BeforeAfterInvisalign · Teeth whitening · Composite bonding
Aligner treatment, whitening and edge bonding for crowding
- Appointments
- Aligner reviews, whitening review, single bonding appointment
- Duration
- Staged across the aligner course
Restore
Composite bonding in London
Composite bonding is a treatment in which tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the tooth surface and shaped by hand to alter its shape, edge position, colour or proportions, usually without removing healthy tooth tissue.
At a glance
- Appointment
- 2–3 hours
- Visits
- Consultation, then usually one treatment visit
- Results
- Same day
- Longevity
- Typically 4–8 years with maintenance
- Reversibility
- Usually additive — little or no tooth tissue removed
- Anaesthetic
- Usually none required
Direct composite work starts from £365 per tooth. A full bonding case is quoted per tooth against the number of teeth and the complexity of the design, and confirmed in writing after assessment.
Book a consultationAssessment and diagnosis before any cosmetic treatment
The short answer: Composite bonding
Composite bonding is a treatment in which tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the tooth surface and shaped by hand to alter its shape, edge position, colour or proportions, usually without removing healthy tooth tissue.
Composite bonding is planned and carried out by Dr Vikas Prinja at Apple Dental Studios, 106 Marsh Road, Pinner, with patients travelling from across North West London. If you are weighing up your options locally, the page on seeing a dentist in Pinner sets out how consultations, written plans and fees work here.
Compare your options
Why composite bonding rather than something else?
You are reading
Composite bonding
The option described on this page.
Straighten first
Invisalign
Where tooth position is the underlying problem, alignment is usually considered first so less composite is needed and less healthy tooth is covered.
Colour only
Teeth whitening
Whitening is normally completed before bonding so the composite can be matched to the intended final shade — composite does not lighten later.
Ceramic option
Ceramic veneers
Ceramic may be more appropriate where greater strength, stain resistance or a larger change in shape is required.
Who is suitable for composite bonding?
- Adults with healthy teeth and gums who want to change tooth shape, chips or small gaps
- Patients who want a reversible or minimally invasive option before considering veneers
- Patients whose tooth position has already been corrected, or does not require correction
What problems does composite bonding solve?
- Chipped or worn edges
- Small spaces between teeth
- Uneven tooth shape or proportions
- Localised discolouration
- Peg-shaped or narrow lateral incisors
What happens at the composite bonding assessment?
- Full examination of teeth, gums and bite before any cosmetic work
- Clinical photography and, where indicated, intraoral scanning
- Assessment of tooth wear and its cause — bonding placed onto an unmanaged wear pattern will chip
- Discussion of whether alignment should be corrected first
How does composite bonding work?
- 01
Assessment and planning
Records are taken and a design is planned against your facial and dental proportions.
- 02
Preparation
Teeth are cleaned and isolated. In most cases little or no tooth tissue is removed.
- 03
Layering
Composite is applied in layers, sculpted and cured to build the planned shape.
- 04
Finishing
Contours are refined and the surface is polished so it reflects light like enamel.
- 05
Review
A short review appointment checks the bite, comfort and finish.
What are the benefits?
- Usually additive — healthy tooth tissue is preserved
- Often completed in a single appointment
- Repairable and adjustable
- Generally reversible compared with ceramic veneers
What are the limitations?
- Composite stains and dulls more readily than ceramic
- Not a substitute for correcting significant tooth position
- Limited in cases of heavy bite loading or extensive tooth loss
What are the risks of composite bonding?
- Chipping or debonding, particularly with grinding or nail-biting
- Marginal staining over time
- Gum irritation if home cleaning is not maintained
What are the alternatives to composite bonding?
- Orthodontic alignment first
- Ceramic veneers
- Teeth whitening alone
- No treatment / monitoring
How long does composite bonding last?
Published ranges for direct composite restorations are commonly quoted at around five to seven years before repair or replacement, though this varies considerably with bite, diet, habits and maintenance.
How is composite bonding maintained?
- Routine hygiene appointments
- Polishing as advised to refresh surface lustre
- A night guard where grinding is present
- Avoiding biting hard objects with bonded edges
How much does composite bonding cost in London?
From £365Guide fee
Direct composite work starts from £365 per tooth. A full bonding case is quoted per tooth against the number of teeth and the complexity of the design, and confirmed in writing after assessment.
A written plan with itemised fees is provided after assessment, before any treatment is agreed. See the full fee guide.
Compare options
Which option is right for you?
Explore the dental glossary for plain-language definitions of the clinical terms used here.
Clinical cases
Composite bonding cases
Published only with explicit patient consent.
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfterInvisalign · Teeth whitening · Composite bonding
Aligner treatment, whitening and bonding to close spacing
- Appointments
- Aligner reviews, whitening review, bonding appointment
- Duration
- Staged across the aligner course
Read next
Guides and articles on composite bonding
Written by Dr Vikas Prinja for patients considering or already having this treatment.
Common questions
Composite bonding: common questions
What is composite bonding?
Composite bonding is a treatment in which tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the tooth and sculpted by hand to change its shape, edges, proportions or colour. In most cases it is additive, meaning little or no healthy tooth tissue is removed.
How long does composite bonding last?
Published ranges for direct composite restorations are commonly quoted at around five to seven years before repair or replacement. Longevity depends on the bite, grinding habits, diet, hygiene and how the bonding was planned and finished.
How do I choose between bonding and veneers?
Bonding is usually additive, repairable and reversible, but stains more readily. Veneers are more stain resistant and durable, but require enamel preparation and are irreversible. The right choice depends on tooth position, remaining enamel, bite and how much change is needed.
How much does composite bonding cost in London?
Composite bonding starts from £365 per tooth; layered cosmetic bonding is quoted after assessment because the fee depends on the number of teeth, clinical time and the design required.
Is composite bonding suitable for everyone?
Composite bonding is considered after checking tooth structure, gum health, bite, tooth wear and expectations. Active decay, untreated gum disease or an unmanaged grinding habit may need attention first.
How long does a composite bonding appointment take?
The appointment length depends on the number of teeth and the design. A consultation and plan come first; straightforward single-tooth repairs may be completed more quickly than a multi-tooth smile design.
Does composite bonding hurt?
Composite bonding is usually painless because in most cases no healthy tooth is removed and no anaesthetic is needed. Where a tooth is being repaired after decay or a fracture, local anaesthetic can be used so the appointment stays comfortable.
How do I look after composite bonding?
Clean bonded teeth as you would natural teeth, floss carefully around the margins and see a hygienist regularly. Limiting staining drinks, avoiding biting nails or hard objects and wearing a night guard if you grind all help bonding last longer.
Can composite bonding be removed or repaired?
Yes. Because bonding is usually additive, it can be polished, repaired, added to or removed and the underlying tooth returned close to its original state. That reversibility is one of the main reasons bonding is considered before ceramics.
Author
Written by
Dr Vikas Prinja — The London Dentist
Cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry, London.
Clinically reviewed · Updated
About Dr Vikas PrinjaHow this fits together
Consider alongside
How this treatment relates to the others, and why each relationship exists.
Often considered first
Invisalign
Where tooth position is the underlying problem, alignment is usually considered first so less composite is needed and less healthy tooth is covered.
Often considered first
Teeth whitening
Whitening is normally completed before bonding so the composite can be matched to the intended final shade — composite does not lighten later.
Alternative
Ceramic veneers
Ceramic may be more appropriate where greater strength, stain resistance or a larger change in shape is required.
Restore
Ceramic veneers
A ceramic veneer is a thin, custom-made porcelain facing bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, colour or alignment, usually requiring a small amount of enamel to be prepared.
Straighten
Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that moves teeth using a sequence of removable, custom-made trays planned from a digital scan of your mouth.
Enhance
Teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening uses a regulated peroxide-based gel, prescribed by a dentist, to lighten the natural shade of teeth without removing tooth tissue.
Enhance
Smile makeover
A smile makeover is a planned combination of treatments — which may include alignment, whitening, bonding, ceramics or gum treatment — sequenced to change the appearance of the smile while protecting long-term dental health.
Consultations in LondonBook a consultation
Consultation
Thinking about improving your smile?
Start with a comprehensive assessment and understand your options before deciding on treatment.