Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic Composite Bonding – 

Composite Bonding is the addition of tooth coloured material to the edges of the teeth to improve their appearance, shape and function.

This can be in the form of simple white tooth coloured composite resin fillings or onlay/veneer of the same material.

The choice of treatment is determined by the aims:

1. To correct simple tooth defects only in improving aesthetics, usually after brace treatments
2. To correct significant tooth defects and loss of tooth structure to improve aesthetics

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Composite onlay/veneer:

This is an alternative to porcelain/ceramic onlays and veneers. They still perform the same function that of treating a damaged or decayed tooth and are considered stronger and more appealing that a normal white tooth coloured filling.

It is easy to become confused between white tooth coloured (composite ) fillings and composite onlays, so here is some information  to help you distinguish between the two.

Composite white tooth coloured filling:

This type of filling is similar to your standard type of filling usually used to treat decayed teeth, correct damaged parts of the tooth shape due to wear when teeth are not straight, or to correct the shape of the teeth due to trauma.

This is completed in one visit at the dental surgery; the filling is inserted into your tooth during a single visit. This immediate form of treatment is ideal for people with overall healthy mouths and with a small amount of decay or structural damage to their teeth, and ideal for cosmetic treatments after braces.

These match the tooth’s natural colour and are also a cosmetic preference.

Composite Onlay:

This type of filling is a treatment as is requires digital scanning, planning and designing before a guide is printed to guide the build-up of this material onto the tooth surface.

It is used to treat a large cavity or damaged tooth structure or shape. The material is composite resin which is white or, more accurately, tooth-coloured in appearance, and it enables a match to the rest of the teeth. The material is a good choice for people with tooth decay which is too advanced for a filling but not serious enough for a crown, and in cases where the tooth has significantly chipped or broken.

The composite is an acceptable choice of material for an onlay, for people who tend to grind their teeth or have malocclusion (misaligned jaw which causes problem with their bite).

Advantages of composite onlays:

A major advantage is their natural looking appearance and they provide a watertight seal between the tooth and the filling, which prevents the risk of bacteria entering that gap and causing an infection. Poor oral hygiene can however lead to leaking of this filling and cause decay.

They do not cause any friction with neighbouring teeth and are easy to polish and generally care for.

They can restore the natural appearance of teeth that have been damaged from wear, thus improve aesthetics. They can be used to restore function by replacing lost tooth volume.

Disadvantages of composite onlays:

The composite material is not as tough as the porcelain or ceramic materials, which means that they are likely to fracture. They will need maintenance in the form of polishing periodically as well as replacement once they become worn over time.

They also tend to stain from dietary foods and drinks or smoking, which can occur after a few years.

How are these fitted?

There are two ways of fitting these onlays: direct and indirect

Direct are built up in the mouth using the digitally printed stent. First any decay is removed; the tooth is smoothed and prepared to add material to it.

Indirect require preparation (removal of decay and careful tooth reshaping to create space for the onlay material), digital scanning, designing and then printing. The printed material is then polished before cementing it in the mouth. This is usually a single, longer visit procedure, although it can be performed in two sessions; if this is the case a temporary onlay will be placed to protect the tooth while you are away from the surgery.

Your treatment options:

The first option will be this type of onlay treatment; the aims of the treatment are:

1. To achieve better function by restoring lost tooth volume (this will need to be applied to all lower teeth) and stabilize your bite.
2. To aesthetically improve the appearance of the teeth

This treatment can be classed as a smile makeover case as it will significantly improve the appearance of your smile.

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The second option will include the simple composite filling, which will only cover the decayed or damaged part of the tooth.

This is ideal where a small part of the tooth is damaged and the rest of the teeth are healthy or stable and no smile improvements are required.

Whitening can be combined with both types of treatment to achieve an even brighter, whiter, more aesthetic result.

For more personalized information, call us on 02086179180/ 07923972956 and book a consultation.

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