15 years.
They don’t break or chip easily and they don’t stain or discolour as the composite resin does.Porcelain veneers are significantly more resistant than composite bondings.

The best way to determine which solution is right for you is to talk to your dentist about your aesthetic goals. 

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution, then composite bonding is a very good fit.

However, if the patient has a severe aesthetic problem and is looking for a long lasting solution, then porcelain veneers might be the best option.

5. Does It Hurt?

Composite bonding is absolutely pain free. No injection is necessary and there is no drilling in the natural teeth. Dr. Niall Vallely

The composite resin will be added to the clean surface of the tooth, and gently polished in the end. 

6. What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Composite Bonding?

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Painless procedure - No injections requiredIt is not as strong as other cosmetic materials - the bonding can break or chip under pressure.
No drilling - The tooth structure is preservedComposite resin can stain under certain habits and pigments, like smoking or frequent coffee/tea drinking. Some types of food and drinks can also cause discoloration of the composite.
Durability - Bonding is expected to last between 5 to 7 years if the patient takes good care of it and has regular visits to the hygienist.It is short, compared to the 15 years that a porcelain veneer is expected to last.
No lab work necessary - Can be done in one single visit to the dentist.
Price - Cheaper than other cosmetic treatments

Is Composite Bonding Right For You?

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7. Composite Bonding Near Me

We have clinics in:

  1. The Red Cow Complex, Naas Rd, Fox-And-Geese, Dublin, D22 KV24
  2. Old Quarter House, Little Ellen St, Limerick, V94 D72V
  3. 28 Briarhill Business Park, Galway, H91 C9DR

We offer free consultations in all our clinics - allowing you to get all your questions answered before you proceed with treatment!

A 360 View Of Our Dublin Clinic!

Dublin

A 360 View Of Our Limerick Clinic!

Limerick

A 360 View Of Our Galway Clinic!

Galway

Conclusion

3dental dublin and limerick

For patients who have healthy natural teeth and desire a quick solution to improve the appearance or their smile, composite bonding is a fast, painless and affordable option.

It is the least invasive way of getting teeth aesthetically restored. 

It is suitable for almost everyone and cheaper than other cosmetic treatments. You can get immediate results, as it only requires one visit to the dentist. Check out our Smile Gallery and Testimonials pages to see and hear from our previous bonding patients.

So, if you have any minor dental problems that you are not happy with, talk to us about composite bonding. It might be the best solution to make you smile again!

Recent Reviews

Owen

“Never bothered by having to go to the dentist again. I had to get whitening, bonding and a crown done over the space of a year and it was a great experience. The team are A1 and Fergal is a great...”

Keith O'Brien

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Eileen Dempsey

“I have just had my Implant, from Doctor Peter Doherty, and have to say i was treated so well from start to finish, and the end result is amazing. I am so very happy with my new smile, i will attend...”

Viv van der Holst

“Firstly apologies for the delay in writing this review. I have been too busy smiling again :) And chewing food normally. I cannot express enough the gratitude I feel towards Dr Andoni Jones and his...”

Sean Dentur

“I got 6 implants over past 2 years in 3Dental. Very efficient/professional and kind staff. Would highly recommend them.”

Whitney Culleton

“I had an consultation for composite bonding with a female dentist back in December and I left not feeling great about the app so rather than leaving a bad review I reached out to Dr Niall for a...”

Tara Henshaw

“I had composite bonding done with Dr Carmen and gingivectomy with Dr Andoni Jones , they were both brilliant. Thanks so much to them both they were so friendly and so good at their job I'm delighted...”

Caitlin Morrison

“I've been going to 3Dental the last year with Dr Carmen. She's amazing so nice and her work is great Got my composite bonding with her defo recommend always give advice and always there if needs be...”

Jane Russell

“Such a brilliant clinic with fantastic service. Had to have a couple of things done with fillings and bonding so I saw a number of dentists, all of whom were total pros and expert at what they do. A...”

Caroline O'Brien

“I have had lots of treatment and also my 2 daughters here in 3Dental which included root canal wisdom tooth extraction crowns and now implants and All on the same premises. All staff we have met have...”

Zoe Bates

“I had 8 edge composite bondings on the top done and I'm super happy with my results. After braces my teeth were straight but all different sizes/shapes on the edge so bonding was the perfect...”

Abby Garcia

“Excellent place and fantastic job. I'm so happy with my veneers. I've wanted normal teeth for over 30 years and I'm so so happy with the results achieved by Dr Daniel Kim. Such a nice guy and really...”

Laura O'Brien

“Would highly recommend 3Dental to anyone. I have been getting a lot of cosmetic work done between, dental implants, crowns and veneers and through every stage they have walked me through what would...”

Michelle Walsh

“Got my smile back thanks to Paul and Andoni! Started my treatment this time last year and wish I had done it sooner! Paul is such a perfectionist and really listens to you (I was a nervous patient)...”

Nicola Myler

“An accident happened the weekend with my front tooth veneer I am from Waterford and couldn't get an appointment down here for another 2 weeks so I was so upset and my sister told me to ring 3Dental...”

Helen Redmond

“Amazing experience with 3Dental. Got Invisalign which didn't move one tooth. Needed to get fixed braces but it was seamless. Also had my braces during Covid pandemic. Although I could go to the...”

Emma Keating

“I had composite bonding done here by Dr Carmen. She was very patient and made sure I was completely happy with the final result before I left, she even offered to fix anything I was unhappy with...”

Lyle Andre

“Outstanding service from start to finish, I recently had my braces removed after 2 years with 3Dental and I have never been happier with my results. The lovely Katrina was my very competent dentist...”

The Scarlet Gamer

“I am so happy with the professional service I receive anytime I go to 3Dental. The new office is spacious & well designed. The staff are friendly & efficient. I love how they offer everything under...”

Lorraine Fleming

“I am in the process of having a front bridge to replace a bad front tooth, I am overwhelmed with the difference already, I'm actually smiling again and my confidence has already improved. Niall and...”

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