What is Composite Bonding or Composite Veneers?

• It is the addition of tooth coloured to a to either repair fractures or change the shape and colour of a tooth or mask any cosmetic blemishes.
• Simple and effective non-invasive cosmetic treatment which can be used to enhance the shape, colour and size of your teeth.
• Composite Bonding can also be used to repair chips, tooth wear or close gaps.
• When covering the entire front surface of a tooth it is called a Composite Veneer.
• At BEC we carefully sculpt tooth coloured composite resin which we bond to the teeth, providing a natural looking, seamless result.
• We achieve this through advanced techniques including precise layering, adding texture and translucency to closely mimic natural teeth. This helps to prevent bonding looking fake or bulky. This can all be done without removing any tooth enamel.

Benefits

• More cost effective compared with Porcelain Veneers.
• No need for drilling or local anaesthetic, preserving precious enamel.
• Unlike porcelain veneers, which require multiple visits and laboratory work, composite veneers can often be completed in a single visit.
• When performed by a properly trained clinician, composite veneers can appear completely natural and virtually undetectable.

Disadvantages

• Not as durable as porcelain and are more prone to chipping and staining.
• Therefore may require more maintenance such as polishing or repairs.
• Composite bonding is a highly technique-sensitive procedure that relies heavily on a Dentist’s experience, artistic ability, and training. Choosing an experienced clinician who can show you examples of results in similar cases to your own is essential to achieving a natural, aesthetically pleasing result. Without the appropriate level of care and skill, composite veneers may appear bulky or fail to blend harmoniously with the individual’s natural teeth and simply look fake.

How long does Composite Bonding last for and how much maintenance is required?

• Composite Bonding, if well maintained, can usually last up to seven years.
• Maintenance is usually straight forward. Having a good oral health regime, regular check ups and visits to the oral health therapist will protect and prolong the lifespan.
• Some patients may require a night guard in order to protect them from tooth grinding and clenching habits.

Treatment Procedure

Bespoke consultation

• At BEC we firmly believe each smile is unique and deserves an individual approach. Each smile is thoughtfully designed around the individual, with a strong focus on understanding you, your goals and what matters the most to you.
• By considering proportions, facial features, and gum and lip contours, we aim to create a balanced, natural looking result that blends seamlessly and maintains facial harmony.
• A series of photos and 3D digital scans will be taken to assess these factors and we will work together to create a unique smile and compile a customised treatment plan to achieve your desired outcome.
• If possible, at this initial appointment a ‘mock up’ can be done on your teeth to show you how your new smile could look. This would involve placing composite onto the teeth without bonding them.

Bonding appointment

• At the bonding appointment the teeth are isolated to prevent contamination of the enamel surface to enable maximum adhesion for the bond applied to the teeth. Composite resin is then adapted onto the teeth and carefully sculpted and shaped before light curing.
• A series of meticulous polishing and finishing steps are then completed. Texture and translucency are carefully added to the teeth to create natural light reflection and lustre. This helps the bonding to appear more lifelike and natural giving it individual character, rather than a flat or generic appearance.

Review appointment

• A review appointment is usually booked after you have had time to show your friends and loved ones your new confident smile to ensure you are absolutely delighted with the final result or make any minor adjustments you would like, and any final polishing is performed.