Dental Bonding and White Fillings

What to know before Dental Bonding

Tooth Bonding is a process of restoring a tooth to its original shape or making aesthetic changes, such as closing a gap, by applying a white filling material, known as a composite resin, to the tooth structure. The composite resin blends with the surrounding teeth, making it a conservative option for rebuilding your teeth while conserving the remaining tooth structure, as little or no further tooth structure will need to be removed to allow the composite resin to adhere to the enamel and dentine. This bonding process is also the technique for doing composite veneers in the surgery (covering the whole tooth surface).

White fillings have been an alternative form of filling to the traditional silver amalgam fillings since the 1980s and have the ability to seal and bond to the tooth structure. They can be more insulative than silver fillings, as they do not transmit sudden changes in temperature from hot or cold drinks as the older “metal” fillings do. Being tooth colored, they are much more aesthetic and have the added advantage of being mercury-free which is a health concern surrounding the amalgam fillings as amalgams leak mercury vapor over time. All dental procedures performed under local anesthetic, with IV sedation options available.

Depends on surfaces and number of teeth being done at the one time. As it is a direct application, if using for cosmetic veneers they can be done in a single visit. Some patients prefer bonding over porcelain veneers or crowns because the bonding procedure can be shorter.

Patient testimony

To choose a dentist is a difficult thing and to choose Dr King was the best decision I made.

Claudia, 2018

After your treatment and beyond…

Tooth bondings should be brushed and flossed like natural teeth. Good oral hygiene and regular checks are essential. Composite bonding will attract stains over time particularly along the edges and if patients are smokers or have a diet regularly involving coffee, red wine or other colorants. In some patients, the material may need touching up or re-polishing as often as every few months.

Local anesthesia is usually needed and teeth may experience transient sensitivity which can last for several days or a few weeks afterwards. If very large white fillings are planned the tooth may be at risk of the “nerve dying” and root canal treatment being required. This is always assessed and discussed on a case by case basis.

Composite material will need to be repolished regularly. Patients will also find that the material may eventually also develop deeper internal staining and repetition of the procedure at regular intervals (every few years) is needed to maintain your new gleaming smile.

If very large areas are to be done, it may be worth considering porcelain veneers rather than composite bonding for front teeth as this can give more stable long-term results. If very large amalgam fillings are being replaced a dental crown or onlay will create natural beautiful teeth while also providing far more strength than a large replacement white filling.

On average we perform over 100 cases of composite veneers and dental bonding a year.