Is Composite Bonding Permanent?

27 / 06 / 2025

Is Composite Bonding Permanent?

Composite bonding has soared in popularity for its fast results and speedy treatment time. An enduring solution for chipped, discoloured misshapen and crooked teeth, it provides a less invasive alternative to getting veneers for the same aesthetic concerns.

One of the questions we are asked most often is “Is composite bonding permanent”? We’ll explore this, and the following questions, in the blog:

• How long does composite bonding last?
• What is composite edge bonding?
• Is there any discomfort related to composite bonding?
• Can composite bonding close gaps in my teeth
• How to make sure composite bonding lasts for as long as possible

Is composite bonding permanent?

Composite resin will not permanently adhere to your tooth, as the material will begin to degrade and become porous overtime. The main reason why patients need to have their composite resins replaced are:

• Wear and tear: slow discolouration of the resins and weakening of the porous resin overtime.
• Eating habits: biting on hard foods with your front teeth can risk damaging the composite resins. This is also true of biting on ice. Acidic foods can cause the composite resin to become increasingly see-through, which can be a cosmetic concern for some patients.
• Quality of the dental work: the bonding techniques used by the dentist in question can significantly influence how long your bonding lasts for. Some dentists have more of an understanding of the nuances that make up a patient’s smile anatomy and can take a more refined approach to polishing and shaping the tooth.
• Oral hygiene habits: teeth that have undergone composite bonding can still be affected by tooth decay. For this reason, it’s important that you continue to brush and floss as normal after composite bonding. If you sustain decay, it’s possible that your dentist will need to remove the composite bonded portion of your teeth to reach the decayed matter.

How long does composite bonding last for?

You can expect composite bonding to last in the region of 3-9 years. As we mentioned in the “Is composite bonding permanent?’” section above, there are factors that determine how long the resins will remain in good aesthetic and functional condition.

Composite bonding costs on average £250-450 in the UK, whilst a veneer ranges between £350-1500.

At Denpure, our costs are well below the UK average, from just £150 per tooth for composite bonding. This is a genuinely good deal, and we believe in keeping our prices reasonable, to make cosmetic solutions accessible to as many people as we can.

If you’d like to see an example of a composite bonding case study (an example carried out by our dentists), you can take a look here. 

Can composite bonding close gaps in my teeth?

Composite bonding is a great solution for small gaps of 1-3 mm maximum. Whilst it can’t realign your teeth in the same way that braces or Invisalign can, it can create the illusion of straighter and more symmetrical teeth, as the small gaps are closed.

Closing small gaps with composite edge bonding (whereby the composite resin is bonded to the edges of teeth to alter their shape) takes as little as 1 hour.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution than composite bonding for closing gaps in your teeth, you might want to consider Invisalign – which is also more suitable for larger gaps. It can take as little as 6 months to rectify gaps in your teeth with Invisalign.

How to make sure composite bonding lasts for as long as possible

There are plenty of ways you can help increase the lifespan of your newly composite bonded tooth. These include:

• Limiting coffee, tea and red wine: drinks (and food) containing tannins can very easily stain dental composite. Limit these drinks if you can, or sip and swill water to remove their reside from your mouth. This will stop them from prematurely discolouring your tooth (and indeed all of your teeth).
• Chew with consideration: if you have had your front teeth bonded, try to chew on tougher foods like steak with your molars and premolars to avoid any potential damage to the front teeth treated with composite resins.
• Use an electric brush and a water flosser: an electric brush is effective at removing plaque that can accumulate on composite resin (in the same way it does with natural tooth enamel.

Contact a dentist in Uxbridge for composite bonding that lasts

Our dentists approach composite bonding with both a restorative and a cosmetic approach. This means our bonding treatments tend to last many years, and we aim to provide our patients with aftercare that helps them to get the most out of their treatment with us. We’re always on the other end of the phone with any questions following your treatment – let us know if there is anything you want to know about how to care for your tooth once you’ve left the practice.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us, please contact us here. We look forward to welcoming you.