Composite Bonding in San Francisco

Composite bonding is a quick, temporary alternative for veneers. While veneers require a lot of time and several appointments, we can do composite bonding in a single visit.

During composite bonding, we add a highly esthetic, medical-grade type of plastic resin to your teeth to improve their appearance. The resin is hand sculpted to create a beautiful and personalized smile design.

Like porcelain veneers, composite bonding can completely enhance the appearance of a smile. It is less durable than porcelain; therefore, it will not last as long as porcelain veneers.

Cosmetic Uses of Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is quite similar in theory to the application of porcelain veneers.

If you have slightly crooked teeth, we will add composite resin in strategic places around your smile to hide misalignments and make your smile straighter.

We can also use composite bonding to disguise stains, offering you a whiter and brighter smile.

Composite bonding is an excellent option for patients who want to improve their smile quickly at a lower cost than porcelain veneers. Many patients who have composite veneers will change their veneers to porcelain veneers in 5-8 years. Bonding can transform your smile.

Functional Uses of Composite Bonding

If you have chipped teeth, we can use composite bonding to repair them and help protect your teeth from further damage. Keep in mind that all repairs using composite bonding (whether functional or cosmetic) are for patients with minor issues and flaws.

We may recommend implants or orthodontic work for more severe functional or cosmetic issues. This doesn’t mean you can never receive composite bonding. It just means there may be some necessary foundational steps to get you the results you want and deserve.

What to Expect at Your Composite Bonding Appointment

Composite bonding is an in-and-out dental procedure done in a single visit. Before bonding, we may recommend a whitening procedure first to help you achieve the best aesthetic results possible.

In general, composite bonding appointments require little to no anesthesia or numbing agents because the procedure is non-invasive and pain-free. However, if you have a tooth chipped near your nerve, we might offer a numbing agent to help increase your comfort.

We start the procedure by choosing a composite resin color that matches the shade of your natural teeth or desired shade.

Then, we start the prep work. We’ll create a rough surface on your teeth and apply a bonding agent, making it easier for the composite resin to stick.

Next, we add the composite resin to the treatment areas and mold and sculpt it according to your treatment goals.

Composite bonding can be used to restore the shape and look of one or a few damaged teeth, or it can be used to completely redesign and brighten a smile.

Finally, the resin is hardened with UV light. Once the resin is set, we can fine tune the shapes and polish them to a beautiful shine.

Composite Bonding vs. Veneers

While composite bonding and veneers help you achieve similar results, they are quite different in their overall application and long-term esthetics. Composite bonding treatment is less durable than porcelain veneers. Therefore, they are more fragile and very hard foods should be avoided if you have composite bonding.

Time Investment and Results

Composite bonding can be done in one visit, while the veneers process requires two to three additional appointments.

Composite bonding also offers immediate results, while veneers take a few weeks to prepare. Results can last anywhere from five to eight years, while porcelain veneers last from 10 to 20 years.

Invasiveness and Permanency

Composite bonding is non-invasive, requiring no drilling or permanent damage to your natural teeth.

On the other hand, veneers are irreversible. They require some amount of tooth roughening or drilling to fit the way they’re supposed to.

Price

Porcelain veneers are roughly double the price of composite bonding.

Durability

Composite bonding won’t break or chip easily, but it is not nearly as resistant to damage or discoloration as porcelain veneers.

Is Composite Bonding Right for You?

Composite bonding might be a good option for you if you would like to get porcelain veneers in the future. Think of them as a temporary stepping stone to permanent veneers.

Composite Bonding with Dr. Soto

The best way to determine whether you’re a candidate for either composite bonding or veneers is to complete a virtual consultation and note that you are interested in composite veneers.

Based on your treatment goals and current preferences, we can evaluate whether composite bonding is an appropriate first step for you or whether it would be better for you to get porcelain veneers.