Does composite bonding damage your teeth?

Quick answer

Does composite bonding ruin your natural teeth?

No, when it is planned and placed well. Composite bonding usually needs little or no enamel removed: the tooth surface is lightly roughened so the resin can stick, then the material is shaped on top.

That makes it one of the most conservative cosmetic treatments. At York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet, bonding starts from £200 per tooth.

What you need to know

Because the natural tooth is largely preserved, bonding can usually be polished, repaired or removed later. Some very thin enamel may be lost when it is eventually removed, so it is not completely reversible in every case, but it is far less invasive than veneers or crowns.

Problems tend to come from poor planning rather than the material: bonding placed on crowded teeth, over-bulky edges that trap plaque, or bonding on teeth that grind heavily. We check your bite and gum health first, and may suggest straightening or whitening before bonding.

Bonding does stain and chip more than porcelain, and needs polishing at hygiene visits. See how long bonding lasts, bonding vs veneers and composite bonding in West Byfleet.

Next stepComposite bonding in West Byfleet

Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist