Composite Bonding

Composite bonding­—sometimes called dental bonding or tooth bonding—is quite versatile and can enhance a lot of smiles with ease. It is most appropriate in situations where satisfactory corrections can be achieved with just addition of material. Some situations in which composite bonding can deliver outstanding results include:

• Correcting chipped or fractured teeth
• Restoring cracks in teeth
• Closing gaps or spaces in teeth
• Lengthening teeth to equilibrate your smile
• Changing the shape of the teeth to harmonise the smile
• Camouflaging tooth discolouration, sometimes in combination with teethwhitening
• Masking spots on teeth
• Treating tooth wear

From crafty placement of a very small amount of filling material to covering the entire tooth surface with a thin wafer of composite—referred to as ‘composite veneers’, this treatment has a plethora of applications. Here are the reasons for the high acceptance of composite bonding among our patients at Genix:

• No removal of natural tooth structure since composite bonding is almost always accomplished without trimming your teeth
• No need for painful injections in the vast majority of cases making this a pain-free process
• Quick, single-visit application
• Affordable with excellent outcomes
• Easy to clean with no special maintenance required

Most of you may have seen a blue-coloured hand-held light dentists use when they fill your teeth. That light represents the revolutionary advancements have allowed dentists to reliably deliver extraordinary, long-lasting results using minimally-invasive techniques. Dentistry has come a long way from the days of silver fillings, and the difference can be summed up in one word: ‘bonding’! Thanks to the pioneering work being carried out to improve the adhesion of composite resin materials to the tooth surface—now more than 65 years into development—your Genix Aesthetic Expert can shape and dependably bond composite resin on your teeth.

In a lot of ways, the bonding process works like Velcro® (except in a much more steadfast way!). Just as the Velcro® sticks together because of entanglement of tiny hooks and loops, microscopic composite tags flow into the irregularities and roughness on the tooth surface. This secure attachment means that the material stays on the tooth surface without coming off.

The process of composite bonding begins with conditioning the tooth surface to roughen it. A number of small layers of composite resin material are the applied, and expertly moulded to achieve the perfect tooth shape. The composite resin material is precisely shade-matched with your natural teeth, and has a putty-like consistency. The blue light allows the material to harden—a process called ‘curing’—and set instantly. A series of polishing steps are then undertaken to give it smooth gloss and shine to match the texture of your natural tooth.

When planned carefully, composite bonding can be completed very quickly, requiring just a single appointment for placement. The process begins with a consultation to understand the treatment, to explore its suitability and to answer your queries. Your Genix Aesthetic Expert will also carefully consider if the teeth undergoing this treatment and their gums are healthy. This will always require an examination, but may also include photographs, x-rays and models of your teeth. An impression or an optical scan make quick work of this, and are usually included as a part of the treatment.

It is often possible to temporarily bond some composite to your teeth in a ‘mock-up’ to give you an idea of what your smile will look like after the procedure: call it a ‘test-drive’ if you will! If you don’t like what you see, all it takes is just flicking the material off your teeth, and you are back to where you were.

Once you approve the results, your Genix Aesthetic Expert can proceed with the definitive composite bonding.

The workflow has the following steps:

Appointment 1
Thorough check-up and answering your queries

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Photographs, x-rays and optical impressions

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Creating the architectural blueprint of the most harmonious tooth shape, shade and size to deliver the perfect smile

Appointment 2
Discussing the planned outcome

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‘Test-drive’ mock-up on your teeth if necessary

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Finalising the shape, shade and design of the teeth to start the definitive transformation

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Reconfirming the shade, isolating the teeth and preparing them with a conditioning liquid

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Layer-by-layer sculpting and curing of composite to reach the planned shape

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Polishing your new smile to a squeaky shine, and that’s it!

Minor adjustments may be necessary on the same day or later to adjust the bite.

Some of our Genix Aesthetic Experts offer bespoke transformations using advanced technologies like SmileFast® that allow you to get composite bonding in multiple teeth in a fraction of the time it takes to deliver these results conventionally. You can discuss these options during your check-up.

•  It is helpful to avoid consuming highly coloured foods and beverages 48 hours after your procedure to ensure the stability of shade by avoiding staining.
• Composite is inherently prone to staining, but your composite bonding needs no special care. Your Genix Aesthetic Expert will have polished your bonding to a super-smooth finish to prevent stains from accumulating. You can definitely do your bit though by maintaining good oral hygiene: that means regular brushing and interdental cleaning.
• Using purpose-built tools to clip fingernails, chip ice or open bottles instead of your front teeth — with or without veneers — is always a good idea!

• Composite bonding is not necessarily synonymous with dental veneers. Dental veneers are usually made of porcelain—although they can be made of composite as well. Porcelain veneers usually last longer and are more colour-stable.
• Composite bonding and veneers can need touch-ups and buffing every now and again, and may need replacement after a few years of service—depending on how gentle you have been with them.
• If you grind your teeth, you may need to protect your composite bonding with a night guard. Please follow the instructions given by your Genix Aesthetic Expert to ensure longevity of your new smile.

Your Genix Practice will often have Open Days that let you explore the details of how this composite bonding works at no expense, so please be on a lookout! It would be a pleasure for your Genix Treatment Coordinator to take you on your smile transformation with composite bonding.