Composite bonding costs between £150 and £400 per tooth in the UK, with most patients paying around £200–£350. It's one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments available — a full smile makeover with bonding on 6–10 teeth typically costs £1,200–£3,500, significantly less than porcelain veneers. Composite bonding is a private-only treatment and is not available on the NHS.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the cost, what's involved, how long it lasts, and whether it's the right choice for your smile.
What is composite bonding?
Composite bonding (also called dental bonding or cosmetic bonding) is a procedure where your dentist applies a tooth-coloured composite resin directly to your teeth, sculpting and shaping it to improve their appearance. It can:
- Close gaps between teeth
- Repair chipped or cracked teeth
- Reshape uneven or misaligned teeth
- Cover discolouration or stains
- Build up worn-down teeth
- Create a more uniform smile line
The material is the same composite resin used for white fillings, but when applied by a skilled cosmetic dentist, the results can be remarkably natural. The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) describes bonding as a conservative, reversible option for smile enhancement.
How much does composite bonding cost per tooth?
Pricing depends on the type of bonding and the complexity of the work:
| Type of bonding | Cost per tooth | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Edge bonding (minor chip repair) | £100 – £200 | Small chips, minor reshaping |
| Standard composite bonding | £200 – £350 | Gaps, reshaping, moderate chips |
| Premium / enhanced bonding | £300 – £500 | Complex reshaping, full tooth coverage |
| Composite veneer (full coverage) | £250 – £450 | Full front surface rebuilding |
These are UK-wide averages. The final price depends on your dentist's experience, location, and the complexity of each tooth.
Multi-tooth and smile makeover packages
Most patients have bonding on multiple teeth to create a consistent result. Many clinics offer package pricing:
| Number of teeth | Typical cost | Common use case |
|---|---|---|
| 2 teeth | £400 – £700 | Closing a single gap or fixing chipped front teeth |
| 4 teeth | £800 – £1,400 | Improving the four front teeth |
| 6 teeth | £1,200 – £2,100 | Upper front teeth (the "social six") |
| 8 teeth | £1,600 – £2,800 | Full upper smile line |
| 10 teeth | £2,000 – £3,500 | Comprehensive smile transformation |
Some clinics offer a discount per tooth when treating multiple teeth in the same session. Always ask whether the quoted price includes the consultation and any follow-up polishing appointments.
London vs regional pricing
Like most dental treatments, composite bonding is more expensive in London:
| Location | Price per tooth | 6-tooth package |
|---|---|---|
| Central London (Harley Street, Marylebone) | £300 – £500 | £1,800 – £3,000 |
| Greater London | £250 – £400 | £1,500 – £2,400 |
| South East | £200 – £350 | £1,200 – £2,100 |
| Midlands | £180 – £300 | £1,080 – £1,800 |
| North of England | £150 – £280 | £900 – £1,680 |
| Scotland | £150 – £300 | £900 – £1,800 |
The London premium reflects higher operating costs, but also the concentration of dentists who specialise in cosmetic bonding with extensive training and portfolios.
What affects the price?
Dentist experience and skill
Composite bonding is one of the most skill-dependent procedures in dentistry. The result depends entirely on your dentist's artistic ability and technique. Dentists who have completed advanced cosmetic training (such as courses through the BACD or accredited programmes) typically charge more, but the results can be dramatically better.
Look for dentists who:
- Display extensive before-and-after photos of their own bonding cases
- Hold accreditation from the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Invest in ongoing cosmetic dentistry training
- Use high-quality composite materials
Composite material quality
Not all composite resins are equal. Premium materials from manufacturers like GC, Kulzer and Tokuyama come in layered shade systems that mimic the natural translucency of enamel. Budget composites can look flat and opaque. Ask your dentist which composite system they use.
Number of teeth and complexity
Simple chip repairs are quicker and cheaper than full-coverage composite veneers that rebuild the entire front surface of a tooth. Teeth that are heavily discoloured, severely rotated, or very short require more time and material.
Use of digital smile design
Some practices use digital planning tools to design your smile before treatment begins. You see a digital preview of the result, which guides the bonding placement. This adds to the cost but improves predictability.
Composite bonding vs porcelain veneers
This is the most common question patients ask. Here's how they compare:
| Factor | Composite bonding | Porcelain veneers |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per tooth | £150 – £400 | £500 – £1,200 |
| Treatment time | 1 appointment (1–2 hours) | 2–3 appointments over 2–4 weeks |
| Tooth preparation | Minimal or none | Requires removing some enamel |
| Reversible | Yes — can be removed | No — permanent alteration |
| Lifespan | 5 – 7 years | 10 – 20 years |
| Stain resistance | Lower — may stain over time | High — porcelain resists staining |
| Repairability | Easy and cheap to repair | Expensive to replace |
| Natural appearance | Very good (skill-dependent) | Excellent |
The key difference: Composite bonding is reversible and conservative — your natural tooth structure stays intact. Porcelain veneers require permanently removing a layer of enamel, so you'll always need veneers or another restoration on those teeth. The General Dental Council emphasises that patients should understand this distinction before consenting to irreversible treatment.
For many patients, composite bonding is the sensible first step. If you want to upgrade to porcelain veneers later, your teeth are still intact. You can't go backwards from veneers.
Is composite bonding available on the NHS?
No. Composite bonding for cosmetic purposes is a private-only treatment. The NHS does not cover cosmetic dental procedures.
However, if you chip a tooth and need a repair for functional reasons (not purely cosmetic), an NHS dentist may use composite resin to fix it under Band 2 (£73.50). The difference is intent — NHS covers clinical need, not aesthetic enhancement.
What happens during treatment?
Composite bonding is one of the simplest cosmetic procedures:
- Consultation (15–30 minutes) — Your dentist examines your teeth, discusses your goals, and may take photos or moulds. Some practices offer a digital preview
- Shade matching — The composite resin is matched to your natural tooth colour (or the desired shade if whitening first)
- Preparation — Your tooth surface is lightly etched with a mild acid and a bonding agent is applied. No drilling or anaesthetic is usually needed
- Application — Composite resin is applied in layers, sculpted by hand, and cured (hardened) with a UV light after each layer
- Shaping and polishing — Your dentist refines the shape, checks your bite, and polishes to a natural finish
Treatment time: Allow 30–60 minutes per tooth. A full set of 6–8 teeth typically takes 2–4 hours in one session.
Pain: Most patients experience no pain at all. Anaesthetic is rarely needed since the procedure doesn't involve drilling into the tooth. You can eat and drink normally straight after treatment.
How long does composite bonding last?
Composite bonding typically lasts 5–7 years before it needs repairing or replacing. Some patients get 8–10 years with excellent care. Factors that affect longevity:
- Oral hygiene — good brushing and flossing protect the bonding edges
- Diet — excessive coffee, tea, red wine and curry can stain composite over time
- Habits — nail biting, pen chewing, and using teeth as tools can chip bonding
- Grinding (bruxism) — if you grind your teeth at night, a night guard is essential to protect your bonding
- Composite quality — higher-grade materials last longer
- Maintenance appointments — periodic polishing (every 6–12 months) restores the surface shine
When bonding does wear or chip, it's straightforward and affordable to repair — unlike veneers, which must be completely remade.
Tips for making your bonding last
The Oral Health Foundation recommends these steps for maintaining dental restorations:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Use interdental brushes or floss daily
- Avoid biting hard objects (ice, pens, fingernails)
- Limit staining foods and drinks, or rinse with water after consuming them
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and hygiene appointments
- Ask about polishing your bonding at your routine hygienist visits
Should you whiten first?
Yes, if you're planning it. Composite bonding is colour-matched to your existing teeth, and the composite itself cannot be whitened after it's placed. If you want whiter teeth, complete your whitening treatment first, wait 2 weeks for the shade to stabilise, then have bonding applied to match the new, brighter colour.
Many clinics offer combination packages (whitening + bonding) at a discount.
How to find a good composite bonding dentist
Composite bonding results vary enormously depending on the dentist. To find a skilled provider:
- Look at before-and-after photos — these should be the dentist's own cases, not stock images. Ask to see examples similar to your situation
- Check for cosmetic credentials — membership of the BACD or completion of recognised cosmetic courses
- Read reviews — look for specific mentions of bonding in patient reviews on Google and Trustpilot
- Ask about their materials — a dentist confident in their work will happily tell you which composite system they use
- Verify GDC registration — check at the General Dental Council register
- Book a consultation first — a good cosmetic dentist will offer a detailed consultation before committing to treatment
Pearlie tip: Don't choose based on price alone. A cheaper bonding job that looks unnatural or chips within a year costs more in the long run. Invest in a skilled dentist with a strong portfolio — the difference in results can be dramatic.
Financing composite bonding
Since bonding is a private treatment, most clinics offer:
- 0% interest finance — spread the cost over 6–12 months with no interest
- Extended plans — 12–36 months with interest
- Pay-per-tooth — some clinics allow you to treat a few teeth now and more later
A 6-tooth bonding treatment at £1,800 on a 12-month 0% plan works out to £150 per month.
Frequently asked questions
Is composite bonding worth the money?
For most patients, yes. At £200–£350 per tooth, bonding offers a significant cosmetic improvement at a fraction of the cost of veneers. It's also reversible — if your circumstances or preferences change, the bonding can be removed without permanent damage to your teeth. Patient satisfaction rates for composite bonding are consistently high, particularly when performed by experienced cosmetic dentists.
Does composite bonding damage your teeth?
No. One of the biggest advantages of composite bonding is that it preserves your natural tooth structure. Unlike veneers, which require removing enamel, bonding is applied on top of your existing teeth with minimal or no preparation. If you decide to remove the bonding in future, your natural teeth underneath are unaltered. The BACD lists this reversibility as a key advantage over porcelain alternatives.
Can composite bonding stain?
Yes, composite resin can stain over time, particularly with regular exposure to coffee, tea, red wine, turmeric, and tobacco. However, surface staining can often be removed with professional polishing at your hygienist appointments. Choosing a high-quality composite material and maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces staining.
Can you eat normally with composite bonding?
Yes, you can eat normally straight after treatment. There is no waiting period. However, to protect your bonding long-term, avoid biting into very hard foods (like whole apples or crusty bread) directly with bonded teeth. Cut food into smaller pieces instead. Avoid using your front teeth to tear open packaging or bite nails.
How does composite bonding compare to Invisalign?
They solve different problems. Invisalign moves your teeth into better alignment; composite bonding changes the shape and appearance of teeth in their current position. Some patients benefit from both — Invisalign first to straighten, then bonding to perfect the shape. If your teeth are well-aligned but chipped, uneven, or have gaps, bonding alone may be all you need.
Can composite bonding close gaps between teeth?
Yes — closing gaps (diastemas) is one of the most common uses for composite bonding. Your dentist adds material to the sides of the teeth adjacent to the gap, making them slightly wider to close the space. Results are immediate and the treatment is reversible. For larger gaps or gaps caused by teeth being too small, your dentist may recommend Invisalign to close the gap through tooth movement instead.
Prices in this guide are indicative and based on UK market data as of February 2026. Always confirm pricing directly with your chosen clinic. Composite bonding results depend heavily on the skill of the individual dentist — always review before-and-after photos before committing. Pearlie does not provide dental advice — all treatment decisions should be discussed with a GDC-registered dentist.
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