Charlie Steere shares his biggest hints and tips for composite bonding following an outstanding Dentistry Live session in March.
When Charlie Steere stepped in front of the camera for his first Dentistry Live session, he admitted it felt ‘tricky being on camera for the first time’. However, the nerves disappeared and, after a successful live procedure, he ran through some composite bonding tips during an engaging Q&A session.
The session offered practical judgement, clinical nuance and the small decisions that make composite work predictable. Here are five of the standout insights from Charlie and why the underlying theme was about.
1. Keep composite thin – and let the natural tooth do the work
One of Charlie’s strongest composite bonding tips was the importance of restraint. For him, the best anterior composite work is almost invisible.
‘I try to keep my bonding really thin… I want their natural tooth shining through.’
It’s a reminder that aesthetic dentistry isn’t about adding volume, but about respecting the patient’s existing anatomy.
2. Technique is important – but judgement is what makes it predictable
Charlie’s explanation of the pull‑through method was one of the clearest moments of the Q&A.
‘I just pull the Mylar strip through slightly… it gets rid of air bubbles and gives a seamless joint.’
Another takeaway was knowing when to use it, and when to adapt. That theme ran throughout the session.
3. Rubber dam isn’t always the right answer
Moisture control is a perennial debate in restorative dentistry, and Charlie didn’t shy away from giving a candid view.
‘I don’t like rubber dam for bonding… I lose my landmarks a little bit.’
For some patients, he’ll use a split‑dam approach. For others, he relies on positioning and communication. Charlie added that good dentistry is flexible, and rigid rules don’t always serve the patient.
4. Don’t cure the bond first – and don’t be afraid to challenge convention
One of the most discussed moments came when Charlie explained why he doesn’t pre‑cure his bonding agent.
‘I never cure the bond before adding composite… even on posterior fillings.’
It’s a technique he picked up from Tony Rotondo, and it sparked plenty of interest in the chat. Again, the value was the reasoning behind it.
5. Composite chips because people chip – not because you failed
Perhaps the most grounded line of the entire Q&A was also the most reassuring for clinicians: ‘If someone chips their teeth a lot, no matter how good your composite is, they’ll chip it.’
Occlusion, habits and anatomy matter far more than the brand of composite. It’s a useful reminder that material science can only go so far without behavioural and functional context.
The thread running through it all: trust
Whether discussing opaquers, burs, finishing sequences or oxygen inhibition layers, Charlie kept returning to the same point: the clinician–patient relationship underpins everything.
His boundary was clear: ‘If a patient really won’t listen to my advice… we won’t be able to progress with treatment.’
Technique can be taught. Trust has to be earned — and maintained.
Watch the full Dentistry Live session on demand
These five insights only scratch the surface. The full Dentistry Live episode includes Charlie’s complete case walkthrough, his matrixing strategies, finishing tips and a host of practical details that didn’t make it into the Q&A.
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