The composites themselves are done in one appointment. We will always book a consultation appointment first. Most people will have a review appointment after to ensure they are completely happy.

The great majority of all cases are completed pain-free and without the need for local anaesthetic.

In most cases composite is applied with no drilling to the natural tooth. For cases that require tooth adjustment, you will be advised beforehand in the consultation appointment.

As with most cosmetic dental procedures they will eventually need replacing. Typically we see good results of 5-10 years for composite bonding, dependent upon care.

There is no minimum recommendation for this. In order to gain optimal aesthetic results most individuals require composite bonding on approximately 8-10 teeth for the most uniform and symmetrical smile.

Composite bonding is a single session treatment option which is great to correct smaller imperfections, chips, cracks and minor spacing between the teeth.

Veneers on the other hand are lab made ultra thin sheets of ceramic material which are shaped to fit onto the teeth. They usually require some removal of natural tooth structure to create enough space for the veneer to attach to the tooth. They are normally recommended for larger imperfections of the teeth and as they are lab made, are more costly than composite bonding.

We would recommend straightening before bonding. Slight minor misalignment can be masked with composite bonding. However, it is always advisable to straighten with braces or invisalign first to achieve the best results.

The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned and then prepared with a gel that roughens the surface microscopically. The putty like composite resin material is then applied using special instruments and brushes to sculpt to the desired shape, often in several layers. Using a special light, the material is then hardened. Further layers can then be added accordingly. The procedure is then completed with smoothing of the tooth surface and polishing.