Composite bonding is recommended by dentists across the UK due to its non-invasive, cost-effective means of enhancing your smile. However, it isn’t permanent.
Most patients in Liverpool find that their bonding lasts 5-7 years, but the good news is that it can be replaced indefinitely as long as your natural teeth are still healthy.
Why composite bonding sometimes needs replacement
Even with excellent care, composite bonding can stain, chip or become worn over time, and will typically need replacement after 5-7 years. As composite bonding is a purely cosmetic treatment, replacing your composites does not mean that your teeth themselves have been damaged. It simply means that the composite resin has come to the end of its lifespan. For many patients, it’s just another dental appointment.
Replacement composite bonding is often a simpler procedure than the initial application of the composite resins, and usually the underlying tooth structure is untouched.
When we replace your composite bonding, we’ll gently remove any remaining resin without damaging the enamel underneath. The new bonding can often improve the colour and shape of your teeth, and your natural tooth will remain unharmed.
Is there a limit to how many times composite bonding can be replaced?
There is no real ‘limit’ on how many times composite bonding can be replaced. However, before you have it replaced your dentist will need to consider the health of your tooth. If your enamel and tooth structure are healthy, composite bonding should be able to be replaced multiple times.
Before you have replacement bonding, our dental team will examine:
- If there is any decay or cracks in your tooth
- Your general oral and dental health
- Whether you grind your teeth
- Whether there is enough enamel on your tooth
- How thick your current bonding still is
Although composite bonding does not last forever, if you look after your teeth properly it can generally last for several years before needing to be replaced. It’s also possible to replace your bonding to improve your tooth’s appearance, rather than because it’s failed.
Each time dentists replace your composite veneers, they will aim to preserve as much enamel as possible. If there is not enough tooth enamel, it can limit the options for repairing or replacing your composite bonding, and affect any future cosmetic work.
Benefits of replacement composite bonding
Some patients we see here in Liverpool worry that having their composite bonding replaced or retouched could damage their teeth. However, compared with other cosmetic procedures, composite bonding is a conservative technique which does not harm tooth enamel.
Our team at Pall Mall will always prioritise the preservation of your natural enamel and the overall health of your teeth. Therefore, we use modern, gentle techniques to remove your old composite without harming the enamel.
The benefits of choosing to replace your composite bonding include:
- Little or no alteration to your natural tooth enamel
- No need for drilling in most cases
- Composite bonding can be reversed
- Your natural tooth strength is preserved
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How to make your composite bonding last longer
Look after your oral hygiene
Good overall oral health will both reduce the need for frequent replacements to your composite bonding, and ensure you have enough enamel to replace your composite bonding on future visits.
Wear a night guard to stop tooth grinding
Patients who grind their teeth are more likely to wear their enamel down quickly than those who do not. Therefore, we recommend wearing a night guard to prevent damage to your teeth while you are asleep. If necessary, you can also wear one during the day.
Visit the dentist regularly
If you schedule regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments, our expert team can spot any issues and help you to address them quickly. They will also be able to alert you to any wear or chipping to your composite bonding.
Avoid staining your teeth
Some food and drink can stain your composite bonding, especially beetroot, turmeric, red wine and some berries. Over time, drinking fizzy drinks can also erode the composite resins. You can address this by making changes to your diet, or only consuming very staining foods in moderation.
If you smoke, the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also stain your composites. Besides all the other health benefits, giving up will help your composite bonding last longer.
Can I have my composite bonding repaired, not replaced?
Sometimes, composite bonding might only need to be given minor repairs rather than replaced altogether. In this case, we can repair small chips or cracks by adding more resin to your composite veneers. This is a less invasive and more cost-effective procedure than replacing your composite bonding in full.
Situations where repair may be better than replacement include:
- Small chips on the edge of your tooth
- Minor staining
- Slight shape or alignment adjustments
- Limited wear and tear
Small repairs can even help prolong the life of your composite bonding, and delay the need for full replacement by years.
When replacement is no longer advisable
At Pall Mall Dental, patient wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do, and we will always place your health first. Therefore, in some very rare cases, we may not recommend having your composite bonding replaced. If this is the case, we will advise you on a suitable alternative.
These situations include:
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Significant enamel loss
Losing large amounts of enamel will affect future bonding options, as well as putting your tooth at risk of decay. Therefore, if you have lost a large amount of enamel we will often recommend against having a composite bonding restoration.
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Cracks affecting the structure of your tooth
While composite bonding is highly effective for minor chips and cracks, if you have a major crack in your tooth it will probably need to be treated with a filling or another procedure, especially if it becomes infected.
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Severe decay
Unfortunately, as composite bonding is a purely cosmetic procedure it cannot be used to treat decay. In this case, you may need a filling or crown.
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Severe bite issues
Composite bonding can be used to treat minor gaps between your teeth. However, if you have developed bite issues since your composites were placed, you may need to consider Invisalign, which we offer, or another orthodontic treatment.
Composite bonding replacement in Liverpool
Does your composite bonding need a full replacement or a little retouching? At Pall Mall Dental, we offer composite bonding with long-term tooth preservation in mind. When you book an appointment, we’ll give you a fully costed plan with no hidden charges, as well as specialist advice on how to take care of your teeth and make your restoration last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost to have composite bonding replaced?
Costs will vary based on your individual needs and the complexity of the treatment. Get in touch with our Liverpool dental team to find out more.
Does composite bonding damage your teeth?
Composite bonding should not damage your teeth as it is designed to be minimally invasive and does not require taking enamel off your teeth or changing their underlying structure, unlike other treatments such as veneers. However, if you do not have enough enamel on your teeth for your bonding to be replaced, we may recommend an alternative.
Why does smoking affect composite bonding?
Smoking affects composite bonding because the chemicals in cigarette smoke can stain your composites, just like natural teeth. As a result, we recommend giving up before you have any composite resins applied to your teeth.
Who should not have composite bonding?
While anyone can have composite bonding, we do not recommend it in cases where your chipped or cracked tooth has suffered severe decay, as it is a purely cosmetic treatment.
Can I have tooth whitening treatment at the same time?
If you are planning teeth whitening treatment, we recommend that this occurs before you have your composite bonding applied as composite veneers cannot be whitened. It will also give you the opportunity to choose a brighter tooth shade.