Revitalizing Discolored Dental Bonding

Once upon a time, you visited your dentist for a dental bonding treatment. They mixed together some tooth-colored resin, sculpted the material over a minor flaw in your tooth, and bam! Just like that, you could enjoy a picture-perfect smile.

This simple process can yield fantastic results, which is why you and many others absolutely love it. However, some time has passed, and you swear the bonding material is yellowing. Is that even possible? And if it is, how do you whiten it? Can you whiten it?

For answers to these questions and more, just keep reading. Per usual, you’ll find that your dentist has you covered.

Does Dental Bonding Stain?

Yes. Just like your natural enamel, the resins used in dental bonding material will eventually stain. However, they are still different enough that your dental bonding might not yellow at the same rate as your natural teeth. This could make your cosmetic resin stand out. Understandably, you’re probably not too excited about that possibility.

Can I Whiten Dental Bonding?

Revitalizing your dental bonding isn’t as simple as having it whitened along with your natural teeth. In fact, a whitening treatment might make dental bonding discoloration more obvious, because the treatment hardly affects the resin at all.

The vast majority of teeth whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which have properties that allow them to slip past your enamel’s pores to target staining pigments. The problem is that dental bonding is non-porous. Most whitening agents can’t get past the resin’s surface to wipe out yellowing.

How Can I Revitalize My Smile If I Have Dental Bonding?

So teeth whitening as you’re probably thinking of it won’t work, but you still have other options! Consider these alternatives for whitening your smile if you have dental bonding:

• Professional polishing. This treatment is performed during your regular, biannual cleaning. Basically, your dentist can polish some surface discoloration off your bonding material.
• Restoration. Your dentist can also simply replace or repair your dental bonding. If you’re also considering having your teeth whitened, do that beforehand so your dentist can match the shade of your dental bonding to your newly whitened teeth.
•  Porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin shells that are adhered to the front-face of your natural tooth. They can conceal your dental bonding and provide some added enamel protection, so it’s worth asking your dentist if they would be a good fit.

Dental bonding might have to be “whitened” a bit differently, but it can be done! Since they’re considered a cosmetic treatment, it’s important that your resin looks the way you want it to. If you think it’s time to revive your smile, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist! They’ll assess any dental staining and keep you informed about your options.

About the Author

Dr. Sowmya Kumar practices at Premier Walk-In Dental in Rockledge. She loves helping patients reach their smile goals and would be happy to talk with you about your dental bonding. To contact her office, call 321-631-4334 or explore her website for more information.