Dental Bonding in Ashburton

A conservative option

Bonding is often the quiet answer to a cosmetic concern people assume needs veneers. Composite resin is applied directly to the tooth, shaped by hand, and hardened with a light — no laboratory, no temporaries, no permanent alteration of the tooth underneath.

It doesn’t last as long as porcelain and can stain over years, but it’s a fraction of the cost, reversible, and can be repaired or replaced easily.

What’s involved

Bonding or veneers?

Bonding: one visit, usually no enamel removed, lower cost. It can stain or chip over the years, but it’s easy to repair.

Porcelain veneers: made in a lab, more stain-resistant and longer lasting, but they need some enamel removed and cost more.

Planning to whiten? Do it first. Composite doesn’t whiten, so we match the bonding to your new shade. For very small edge issues, contouring alone may be enough.

Bonding, contouring or veneers?

These three are often confused. The simple difference is what happens to the tooth.

• Bonding adds tooth-coloured material to build up or reshape a tooth.
• Contouring removes a very small amount of enamel to smooth an edge. Nothing is added.
• Veneers cover the whole front surface of the tooth.

Some smiles need a mix, such as contouring one tooth and bonding the next.

Your bonding appointment, step by step

• The shade is chosen at the start, while your teeth are still moist. Teeth look lighter when they dry out.
• The surface is gently prepared with a mild gel so the composite can grip.
• Composite is placed in layers and shaped by hand.
• Each layer is set hard with a light.
• The tooth is trimmed, polished and checked against your bite.

One tooth often takes under an hour. Several teeth can usually be done in the same visit.

When bonding may not suit

• Heavy grinding, or a bite where the front teeth meet edge to edge. The composite may chip. A night splint can help.
• A large part of the tooth is missing. A crown may be stronger.
• Decay or gum disease. This is treated first.
• You want a large change in colour. Whitening or veneers may suit better.

More questions about dental bonding

Can bonding cover a stained or marked tooth?

It can often hide small marks or white spots on the front of a tooth. A whole tooth that has turned dark may need checking first, because it can be a sign the nerve has been damaged. Your dentist will look at the cause before suggesting bonding.

Can bonding be used on back teeth?

Back teeth take heavy chewing forces, so the work there is usually a tooth-coloured filling rather than cosmetic bonding. The material is similar. See our dental fillings page if a back tooth is chipped or decayed.

Will it look natural next to my other teeth?

The shade and shape are matched to the teeth beside it, and the surface is polished. Over the years it can lose some shine or pick up stain. A polish at your regular clean can often freshen it up.