Composite Bonding

We have performed the composite bonding on your teeth which are worn to recreate the original contours and aesthetics of the natural tooth.

You will need time to relearn the proprioception and spatial awareness of the rebuilt teeth during this phase to avoid breaking the restorations and teeth. This period can take one week, or up to 4 weeks in some people.

It is important to note that especially if you have been identified as a bruxer, someone who heavily clenches and grinds their teeth at night, it is imperative you adhere to the instructions regarding chewing and biting, and also have your custom-made splint or night-guard fitted as soon as possible to prevent damage to your new rebuilt restorations.

Below are the instructions which you need to adhere post-treatment:

General instructions

■ Please avoid chewing any hard foods around the treated tooth to avoid chipping or dislodging the composite material or fracturing the tooth.

■ We would recommend to practise mindful eating, biting into your foods slowly during this adaptation phase.

■ Incising and tearing motion of tough foods is to be avoided with the bonded teeth (eg baguette or bagel).

■ Some people take time to adapt their speech, to adapt, you can practise speaking more slowly during this period.

■ You may notice some increase in saliva production but this is usually transitory and only lasts a few days. 

■ If your tooth is mid-treatment, whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth that has been treated until you have a final filling placed. Until that time, it is prone to fracture.

■ Once in use and during the settling in phase, you may feel the built-up restoration, and feeling the filled tooth hitting before the other teeth. This may occasionally  cause a tooth to be rather temperature-sensitive and sore. We will be happy to see you again in a few days for further fine-tuning to make your bite more comfortable and harmonious.

■ Avoid eating or drinking anything hot for a week after the treatment.

Maintenance

■ Provision of a Splint/mouth guard to be worn at night to prevent further damage to the teeth (Recommended at the end of restorative treatment).

■ We recommend you to come for regular exam and cleaning, to maintain the shade of teeth and composites. We recommend Diamond GBT or Diamond Clean.

■ Even with the best care, stains and chipping can occur around the margins of the bondings. This is from stains and acids in the foods that we consume. 

■ Maintenance of margins of composite fills after completion - this is recommended annually or at least once every two years to minimise major repairs

■ Take care to brush carefully around the margins, but avoid high pressure strokes on the restored tooth to minimise wear.

■ Whitening - generally we would advise whitening be done prior to the bonding or build ups, but please discuss with clinician how to plan any additional whitening in conjunction with your treatment.

■ All dental treatment will need to be replaced, and as a guide teeth with fillings will usually eventually need to be replaced in 4-7 years; veneers, crowns in 8-10 years. They can last a long time with proper care; practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings.