No is the simple answer, composite bonding is non-invasive and pain free, often with no-needles.
Your teeth won’t need to be drilled or shaved down to leave little stumps or peg like teeth, which keeps treatment time and cost to a minimum.
We will discuss your desired outcome at your initial consultation. If composite edge bonding is the right path for you then we will choose a colour that matches your natural teeth for a more natural looking and subtle finish.
Because composite veneers cover the whole tooth, you can choose to brighten your smile if you wish.
Both treatments can be undertaken alongside whitening to lighten your teeth so an overall improvement can be made to the appearance of your smile
Composite bonding can be removed, but we recommend it is done by a highly experienced clinician to ensure the underlying tooth is not damaged through the procedure.
As long as you follow some basic dental hygiene rules after treatment, and are careful with hard foods, your composite bonding should last, on average, between 5 and 7 years. We usually recommend a nightguard after treatment to protect your teeth from night-time grinding.
This is less than porcelain veneers (10-15 years), however the upfront cost is less and you won’t have suffered any damage or loss to your natural teeth should you decide you wish to go remove your composite in the future.
Yes! In fact we recommend an electric brush and daily interdental cleaning to optimise the lifespan of your Composites. We will provide bespoke education to your individual needs after treatment.
Yes, along with brushing regularly, you should floss with floss or an interdental brush at least once a day.
We want your new smile to last as long as possible, so we advise against chewing or biting extremely hard foods such as ice or boiled sweets.
Tea, coffee, red wine and cigarettes can also stain your new teeth, so we recommend cutting back or cutting them out if possible. They should be avoided completely for at least 7 days after treatment.
Also take care not to chew on things like pen lids and if you’re prone to grinding your teeth then your Dentist may recommend a mouth guard or retainer to help protect your teeth.
In some cases, porcelain veneers may be the more suitable option for you, however there are some noticeable differences between treatments.
While porcelain veneers typically do last longer (between 10 and 15 years if cared for properly) they are significantly more expensive than composite bonding and you will need to spend more time in the dentist’s chair undergoing treatment.
Porcelain veneers and crowns are also more invasive treatments that will require some preparation of tooth, meaning they aren’t reversible should you wish to go back to your natural smile in the future.
Composite can be repaired more easily than porcelain due to the very brittle nature of the material so sometimes composite offers advantages in terms of wear and tear.
Your Dentist will discuss the pros and cons of the options available to you to help you.