Everything You Need to Know About Cosmetic Bonding

Want the look of gorgeous teeth without the high price tag?

Hmm. Sounds too good to be true. 

Luckily, it isn’t. 

Cosmetic bonding is a cost effective way to get whiter, straighter and more beautiful smile. Qualified dentists recommend cosmetic bonding as a way to improve the appearance of your teeth, without the need for invasive or lengthy treatments.

In this post we’ll show you why cosmetic bonding is a great option for cosmetic dental enhancement and answer all your pressing questions. 

Let’s get started. 

 

What’s cosmetic bonding?

Also known as dental bonding, tooth bonding or composite bonding, cosmetic bonding involves affixing a tooth coloured type of resin to teeth. The resin bonds to the surface of the tooth and blends in with the enamel. 

It’s commonly used for fixing gaps, chipped teeth and discoloured or disguising stained enamel. It can restore teeth to their original glory or enhance them to look straighter, whiter or more uniform.  

Compared with veneers or teeth whitening, relatively few people know the ins and outs of cosmetic bonding. Over the last few years it’s been gaining popularity as a cheaper solution for getting that award winning grin. 

 

Why cosmetic bonding?

Firstly and perhaps most importantly (especially if you’re on a budget), cosmetic bonding is one of the cheaper methods to getting gorgeous teeth. 

While custom veneers and teeth straightening can set you back potentially thousands, bonding is much more budget friendly. See ‘how much does cosmetic bonding cost?’. 

It’s also a relatively easy and straightforward procedure. Which means it typically doesn’t require anaesthetic. It can often be completed in just one visit to your dentist and is non invasive. 

Cosmetic bonding is a great way to enhance the look of your teeth without damaging them. It is quick, simple and affordable. No wonder so many people are trying it out. 

 

How much does cosmetic bonding cost?

The cost for cosmetic bonding varies. But if you’re looking for a reputable provider, expect to pay in the region of £150 per tooth. It is generally not available on the NHS if used for cosmetic purposes.

Here at Victoria Road, we offer expert cosmetic bonding at a price of £140 per tooth. Get a FREE smile consultation from one of our experienced practitioners by calling 01895 636 121.

 

You should only get cosmetic bonding from a qualified dental professional. This is for the health and wellbeing of your teeth and gums. 

 

How long does cosmetic bonding last?

Bonding is not forever. That being said, it can last from around three years up to 10 years, providing teeth are properly cared for and bonding was done by a trained professional. 

Regular visits with your dentist will let you know when it’s time for your bonding to be replaced or touched up.

 

Can you remove cosmetic bonding?

If you aren’t happy with the finished result, cosmetic bonding can be removed by a trained dentist. Do not try to do it yourself.

 

How is cosmetic bonding done?

During your consultation, your dentist will choose a resin that matches your existing tooth colour. This ensures the bonding looks natural. 

During the treatment, the dentist will lightly roughen the surface of the tooth or teeth to be bonded. They’ll use a conditioning gel to do this. This helps prepare the tooth for the resin to bond to the surface.

Next, they’ll carefully apply the resin, which is then hardened with an ultraviolet (UV) light. Afterwards, the dentist will shape and polish the resin to achieve the finished result. 

Occasionally, anaesthetic may be used if there is decay or existing restoration work on the tooth. But, generally it is not needed.

 

Cosmetic bonding for gaps

Celebs like model Georgia Jagger, OITNB actress Uzo Aduba and pop idol Madonna definitely rock the gapped teeth look. But, for some of us, we’d prefer to close up those visible gaps. 

Whether it’s a gap between your front teeth or further back in the mouth, dental bonding can help. Your dentist will carefully apply and sculpt the resin to camouflage the gap, leaving you with a gap free smile. 

 

Cosmetic bonding for crooked teeth

Not all of us are born with perfectly straight teeth. That’s why many of us end up with those charming metal train track braces as awkward teenagers. 

As an adult, you can’t get braces on the NHS. So, if you’re desperate for straighter teeth you can end up stuck going down the expensive route of self funding braces. 

Cosmetic bonding is an affordable alternative to braces, helping fix the appearance of crooked teeth and evening out your smile. Not only is it cheaper, but it also gives you results instantly, unlike braces which take months or even years to achieve straighter results. 

 

Cosmetic bonding for small teeth

If you have ‘small teeth’ that look stunted or like baby teeth, speak to your dentist about whether cosmetic bonding is the right treatment for you. Some dentists will recommend gum therapy (removing excess gum tissue) to reveal more of your tooth structure. 

Cosmetic bonding can certainly help address small teeth by adding length to make teeth look more symmetrical. To find out more about cosmetic bonding to length teeth, talk to your dentist. 

 

Cosmetic bonding for front teeth

Unhappy with the look of your front teeth? These are your most prominent teeth, your incisors. It’s natural that you’d want to focus on these for any cosmetic dental treatment. Cosmetic bonding can enhance the look of your front teeth, whether by removing gaps, covering cracks or making them look straighter.

 

Cosmetic bonding for discoloured teeth

Tooth whitening can’t tackle every type of stain. Those deeply intrinsic stains are much harder to shift. That’s where cosmetic bonding can help, concealing discoloured teeth to give patients a brighter, whiter smile that still looks natural. 

 

Cosmetic bonding for chipped teeth

Teeth that are chipped or cracked are prime candidates for tooth bonding. Your dentist can quickly and easily fix chips or cracks with natural coloured resin, restoring your smile. Not only that, but it can also strengthen tooth structure. 

Cosmetic bonding versus other cosmetic dental treatments

There are a variety of different cosmetic dental treatments you can choose from. We’ve created this handy table to help you decide whether cosmetic bonding is right for you. 

Of course, you should always consult with your dentist, as they will know best. 

 

Treatment	Cosmetic bonding	Invisalign®️	Teeth whitening	Crowns	Veneers
Cost (approx.)	£150 (per tooth)	£1,500 – £4,000	£300	£300 – £700	£500 – £1,000
Time (until finished result)	One visit	6 months – 2 years	One visit	Two visits	Two visits
Fixes	Chips, cracks, gaps, discolouration, crooked teeth	Crooked teeth, gaps, overcrowding, misalignment	Discolouration	Cracks, discolouration, dental implants/bridges	Chips, cracks, discolouration, misalignment, gaps

For an expert cosmetic dentist in Ruislip, choose Victoria Road Dental Clinic. Our practitioners are friendly, skilled and experienced in all forms of cosmetic dentistry. Book your free smile consultation today. Call 01895 636 121.