I had my dental bonding done just two and a half weeks ago and it is already picking up stains. I have been drinking coffee, but my dentist never told me not to. Could this be what is staining my teeth? I was hoping my smile makeover would last longer than this. Is there any way to get it white again? Maybe teeth whitening?

Carmen

Dear Carmen,

I am curious as to why your dentist decided to do dental bonding for your smile makeover instead of porcelain veneers. In general, dental bonding is used for smaller restorations, such as chipped teeth or tooth gaps. If you want a complete smile makeover, porcelain veneers are the standard procedure. While it is a bit more expensive it lasts years longer.

Even though dental bonding doesn’t last very long, it should not be staining yet. There are a variety of composite bonding materials. Some are better for aesthetic procedures. Some are better for basic maintenance. It sounds like your dentist is your basic bread and butter dentist who does not stock the higher value composites needed for detailed cosmetic work.

I’m just guessing here, but it sounds like your dentist used a lower quality material that couldn’t be polished to a high shine. Another possibility here is he didn’t take the time or didn’t have the polishing equipment to be able to give it the high shine necessary to protect it from stains.

Your dentist either needs to use a Microfill or nanofill composite in order to get it up to the shine you need to protect it. I suggest you go back to your dentist and show him this post and request that he do this to repair the bonding. If he cannot, he should refund your money so you can get it done by someone who can.

Teeth whitening will not work to remove the stains. It will only whiten natural tooth structure. The only repair is either the one I just mentioned or to have the makeover completely redone.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.