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What Is Dental Bonding and How Much Does It Cost?

Dr. Niall Vallely Profile Image

Last Reviewed 19 August 2021

Medically reviewed by Dr. Niall Vallely, Bachelor Dent. Sc. (Trinity College Dublin) 2003, Cosmetic Dentist

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Dental Bonding at 3Dental

Our cosmetic dentistry team have been providing dental bonding since we opened in 2016 with fantastic results. Check our wide range of before and after pictures on our smile gallery.

So you want to know what dental bonding is and how much it costs? Well you've come to the right place.

Let's first take a closer look at what dental bonding is.

What Is Dental Cosmetic Bonding?

Dental bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored composite resin material to enhance the aesthetics of your smile.

It serves to address various issues like repairing chips, closing gaps, or altering the shape and color of a tooth.

Unlike crowns and veneers, it does not usually involve the removal of tooth surface. Dental bonding allows us to repair chips, stains and fluorosis as well as the shape and size of the tooth to improve your smile.

We do this by adding composite (white tooth filling) carefully to the teeth.

Wedding Smile - Dental bonding - 3Dental

Dental bonding is often carried out after braces to repair damage that was done in the past through chipping and grinding.

Straightened teeth are often shorter than other teeth, but we can build them up to restore their proper shape and size.

At 3Dental we also often provide dental dental bonding for wedding parties to improve minor imperfections in the bride and grooms smile.

We often do this straight after tooth whitening.

This takes very little time and is very popular as the results can be very impressive.

Is Dental Bonding Right For You?

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How Does Dental Bonding Work?

We have spent years improving and honing our dental bonding system. In larger cases, we will normally do a wax up and digital smile design of your teeth before we ever start working on them.

This allows us to ‘see’ the end result before we start and ensures both patient and dentist and technician are in agreement as to what the best-looking result will be.

Bonding involves preparing the surface of the tooth with a thorough cleaning followed by priming the tooth with etch and bond and then the addition of composite (white filling material).

The dentist will carefully match the colour of the material to the desired colour of the teeth.

Dental Bonding Prices

Bonding TypePrice
Incisal Edge Bonding€175 per tooth
Composite Bonding€275-€300 per tooth
Prices start at €175 per tooth up to a maximum of €300 per tooth. Dr. Niall Vallely

The cost of dental bonding very much depends on the number of teeth involved and the size and complexity of the problem.

At 3Dental we also offer payments plans which work as follows:

Dental Bonding Payment Plans
Available on treatments over €1,000
50% required upfront
The balance can be paid over 12 months
A minimum of €150 per month is required.
Composite Bonding - smile 22 - before - 3Dental
Composite Bonding - smile 22 - after - 3Dental

Before & After (Click to enlarge) - Dental Cosmetic Bonding

With larger cases where there are a lot of teeth to be bonded, we can reduce the overall cost per tooth.

In addition, we often use wax ups and clinical smile design and these carry a small additional cost (see price list).

Is Dental Bonding Right For You?

Book Your Free Consultation

Difference Between Porcelain and Dental Bonding

  • Bonding is made of dental composite (a type of resin).
  • Porcelain crowns and veneers are ceramic.

Ceramics usually require us to prepare teeth by removing some of the outer layer of teeth (the enamel) in order to allow the dental laboratory to fabricate the new teeth. This requires an impression also.

A separate appointment is then required to try in the teeth and bond them on.

Dental bonding avoids all these steps. However, given that dental bonding really only changes tooth size, shape and minor flaws, it is not suitable for crooked teeth or very weak or broken down teeth.

Benefits and Uses of Dental Bonding

Composite bonding - Rickie - Before - 3Dental
Composite Bonding - Rickie - After - 3Dental

Rickie (Click to enlarge) - Dental Cosmetic Bonding

  • Can dramatically alter the appearance of teeth especially stained or coloured teeth
  • Avoids the need for multiple appointments
  • Avoids the need for tooth surface removal
  • Very affordable especially compared to crowns and veneers
  • Can be used in conjunction with braces and bleaching
  • Chips or breaks on bonding are usually easy and quick to repair
  • Considered to be an entirely reversible procedure

How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

Composite bonding - Kyle Dunphy - before - 3dental
composite bonding - Kyle Dunphy - after - 3Dental

Kyle Dunphy (Click to enlarge) - Dental Cosmetic Bonding

This depends on how well you look after your teeth. After the bonding, factors such as grinding and smoking can affect the bonding.

Generally, a well bonded tooth will last for a maximum of 5 years. We do recommend that you see your hygienist every 6 months to maintain healthy gums and teeth and see your dentist once a year.

I had composite bonding done in 2005 and it’s still going strong! Neidin

Is Bonding Bad For Your Teeth?

No. Bonding won’t harm your teeth. Bonding, however, does require good oral hygiene and healthy gums to work properly.

What we do find at 3Dental is that after bonding, patients really like their new smile and tend to look after their teeth more. So you could say that bonding is actually good for your teeth….

Can You Whiten a Bonded Tooth?

composite bonding - smile 5 - before - 3Dental
composite bonding - smile 5 - after - 3dental

Before and After (Click to enlarge) - Dental Cosmetic Bonding

Dental bonding won’t whiten with bleach (the same as veneers and crowns).

We recommend that you bleach your teeth before starting the bonding process.

However, in smaller bonding cases, we can make the bonding a little lighter in colour to allow you to bleach after.

Is Dental Bonding Right For You?

Book Your Free Consultation

Conclusion

We're passionate about dental bonding here at 3Dental! Do you have more questions about bonding? Check out our article entitled: 7 Things You Need To Know About Dental Bonding.

Dental bonding is safe and reliable. Because it is non-aggressive to teeth and entirely reversible, we’re big fans of it at 3Dental. A lot of our dentists, nurses and receptionists have had dental bonding done.

We're delighted to say that we've had many, many smile transformations which can be seen on our smile gallery and testimonials pages.

So why not give us a call today and pop into 3Dental for your free consultation! Our dentists will be delighted to show you how it all works and discuss your options.

Recent Reviews

Kieran Spillane

“Can’t recommend 3Dental Limerick enough. I’ve got composite bonding here years ago and I’ve had trouble with one tooth in particular that has chipped a couple of times (my own fault) and Fearghal has...”

Niamh Cryan

“I had such an amazing experience at 3Dental Limerick! I had braces when I was younger and in the ~9 years since they came off my teeth had started to slightly move back into a more crooked alignment....”

Ashley Hynes

“I couldn’t recommend 3Dental Galway enough. The staff are so professional and accommodating. Dr. Paul O’Connell was fantastic. I had fixed braces and bonding to my teeth and I couldn’t be happier...”

Evan McMahon

“Would highly recommend Aishling the dental hygienist at 3Dental Galway. Very professional, positive, and down-to-earth person. She makes time to speak you, whilst also been very informative and...”

Marie Nevin

“I can smile again, thanks to Dr. Andrea and her team. I would totally recommend 3Dental Galway. I was treated with the utmost care and professionalism from start to finish.”

Clare McSharry

“I travelled from Sligo to Galway to get 2 teeth implants done by Dr. Andrea Uribarri. The service was excellent during the implant process. I have been back for 1 checkup, and I'm really happy with...”

Nicole Ward

“Highly recommend 3Dental. Just had my braces removed after 1 year and a half and so happy with the results. My orthodontist Tatiana was amazing to deal with, so calming and friendly at every visit....”

EJ Ryan

“Very happy with the excellent professional service from Peter Doherty.”

Brian Cooper

“Didn't think I would be given a review about a dentist, but I have to highly recommend 3Dental about their professional team, especially Dr Peter Doherty, who looked after me with my dental implants,...”

Ciaran Kavanagh

“Where do I start, I was looking for some dental work to be done,I knew it was not going to be any straightforward procedure. I searched the Internet and found 3Dental. I am so glad that I did, I am...”

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

“I would highly recommend 3Dental. This time last year I was in constant pain with infections and my teeth were in a bad way. I came across 3Dental while searching for dental implants. I had...”

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...”

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