FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
This is determined by where the composite is placed on the tooth.
Edge bonding is placed on the edge and sides of the tooth to fill in spaces and lengthen/straighten the edges of teeth.
Composite veneers cover the front aspect of the teeth which masks the entire surface of the front of the tooth. This is a better option for people who would like bigger changes to the overall shapes and colour of their teeth, or for teeth which have cracks and poor surface texture which would be best covered to create a better cosmetic result.
If the spaces are not too large and a symmetrical outcome can be achieved with composite bonding then yes this can be done.
However, if the spaces are too large then orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign (see invisalign page) may be recommended to align the teeth into a better position before composite can be applied.
On average, composite bonding lasts 3-5 years or longer if looked after well. This is subject to the patient attending for regular maintenance and polishing appointments.
Composite is weaker than porcelain veneers and therefore is more prone to chipping and staining and will need to be replaced sooner.
Many people get composite bonding as a blue print for porcelain veneers in the future.
Composite veneers can be used to lighten the shade of your teeth as they cover the entire front surface of your teeth. This is a good option for patients that have internal staining of their teeth or surface anomalies such as cracks which would like to be covered.
Composite edge bonding is matched to your tooth shade, therefore if you would like a brighter end result I would recommend professional tooth whitening to lighten your teeth beforehand.
Composite bonding is a purely additive procedure in which we can add length and volume to your teeth to create the desired aesthetic result. For this to be the case, the teeth need to be relatively straight and have a good occlusion (how your teeth bite together). If this is the case, then no drilling or removal of tooth structure is required.
If your teeth are not well aligned, then orthodontic treatment (invisalign) would be recommended to move your teeth into a better position prior to composite bonding.
Composite is minimally invasive, meaning that no damage/drilling is carried out to your teeth. However, it is not fully reversible as the composite is glued onto the teeth with bond so if the composite was removed in the future the exact surface texture you had before on your teeth would not be able to be replaced like for like. It is however the most minimally invasive option in dentistry to produce a cosmetic change.