I got Zoom whitening three months ago and waited before getting dental bonding on my four upper front teeth. Three weeks ago, I got dental bonding that looked like a perfect match, but now the bonding is stained and darker than my teeth. I drink coffee daily, but the bonding should stain that quickly, should it? I called my dentist’s office and left a message. She returned my call after hours and recommended reducing my coffee intake to keep the bonding white. Bonding doesn’t stain within three weeks. Will I need to get the bonding redone? What is the bonding staining already? Is it cheap? Thank you. Taelyn from San Diego
Taelyn,
We understand your concerns about your dental bonding. Although bonding is not stain-resistant, it should not stain within weeks. We suspect that your dentist doesn’t have extensive training in bonding techniques and how to help new bonding deflect stains.
Does Dental Bonding Stain Within a Few Weeks?
Quality dental bonding does not stain within a few weeks. However, most general or family dentists have an inventory of general-purpose bonding, a high-strength material that is not aesthetically appropriate for high luster on front teeth.
Composite bonding is a blend of plastic resin with quart, silica, and glass. Various composites exist—some are durable but have limited shine. Others have high luster but lack durability. Then, newer nanofill composites combine strength and luster.
How Can You Get Bonding to Match Your Whitened Teeth?
Expert cosmetic dentists have an inventory of various composites to match your newly whitened teeth. Also, composites vary in shade, luster, and translucencies. Skilled cosmetic dentists blend composite bonding to match the graduation of color and gloss in your tooth enamel.
When a dentist chooses a material that lacks luster when polished, the bonding can stain more easily. You can ask your dentist to polish your bonding or use another material to achieve more luster while resisting stains. If your dentist cannot improve your bonding and match it with your Zoom-whitened teeth, consider seeing a skilled cosmetic dentist for the work.
Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.
An example from Dr. Delaune of how a cosmetic dentist can produce beautiful results with dental bonding.