Composite bonding on crooked or overlapping teeth: when it works

Composite bonding can disguise mildly overlapping or slightly crooked front teeth by adding resin to even out edges and outlines. It doesn’t move teeth. At Toothi in Edgware, edge bonding is £195 per tooth. Where the overlap is more than slight, straightening first with Invisalign Go Express (£1,495) usually gives a better, more conservative result. At the free bonding consultation we’ll tell you which route suits your teeth.

Bonding can make crooked teeth look straighter, but only up to a point. It works by adding tooth-coloured composite to the surface, so it can build out a tooth that sits slightly back, square off an uneven edge or close a small gap. It can’t pull a tooth back into line, so a tooth that sits forward stays forward.

That matters, because the only way to make a forward tooth look level with bonding alone is to add bulk to its neighbours or reshape the forward tooth itself. In small amounts this can look natural. Overdo it and teeth can look thick, long or bulky, and they’re harder to keep clean.

Bonding on its own suits cases where the misalignment is small and more about shape than position. Your dentist will look at your bite, your smile line and how far each tooth sits out of line before recommending it.

• ✓  Slight overlap. One tooth tucks marginally behind another and can be built forward with a thin layer.
• ✓  Uneven edges. The teeth are broadly in line but their biting edges are different lengths or chipped.
• ✓  Small gaps. Spaces between front teeth that can be closed by widening the teeth slightly. See composite bonding for gaps.
• ✓  A stable bite. No heavy wear, grinding or bite problems that would put extra load on the bonding.

Not sure which group you’re in? That’s what the free consultation is for. We take photos, talk through what you’d like to change and give you a written quote the same day.

When teeth overlap noticeably, moving them first means you need less composite afterwards, and often less tooth gets touched. The bonding is then just there to tidy the edges, not to hide where the teeth sit.

For a fuller side-by-side of the two treatments, read our guide to Invisalign vs composite bonding. If crowding is your main concern, see can Invisalign fix crowded teeth.

Bonding prices at Toothi are fixed and published. Every bonding price includes the consultation, shade match, treatment and a review appointment.

Prices are fixed and taken from our fees page. See also composite bonding cost and edge bonding.

The main trade-off is that the teeth stay where they are, so the bonding has to do more of the work. That can affect how they look, feel and last.

• ✓  Bulk. Building a tooth forward to meet its neighbours can make it look thicker from the side.
• ✓  Cleaning. Extra composite near the gum can trap plaque if it isn’t shaped carefully.
• ✓  Load. Bonding on a tooth that takes the brunt of your bite is more likely to chip.
• ✓  Upkeep. Composite can stain and wear over time and needs polishing and, eventually, replacing. Read how long composite bonding lasts.

None of this makes bonding the wrong choice. The plan just has to match how much correction you need, so we go through both options with you before you decide.