Is Composite Bonding Painful?

Getting the smile of your dreams can seem challenging. You may worry about the potential cost of cosmetic procedures, the treatment duration and recovery time, and whether getting your new smile will be painful. 

These are all valid considerations. If you’re unhappy with your smile, you may feel conflicted between living with the appearance of your teeth and getting a cosmetic dental procedure. 

Composite bonding is a versatile treatment that fixes several cosmetic issues. It’s a simple and effective treatment, giving you a quick, cost-effective smile. But is composite bonding painful?

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need about composite bonding so you know what to expect from your procedure. 

What Is Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding is a simple procedure that uses resin to rebuild your smile. The procedure is the perfect marriage of science and art, leaving you with a beautiful smile in the most efficient way. 

Some dental practices call this treatment “cosmetic bonding”. Regardless of the name, the process is always the same. 

What Can Composite Bonding Treat?

We use composite bonding for fixing several issues. It can: 

• Repair cracks and chips in your teeth
• Improve the size and shape of misshapen or small teeth
• Close small gaps in your smile
• Enhance the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth

Is Composite Bonding Painful?

No. Composite bonding is a simple procedure that doesn’t require us to use any tools which could cause discomfort. 

In fact, composite bonding is so pain-free; you usually won’t even need an anaesthetic before treatment. 

How Long Does the Composite Bonding Procedure Take?

The exact treatment length varies depending on how many teeth we’re fixing and the extent of the repair. We can improve the appearance of a single tooth in around 30-60 minutes.

Many patients get a smile they love after a single appointment. 

What Happens During the Composite Bonding Procedure? 

Before your procedure, we’ll assess your smile and discuss what you’d like us to fix to ensure composite bonding is right for you. We’ll then plan the treatment. 

The composite bonding process is simple. We start by applying the malleable composite resin directly to the areas of your teeth you’d like us to improve. Next, we’ll skillfully craft the resin until it blends seamlessly with your smile providing a natural appearance. 

Once we’re happy with how your teeth look, we’ll use a special light to harden the resin. Finally, we’ll smooth out any rough edges on your teeth. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover After Composite Bonding?

Because there’s no anaesthetic, you won’t have to wait for it to wear off before resuming your normal activities. With no pain or discomfort from the procedure itself, there’s no downtime either. 

The only thing you’ll need to consider following your treatment is the bonded areas may need time to settle in. We’d recommend avoiding eating anything that requires much chewing for the first day after treatment. 

How Much Does Composite Bonding Cost?

The exact cost of your treatment varies depending on how many teeth you’re fixing and the extent of the repairs. 

We can give you a full breakdown of the costs and discuss finance options at your consultation. 

How Long Will Composite Bonding Last?

It’s important to remember that composite resin isn’t as durable as your natural enamel. This means you must remember to take care of it. With the proper care and attention, you can expect your composite bonding to last for around seven years. After this time, we can repair or replace any worn or damaged composite resin. 

How Do I Care for My Bonded Teeth?

To ensure your smile lasts longer, caring for your bonded teeth is essential. Brush your teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. While brushing, ensure every surface of each tooth is thoroughly cleaned. You can also floss and use mouthwash to give your smile a comprehensive clean. 

Because the resin isn’t as strong as enamel, you should avoid biting into anything solid. Don’t bite your nails or pen lids or chew ice, as activities like this could cause the resin to break away from your teeth.  

What Are the Benefits of Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding is:

• Versatile – We can use it to fix several aesthetic issues and restore your smile
• Quick – Many people get composite bonding on their lunch break and return to work that day
• Painless – There are no needles or drills, just a simple procedure
• Cost-effective – Composite bonding costs less than most other cosmetic procedures
• Protects your teeth – Fixing damaged teeth using composite resin stops bacteria from entering and causing infections 

What Other Treatments Can Enhance Composite Bonding?

While we can use composite bonding to give you a mini smile makeover, we often use it alongside other types of treatment to create a completely new look. Combining Invisalign and Enlighten teeth whitening gives you the smile you’ve always wanted. 

Invisalign is a clear aligner system that straightens teeth. It’s discreet, comfortable, and requires no major lifestyle changes. Using this removable aligner, we can treat mild orthodontic problems in as few as six months. 

Enlighten is an at-home teeth whitening treatment that gives you a naturally bright smile in around two weeks. When combining Enlighten teeth whitening treatment with composite bonding, we’ll match the colour of the composite resin with the shade of your new whiter teeth.

What Are the Alternatives to Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding is popular because it’s quick, straightforward, and cost-effective. If you’re looking for a treatment that looks even better and lasts longer, dental veneers are for you.

Dental veneers are fine porcelain shells that coat the fronts and sides of your teeth. Once in place, they give your teeth a completely new look. The porcelain also acts as an extra layer of protection from bacteria. 

Composite Bonding In Surrey

At Love Teeth, we’ve redesigned lots of beautiful smiles using composite bonding. This simple, painless procedure is brief, versatile, and effective. 

Contact us today and schedule your consultation at our clinics in Cheam, Chessington, Stonecot, Worcester Park, or Sutton.