How long does cosmetic bonding last?

15 March 2022

Cosmetic bonding is one of the most popular and effective treatments for patients looking to improve the appearance of their smile. This treatment is effective in fixing cosmetic issues, broken teeth, staining, and many more imperfections. Within our post, we will answer a variety of queries around cosmetic bonding including:

• What is tooth bonding
• Who would benefit from tooth bonding?
• Is cosmetic bonding bad for your teeth?
• Does cosmetic bonding fall off?
• How long does cosmetic bonding last?
• How to look after your cosmetic bonding & make it last longer
• Cosmetic bonding alternatives
• The differences between cosmetic bonding & veneers

What is tooth bonding?

The tooth bonding procedure is where your dentist will take a composite, resin material, and apply it to your tooth to add volume. This will be to shape your tooth, alter the size, appearance, or colour. This composite resin is a putty-like material, which will bond onto your teeth before hardening. To prepare for the bonding material, your dentist will prep your tooth to ensure a good base for your bonding to adhere to. This prep will be the drilling of your tooth and the application of a conditioning liquid. Finally, the dentist will shine a dental curing light across your tooth before smoothing and polishing the final product.

Who would benefit from tooth bonding?

You will likely benefit from tooth bonding if you:

• Have one or more damaged teeth (chipped or fractured)
• You are wanting to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth
• Are insecure or unhappy with your tooth/teeth shape
• Are unhappy with any gaps in your teeth

Is cosmetic bonding bad for teeth?

A common concern surrounding cosmetic bonding is whether it is harmful to your teeth. Check out our full blog to find out whether cosmetic bonding is bad for your teeth.

Does cosmetic bonding fall off?

Another popular patient question is whether their cosmetic bonding will fall off their teeth. Unfortunately, the resin material isn’t as strong as something like porcelain veneers and can be susceptible to breakage, becoming loose, or falling out. Also, patients may have had bonding to cover breakage or chipping of their natural tooth, meaning the tooth structure underneath the bonding can be weak and susceptible to infection. Therefore, if your cosmetic bonding was to fall off or deteriorate – it is important to get it repaired quickly at your practitioners.

How long does cosmetic bonding last?

Your cosmetic bonding’s longevity will depend greatly on your own oral health and whether you damage your bonding by chipping or breaking it. Generally, your bonding materials will last anywhere between 3-10 years but as mentioned, this will depend on your own dental hygiene. The good thing is that the resin can be cared for similarly to normal tooth enamel.

How to make your Dental Bonding last longer?

There are a few ways you can ensure your dental bonding lasts longer following your initial procedure. Follow these guidelines below and ensure your bonding stays looking its best for as long as possible:

1. Practice good oral hygiene. Ensure you’re flossing and brushing your teeth every day using good quality toothpaste
2. Ensure regular check-ups with your dentist as usual to spot any unnoticed issues.
3. Be careful with hard foods. Hard foods like popcorn and sweets can damage your cosmetic bonding by chipping or breaking it.
4. Avoid foods and drinks that will stain your composite bonding over time. The bonding material stains faster than normal tooth enamel- so steer clear to avoid mismatched teeth.

Alternatives to dental bonding

There are a few alternatives to dental bonding when considering the procedure. One alternative is that of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are stronger than composite bonding and can last upwards of 20 years after the procedure. However, unlike dental bonding, veneers require irreversible altering of the natural tooth structure – which can be a turn-off for many potential patients.

What is the difference between veneers and cosmetic bonding?

There are further differences to consider when deciding between veneers and cosmetic bonding. Check out our blog focused on the differences between veneers and cosmetic bonding to make a more informed decision.