In today’s world, having an attractive smile is equally important as one’s dress and the car one drives. This is because your smile is the first thing people notice about you. Unfortunately, people who have flawed smiles due to stained, chipped, or crooked teeth are often perceived as unattractive and less friendly. If you also have cosmetic tooth defects affecting your facial aesthetics and smile, there are several options available in cosmetic dentistry to fix these issues. Among these options, cosmetic dental bonding is one of the simplest and most cost-effective restorative and cosmetic treatment options. 

If your dentist has suggested cosmetic bonding to eliminate your facial flaws and you’re unsure about this treatment option, this article is for you. This blog explains everything you need to know about composite bonding to make an informed decision regarding your cosmetic dental treatment. 

What Is Tooth Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding is a procedure in which your dentist will restore the structure, function, and aesthetics of broken, chipped, or stained teeth using tooth-coloured filling material. Composite restorations are also called bonded restorations as they are directly bonded to the prepared natural teeth. According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic bonding can also be used as an alternative to more costly cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers and crowns. 

Is Composite Bonding A Good Option For My Teeth?

Composite restorations, or resin-based fillings, are absolutely safe for use in the oral cavity and carry minimal risk of adverse effects or allergies. Besides, bonded restorations possess excellent aesthetics; teeth restored with composite fillings blend in perfectly and become virtually indistinguishable from the natural ones. Therefore, composite bonding is one of the best options for restoring structurally damaged or cosmetically flawed teeth. 

Can Dental Bonding Be Added To The Back Of Front Teeth?

Composite restorations are bonded directly to the natural tooth structure. As a result, they do not require significant tooth removal for their attachment. Their ability to be bonded to the tooth structure also allows them to place on any tooth surface, whether on the front, back, or sides. In fact, composite fillings can also be bonded to the back surfaces of the front teeth. Today, composite restorations are sufficiently strong and durable. Hence, they can also be used to restore back teeth, which receive heavy biting forces. 

Will Composite Fillings Fully Close The Gap And Be Able To Floss?

The ideal treatment option for closing teeth gaps, also called diastemas, is orthodontic treatment with braces. This is because orthodontic treatment will physically move the teeth to close the gaps. However, if one cannot afford orthodontic treatment or is not willing to wait for a few months or years for their teeth gaps to be closed, composite bonding may also be used to fix this issue. However, composite fillings are only suitable for cosmetically closing minor teeth gaps. It must also be kept in mind that bonding offers only a cosmetic solution, and it does not fix the underlying problem. However, the good news is that once your teeth gaps have been corrected with bonding, you will be able to floss normally. 

Can I Bite Burgers And Pizzas From My Front Bonded Tooth?

A few years ago, dentists would advise their patients to avoid biting directly on hard foods with their front teeth if they had composite filings. But today, modern composite restorations are amazing; they offer excellent aesthetics and are pretty strong and durable. Therefore, there is no harm in biting on burgers, pizzas, or other fast foods items with your bonded front teeth. However, you must still be cautious while biting on very hard foods like nuts, as they may fracture the restoration. 

How Long Will Front Teeth Bonding Last?

Contemporary bonded restorations are much stronger and more durable than they were a few decades ago. According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, bonded restorations can last for up to 4 years before they need to be repaired or replaced. Your composite fillings can last even longer if you maintain optimal oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for checkups. 

What Are The Advantage Of Composite Fillings?

Composite restorations offer various advantages, such as:

• Less Costly – composite restorations are less expensive than other cosmetic options like veneers, lumineers, and crowns. 

• Tooth Conservation – unlike silver amalgam fillings, composite restorations do not require extensive removal of healthy tooth structure 

• Aesthetics – being tooth-coloured, the shade and colour of the bonded restorations can be matched precisely with the neighbouring teeth, thereby offering natural aesthetics. 

• Repairability – minor defects in composite restorations are repairable.

Do Composite Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?

Composite veneers are thin shells of composite resins that are prepared in the laboratory and then bonded to the front surfaces of the front teeth. Although composite veneers require the removal of a thin layer of the outer enamel, they don’t damage our teeth.  Instead, they can significantly improve the aesthetics and strength of our teeth. So, no; composite veneers do not damage or ruin our teeth. 

Can Bonded Teeth Be Whitened?

Bonded teeth have the same aesthetics as natural ones. However, one of the drawbacks of bonded restorations is that they get stained pretty easily. And unfortunately, stains on bonded restorations cannot be removed through professional whitening, as in the case of natural teeth. So if your composite restorations get stained, your dentist will have to repair them or replace them with fresh ones. 

Finding an experienced and qualified cosmetic dentist who can transform your smile is truly a blessing. If you are looking for a cosmetic and family dentistry practice in Ballsbridge local parts of Dublin, look no more! Pembroke Dental is there to take care of all your dental needs. So, what are you waiting for? Book a free consultation appointment today and begin your journey towards your dream smile.