For many people in Northern Ireland, having the confidence to smile and pose for pictures doesn’t come naturally, and this often boils down to the appearance of their teeth. Small imperfections in teeth can leave people feeling a sense of discomfort about smiling. We here at North Down Dental know how important a confident smile is – that’s why we do what we do. Seeing patients’ confidence be completely restored following their smile makeover treatment is what makes our work so rewarding, giving them the freedom to smile, laugh and pose for photos without hesitation.
Here at North Down Dental, we offer several cosmetic dental treatments designed to enhance the appearance of your teeth including teeth whitening, veneers, white fillings and composite bonding. This guide will focus specifically on composite bonding, explaining how composite bonding works, how it compares to other cosmetic procedures, and the associated costs and benefits.
Composite bonding is a highly popular, non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure, offering a quick, cost-effective solution to aesthetic imperfections. If you need a quick fix for chipped teeth, gaps, discolouration or an uneven smile – composite bonding is the perfect solution.
Composite bonding works by applying a tooth-coloured resin to the target tooth or teeth, and sculpting this resin to the patient’s desired shape before curing it to set it in place. The resin can be colour matched to imitate your other teeth, giving a natural and seamless appearance, though it should be noted that composite bonding cannot be whitened once cured. If a patient would like their teeth whitened, this must be done beforehand and we can then shade match the bonding to your newer, whiter teeth.
Many people choose to go down the route of having composite bonding due to its affordability in comparison to other cosmetic dental treatments such as veneers. With composite bonding, patients can avoid the laboratory costs that are associated with designing custom-made veneers, allowing patients to cut costs while transforming their smile.
Composite bonding is non-invasive and can be completed in one short sitting, meaning dental patients can walk away from their appointment with an instantly enhanced smile, causing minimal disruption to the patient’s daily schedule. As well as that, the treatment is painless, making composite bonding an ideal tooth enhancement treatment option for patients with dental anxiety.
For patients looking for a more natural-looking result from cosmetic dental treatment, composite bonding offers a ‘your teeth but better’ solution as the resin can be shade matched to the natural or whitened teeth, ensuring a seamless finish that enhances your smile whilst still looking completely natural.
Composite bonding doesn’t require any preparation of the natural teeth, leaving them completely untouched. This means your enamel remains intact, the procedure is minimally invasive and any future repairs or adjustments can be done quickly and affordably.
When considering cosmetic dental treatment, many patients deliberate between composite bonding or veneers. While both achieve similar aesthetic results, there are key differences to consider to determine which is the right choice for you.
With good oral care, veneers are typically longer lasting than composite bonding due to being made with a more durable material. Veneers can last between 15-20 years, whereas composite bonding usually lasts between 7-10 years. However, while veneers are typically more durable than composite bonding, chips to the latter are easily fixed whereas veneers cannot be repaired, only replaced.
A big consideration for people considering cosmetic dental treatment are the associated costs. At £275 per tooth here at North Down Dental, composite bonding are a more affordable option than veneers, which are priced at £895 per unit due to their durability and bespoke nature, a key consideration for patients considering cosmetic dental treatment.
While composite bonding leaves the natural tooth undamaged, some preparation of the natural teeth is involved with veneers, making it non-reversible, something dental patients should carefully consider before committing to a long-term change in their smile.
Composite bonding offers an instant uplift to the appearance of your teeth. Where composite bonding can be completed in one sitting, treatment for veneers is normally carried out over two appointments to account for the digital scans needed to create the custom veneers. For those who value the streamlined efficiency of walking out of an appointment with instant results, composite bonding may be the better option.
Ultimately, both treatments come with their own advantages and considerations, so the right choice depends on the patient’s own individual needs, preferences and desired outcome.
Your composite bonding treatment journey at North Down Dental will begin with a consultation. Our expert team will talk through your ambitions for your perfect smile and discuss your treatment plan. How many teeth that will be treated, and the shade of these treated teeth will be decided, and your next appointment will be scheduled. This is also an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with our team, who will provide honest and clear feedback. We will consider your lifestyle, budget and dental history to determine whether composite bonding is the right choice for you.
At your next appointment with North Down Dental, the composite bonding resin will be colour matched and applied to the target tooth or teeth, addressing any imperfections and sculpting your teeth into your desired shape. The treatment itself is non-invasive and relatively quick, approximately two hours depending on the number of teeth being treated. As such, you will walk away with same day results and a renewed confidence in your smile, as well as specific aftercare instructions to ensure you get the longevity out of your treatment.
To get the most of out of your composite bonding treatment, regular maintenance with polishing is needed approximately every 6 months to keep your teeth from becoming dull in appearance, and a night retainer must be worn every night to keep teeth in their ideal shape.
In the initial 48 hours after treatment, patients are advised to avoid food and drink which may stain their teeth, such as coffee or tea, as well as smoking. It is recommended to rinse your mouth out after having food or drinks which may cause stains even after the initial treatment to avoid staining of the composite. Patients are also asked to brush their teeth well and often with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but avoid abrasive toothpastes which may wear away and dull the resin.
Patients should also avoid grinding their teeth and biting hard objects as this may crack or chip the bonded resin. They should equally avoid using their teeth as tools to open objects or packaging to prevent damage to the treated teeth.
Wondering what results you can expect with composite bonding? Take a look at our composite bonding gallery for our patient before and after results such as the one below. With composite bonding you can achieve a natural, subtly enhanced result giving you the confidence to smile openly without insecurity, all whilst being completely undetectable.
If you are still unsure about whether composite bonding is the right choice for you, check out our patient testimonials or get in touch with the team at North Down Dental today by calling 028 9127 1026 or emailing info@northdowndental.co.uk and we will be happy to find the right treatment plan for you.
