What Composite Bonding Can Address
Bonding is generally considered for smaller concerns — a chipped or cracked edge, a small gap between teeth, an uneven edge, or a minor change to a tooth's shape. It's usually carried out on the teeth that show when you smile.
How Bonding Differs from Porcelain Veneers
Composite bonding material is applied and shaped by hand directly onto the tooth at the appointment, rather than being made in a laboratory like a porcelain veneer. Bonding is often described as more conservative of the natural tooth than a veneer, though how much, if any, preparation is needed still depends on the individual case. See Porcelain Veneers for that alternative.
Assessment and Planning
Your dentist would examine the tooth or teeth involved and discuss what you'd like to change, to work out whether bonding — rather than a veneer or another option — is likely to achieve it.
What to Expect in General Terms
Composite bonding can sometimes be completed in a single visit, though this depends on how much work is involved and isn't something promised as standard here. Some tooth preparation may still be needed depending on the case, and once composite material has been added and shaped, the change is not necessarily considered something that can simply be undone.
Considerations and Limitations
Composite material can pick up staining over time and may chip more easily than porcelain, sometimes needing repair or replacement. Like other restorations, composite bonding doesn't lighten in the same way as natural teeth, so whitening carried out afterwards won't change its colour. Outcomes vary between individuals.
Looking After Composite Bonding
Regular cleaning and check-ups, along with being mindful of biting hard objects and staining foods or drinks, generally help composite bonding last longer. Specific advice would be part of your own treatment.
Related Treatments
For a longer-lasting, laboratory-made alternative, see Porcelain Veneers. To plan bonding alongside other changes, see Smile Design.
General information only — every treatment decision follows an individual clinical assessment.