Bonding

Smile makeovers that change lives

At elleven Dental Wellness, our smile makeovers start at the consultation where we find out what patients don’t like about their teeth and what type of smile is required.

A thorough check up is required BEFORE any cosmetic work is undertaken. Any necessary restorations, hygiene and gum disease needs to be addressed.

Computer aided smile design is then used to design the smile and to fine tune the required tooth shapes, size and colour to fit with the patients smile, face, age and gender.

So, what is bonding? Composite bonding is the application of tooth coloured composite resin material using adhesives and a high intensity curing light, mainly to enhance the appearance of the anterior teeth. We anticipate 2-3 appointments for the bonding process.

Composite bonding is suitable for use on the following conditions;

To repair chipped or worn teeth
To improve the appearance of discoloured teeth
To enhance the shape of teeth
To make teeth longer
To close spaces between teeth
Post orthodontic treatment to enhance the smile further
Post periodontal treatment – to mask black triangles between teeth caused by gum recession
Cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
To protect the portion of the tooth root that has been exposed when the gums are receded

In most cases very minimal to no preparation of tooth structure is needed. Anaesthesia often is not necessary. Unlike veneers which are manufactured in the laboratory, bondings are generally done in a single visit at the surgery.

In certain cases where multiple teeth needed bonding we anticipate 2-3 appointments for the bonding process. First a “waxup” is made which will demonstrate the proposed final aesthetic outcome and once both dentist and patient are happy the teeth will be bonded. A few days after the dentist will review the teeth and finally polish them to make sure the transition between bonding and tooth is smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for my bonded teeth?

The composite resin used is nearly as strong as your natural teeth.
Hopefully your restorations will last for several years, but this really does depend on how well you look after them.
Any type of dental work requires very good oral hygiene to get the best out of it. Biting your fingernails, pens and into very hard and sticky foods can chip bondings.

Do I need bondings?

At elleven Dental Wellness, we shall arrange for a consultation with you to determine what dental problems can be solved with bondings.
Your cosmetic dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth that may involve x-rays and an evaluation of your teeth and gums. During your consultation, your dentist will discuss if you are a candidate for the cosmetic problems that bonding can resolve, such as decayed teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, gaps, tooth discolouration, “short teeth,” and more. If you have teeth that are extensively damaged your dentist may recommend other restorative or cosmetic procedures that maybe better tailored to meet your long-term goals.