The process
Home / Treatments / Composite bonding
Cosmetic dentistry · One visit
Composite bonding
Composite bonding adds tooth-coloured resin to a tooth to repair chips, close small gaps and improve shape. It suits teeth that are healthy and broadly straight. Most cases are completed in a single visit, usually without drilling or injections, because the material is added to the tooth and nothing is taken away. Composite bonded veneers are from £495 per tooth.
Guide fee
From £495 per tooth
Visits
Usually one
Drilling
Usually none
With
Dr Amit Patel
Who it is for
What composite bonding suits, and what it does not
Chipped or worn edges
A chipped corner or a worn biting edge can be rebuilt in composite matched to the shade of your tooth. Done carefully, the join between the two should be very hard to see.
Small gaps and uneven shapes
Bonding can widen a narrow tooth, close a small gap or even out teeth of different lengths. A little material added in the right place often changes the look of the whole smile.
Not heavily crowded teeth
Bonding over crowded teeth makes them bulky and harder to clean. If yours overlap, we will recommend aligning them first. Less composite is then needed, and it sits in a more protected position.
Not heavy grinding, unprotected
Composite is not as hard-wearing as porcelain. If you clench or grind, it is more likely to chip. Bonding may still be suitable, but a night guard will be part of the plan.
The difference
What changes the result
Edge bonding or a full composite veneer
Edge bonding adds composite only where it is needed: a chip, a corner, a worn edge. A composite veneer covers the whole front surface to change shape and colour together. We use the smaller option wherever it will do.
Additive, so usually no drilling
The composite is bonded onto your enamel with nothing cut away. For most additive cases that means no drilling and no injections. Where decay or an old filling is involved, some preparation may be needed.
Whitening first
Composite does not whiten. If you would like lighter teeth, we whiten first, allow the shade to settle for a couple of weeks and then match the bonding to your new colour.
Layered and polished by hand
Composite is built up in layers of differing shade and translucency, then shaped and polished by hand. The detail in the finish is what makes it look like tooth, and a smooth surface picks up less stain.
01
Assess and plan
We check your teeth, gums and bite and confirm that bonding is the right choice. For larger cases we may design the result digitally first, so you can see the shapes before we start.
02
Match and prepare
We match the shade of the composite to your own teeth. The enamel surface is cleaned and conditioned so the material bonds securely. In most cases no anaesthetic is needed.
03
Build and shape
The composite is applied in thin layers and set with a curing light. Each tooth is sculpted freehand or with a guide made from your design, and you can check the shape in a mirror as we go.
04
Polish and check
The surfaces are refined and polished to a natural lustre. Your bite is checked carefully so that no single edge takes too much force. You leave with the finished result.
Afterwards
Aftercare
Composite can pick up stain from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking, and it can chip. Avoid biting nails, pens and very hard foods with bonded teeth. An occasional polish keeps the surface smooth and bright. Chips can usually be repaired without starting again. Wear your night guard if we have advised one.
Guide fees
Composite bonded veneer, per toothfrom £495
Signature cosmetic fillingsfrom £495
Home whitening, if whitening first£795
Soft night guard£395
Guide fees. You receive a written plan with exact costs before treatment starts. See all fees
Common questions
Questions, answered
How much does composite bonding cost?+
Composite bonded veneers are from £495 per tooth, and signature cosmetic fillings are from £495. The total depends on how many teeth are treated and how much each one needs. You receive a written plan with the exact fee before we start.
Does composite bonding hurt?+
Usually not. Additive bonding is placed on the surface of the tooth, so in most cases there is no drilling and no injection. If decay or an old filling needs removing, we numb the tooth first.
How long does composite bonding take?+
Most cases are completed in a single visit. The time needed depends on the number of teeth, and we tell you how long to allow when we plan your treatment.
How long does composite bonding last?+
It can be expected to last several years, with polishing and the occasional repair along the way. Composite can chip, wear and stain over time. Your bite and your habits make the biggest difference to how long it lasts.
Is composite bonding reversible?+
Often, yes. Where composite has been added without removing any tooth, it can usually be polished away to leave the enamel beneath. That does not apply if the tooth needed preparation first.
Can I whiten my teeth after composite bonding?+
Your natural teeth will lighten but the composite will not, so the two may no longer match. Whiten first, then have the bonding matched to the new shade.
Is composite bonding or a porcelain veneer the better choice?+
Bonding costs less, usually leaves the tooth intact and can be done in one visit, but it stains and chips more readily. Porcelain holds its colour and usually lasts longer, at a higher fee and with some enamel removed. We explain which suits your teeth.
Related treatments