What does the composite bonding process involve?
If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look when you smile, there are many options available that can totally transform their appearance. However, many of the most popular solutions involve expensive, invasive and irreversible procedures which can be difficult to commit to. That’s where composite bonding in London comes in.
More affordable than other cosmetic options, cosmetic bonding can enhance your smile without the need for invasive tooth preparations, which means if you ever change your mind, you can easily have your natural teeth restored. So, if you’re lacking confidence in your smile and want to weigh up your options, read on.
What is composite bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is by far one of the most popular forms of restorative dental work around at the moment, and for good reason! It can be used to treat a wide range of common cosmetic issues, as well as help to build up the structure of a damaged tooth, and the best bit is that most people are eligible for it.
Whilst there are other cosmetic procedures that can help to enhance your smile, like veneers or crowns, cosmetic bonding in London doesn’t require any of your natural tooth to be removed, making it much less invasive and affordable.
How does cosmetic bonding work?
One of the major reasons why composite bonding is so popular is that it requires very little preparations to achieve a beautiful looking smile.
With veneers and dental crowns, a small amount of the natural tooth needs to be removed, but with bonding, your dentist will simply roughen the surface of your teeth in order to making bonding easier. From here, a liquid adhesive will be applied to the teeth, followed by a tooth-coloured resin which is then moulded and shaped to the tooth and then bonded using UV light which hardens the resin into place.
Cosmetic bonding allows you to achieve your dream smile, as you can opt to create a straighter, more even and brighter smile this way. It can be used to treat a range of issues, including:
- Discoloured teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Fractured teeth
If you’re looking to create a whiter smile, you can even opt for teeth whitening first before moving onto composite bonding. It’s worth noting that composite bonding cannot be whitened, so if you do want to achieve a whiter smile, this should be carried our first.
How long does composite bonding last?
Once your new smile has been shaped, hardened and polished to perfection, your dentist will check your bite works as it should and you should avoid hard foods for the next 24-48 hours. Following this, you should find that you can eat a full and balanced diet, without fear of your new teeth becoming damaged.
However, composite bonding isn’t as strong as your natural teeth, so there are some things you should do in order to help them last for as long as possible, including:
- Avoiding food or drink that can stain your teeth, such as curry, coffee and tea
- Avoiding very acidic foods and drinks
- Using a straw when consuming tea and coffee to help prevent staining
- Stopping smoking
- Avoiding biting on things like fingernails and pen lids
- Seeing your dentist and hygienist at least twice a year
Your dentist will also be able to provide advice on how to get the most out of your composite bonding, but as a rule they can last anywhere from 3 up to 10 years or more with the right care.
Are you looking to enhance your smile?
If you lack confidence when you smile, it can have a big impact on your everyday life. Whether it’s avoiding photographs or feeling ashamed to smile when with loved ones, many of the common cosmetic issues that cause people to feel this way can be solved with composite bonding in London.
Particularly great if you’re a nervous patient, this minimally invasive treatment is fast, and can be completed in one sitting and can then go on to last for many years. So, if you want a smile you can feel proud to show off, why not get in touch with The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry to find out more about cosmetic bonding in London?
