Composite bonding can help you transform your smile, almost magically. Dr. Kirk Petersen, DMD, who runs Hemet West Dental Office in Hemet, California, talks here about how it all works, and why this method can be chosen over veneers if financial considerations come into play.
Composite bonding is the placement of a resin/glass dental material onto the facial portion of the tooth to improve the color and the shape and the size of the teeth. It is similar to the porcelain veneers but it is less expensive and can be done in one visit.
The downside of composite bonding is that it doesn’t last as well or as long as actual veneers, plus it is more prone to fracture. Also, it can discolor over the years.
Financial Considerations
People choose composite bonding as the cosmetic dentistry technique of choice usually due to financial considerations, and also because of time. If you were to have porcelain veneers, for example, compared to composite bonding, it would take two weeks between visits.
Saying that, the colors that composite bonding come in and the ability to make it life-like has gotten much better over the years. It still not as life-like as the porcelain because the lab person has two weeks or so to work on it, versus maybe a couple of hours that we have chair side.
How It Works
Tooth bonding is done chair side and is applied directly on to the teeth, then usually left to harden with the special light. The benefits are that usually a skilled dentist can make a bond which matches the color of your teeth well, and in most cases, no anesthetic is required.
It is advised, however, to be careful if you choose this route, simply because many people these days call themselves “cosmetic dentists” when they are not. If you want to get a beautiful smile with composite bonding, make sure you visit a dentist who is well-trained in the area before you take this route.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
