Composite bonding, also called composite resin bonding or teeth bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that aims to restore the teeth easily and quickly by using a resin that has the same color as the teeth. Composite bonding is less invasive compared to veneers or crowns and a majority of the patients are eligible for it. Composite bonding is applied to both treat damaged teeth and to give the teeth an aesthetically pleasant appearance.
Composite bonding is performed to enhance the smile. It does so by correcting the shape and color, filling the gaps, and concealing the chips and gaps. Composite bonding can also be utilized to fill cavities and protect teeth roots that are exposed. Composite bonding creates natural looking results while being a minimally invasive process, and is also cheaper compared to other cosmetic dental procedures.
Composite bonding is accessible to many patients and is recommended to patients who:
Composite bonding is susceptible staining and while commonly consuming wine, tea or coffee does not disqualify a patient from having composite bonding, those drinks as well as smoking can make the composite bonding last up to one fourth of its expected lifespan.
The patient’s health history is taken, and it, along with additional information that may be requested, is examined to create a treatment plan for the patient. After the patient arrives in Turkey a thorough dental examination is made. Then the shade of resin closest to the natural color of the teeth is chosen by the patient and the dentist.
Composite bonding often doesn’t require any kind of sedation, but some type of local sedation might be applied if necessary. The teeth are then prepared by the dentist by making their surface rougher and applying a composite liquid, which will allow the resin to bond with the surface of the teeth. Then the resin material is applied and molded into its desired shape. The teeth are subjected to a dental curing light, which hardens and sets the resin. The process ends with the dentist polishing the teeth, giving it a natural appearance.
The procedure, on average, takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth and requires readjustments every 3 to 10 years.
Effects of composite bonding are visible right after it’s performed. There is also no recovery period for composite bonding but some sensitivity to temperature changes might occur for a couple days. Best way to take care of the teeth after composite bonding is by keeping good oral hygiene, brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing the teeth daily. Also drinking wine, coffee, and tea should be limited while smoking should be avoided altogether to avoid staining. A mouthguard is recommended if the patient grinds their teeth while asleep. Habits such as biting the nails or any non-food material, such as pen lids, should be avoided as well. Composite bonding, while having many benefits, is not as durable as veneers or crowns and such habits can cause the composite bonding to deteriorate faster.
Composite bonding doesn’t have any major risks associated with it, but it's weaker than veneers and crowns. As a result it is more prone to chipping and breaking and is also more susceptible to stains compared to porcelain crowns.