How Long Does Composite Bonding Last?

How Long Does Composite Bonding Last?

How long your composite bonding lasts can depend on a few things. From the way you naturally chew and bite, to the quality of the materials used – there is plenty to think about when it comes to optimising how long your composite bonding will last.

This is also one of the first questions many of our composite bonding patients ask us about. In comparison to alternative procedures such as veneers, composite bonding may not last quite as long. However, with the right care and follow-up treatments, your cosmetic bonding can last up to eight years!

Here is our guide to composite bonding, how long it lasts, and how you can maximise the outcome for your own smile transformation!

What Affects the Longevity of Bonding?

There are quite a few factors that impact the longevity of cosmetic bonding. To help maintain your new smile, it’s important that you understand the various things that can impact it.

• Location of the teeth. Certain areas in the mouth are more prone to experiencing wear and tear, due to the way we bite and exert pressure throughout the day.

• Quality of materials used. A high-quality, professional grade composite resin should be used for all bonding treatments. However, some cosmetic surgeries may not adhere to the same standards as others. If you can, ask others who have had their composite bonding done by the same place how long theirs has lasted.

• Skills and experience. The level of experience your cosmetic dentist has can have an impact on how well your cosmetic bonding treatment goes. Be sure to look at before and after images of the treatment by your chosen dentist for reassurance.

• Patient aftercare. The longevity of your cosmetic bonding can depend on how well you look after your teeth and follow aftercare instructions following the treatment.

How to Make Your Composite Bonding Last Longer

Your dentist should be able to talk you through a few of the ways you can help maintain your composite bonding results.

• Attending follow-up appointments. It is recommended that you attend all follow-up appointments, with the same dentist if possible, following your treatment. If you do notice anything that suggests your bonding may need a check-up, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dentist! Leaving the issue longer is only likely to cause further damage.
  
• Maintain your oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash can help prevent plaque, which can impact your composite bonding as well as your overall dental health.
  
• Avoid bad habits. Many of us have habits such as using our teeth to open things, or biting our nails – but it’s exactly these types of habits you should avoid if you have composite bonding done. While it is designed to be durable, the composite resin used for bonding is actually weaker than our teeth. So if you think your teeth wouldn’t be able to withstand it, your composite bonding likely won’t.
  
• Consider a mouthguard. Bruxism (tooth grinding) is a common complaint, and can be exacerbated by stress or certain medications. If you do grind your teeth at night or even tend to clench your jaw in the day, it’s worth asking your dentist whether a protective mouthguard would help. Wearing these overnight can protect your bonding from undue wear and tear if worn consistently.
  
• Avoid foods and drinks that stain. To avoid early discolouration, it’s important to try and avoid certain foods and drinks that may yellow or stain the teeth. Things such as coffee, red wine, tea and even berries can contain staining compounds that can reduce the brightness of your composite bonding. This can leave your teeth looking dull and yellowed, which is best to avoid as it is very difficult to whiten the composite resin.

Signs of Wear and Time to Replace

With time, there can be signs that show your composite bonding may be in need of a replacement. Luckily, composite bonding is relatively easy to remove and replace. This involves an initial consultation with your dental professional, where they will carefully assess how the existing composite has held up and where any damage has occurred. You will then either be booked in for removal and replacement, or this may happen within the same appointment.

Your cosmetic dentist will use specialised tools to skilfully remove the old composite material from the tooth, using a mixture of non-invasive techniques including air abrasion. With composite bonding, it’s very rare that you will have had any filing to the natural teeth underneath the bonding – so you will then have a blank slate to restart the bonding process on.

Signs to look for include:

• Detached material. This rarely happens following professional application, but bonding material becoming detached from the tooth is a sure sign that your teeth need checking up on.
• Fractures or chips. Over time, composite bonding can crack or even chip just like our natural teeth can. This does compromise the structural integrity of the bonding, so it’s always best to have this checked out.
• Wear and tear. The longer it lasts, the more your composite bonding will thin and flatten. This is natural and caused by gradual wear and tear due to biting and chewing.
• Discolouration. As with natural teeth, the composite resin material used for bonding can eventually stain and take on a discoloured appearance.

Bear in mind that composite bonding is only designed to last anywhere from three to eight years, and will eventually need replacing to ensure your teeth remain looking at their best.

Composite Bonding with Ringway Dental

If you are interested in our affordable cosmetic dental treatments, get in touch with us at Ringway Dental. You can also call our team on 0161 437 2029 for further information.

Book in for an in-person consultation where our cosmetic dental experts will work with you to help identify the best treatment to help you meet your goals. In our luxurious Cheadle surgery, our warm and welcoming team offer composite bonding from just £280.00 per tooth. We can’t wait to uplift your smile!

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