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Dental bonding for fluorosis stains keeps sliding off my teeth

I have fluorosis stains on my teeth, so my dentist recommended Zoom whitening and dental bonding. The Zoom whitening was because the teeth that are not stained were so yellow that he wanted all my teeth to have even color. My dental bonding is a mess and seems to just peel off like melting plastic. My dentist is blaming the issue on my bite. Even after repeat bonding, it still falls off. The peeling bonding looks as bad as the fluorosis stains. I am done with my dentist but wondering if bonding is not the right thing for my teeth. What should I do? – Thank you. Angelica from Maine

Angelica,

We are sorry about your experience with your dentist. Fluorosis stains occur from consuming too much fluoride as a child while teeth are still developing. Fluorosis stains can be mild, moderate, or severe. Hiding the stains is challenging for most dentists, and only an experienced cosmetic dentist can

Mild Fluorosis

Mild fluorosis stains appear as white, blotchy stains on teeth. If you have mild stains, you may not need any treatment.

Moderate Fluorosis

Moderate stains can cover the entire fronts of teeth and make them blotchy.

Many patients suffering from very mild fluorosis may feel that no treatment is necessary. However, if the white spots become more extensive, they can cover the entire front surface of the teeth giving a mottled appearance to the teeth.

Severe Fluorosis

Severe fluorosis stains are white or brown and can cover teeth, detracting from your smile severely.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Fluorosis Stains

Not Zoom but Opalescence Boost in-office whitening applied to a patient's teeth
Teeth whitening before dental bonding can give your smile even color

Fluorosis stains often appear on the tooth enamel only. A skilled cosmetic dentist can conceal the stains with dental bonding. An advanced cosmetic dentist might use this process:

  • Grind out the discoloration
  • Apply a base layer to your teeth
  • Layer composite as required
  • Cure the composite
  • Polish your teeth

Your dentist did well to bleach your teeth so that the bonding would match. But if your dentist cannot get the bonding to adhere to your teeth, you need an advanced cosmetic dentist’s help. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training and experience concealing fluorosis stains with bonding.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

Will I need bonding or porcelain veneers for uneven tooth edges?

I’m almost finished with braces, but my tooth edges are uneven. Can bonding fix this, or will I need porcelain veneers? Thanks, Emmie from Idaho

 

Emmie,

An expert cosmetic dentist can correct uneven tooth edges with cosmetic bonding, cosmetic contouring (enameloplasty), or both. What’s the difference?

Cosmetic bonding vs. Enameloplasty

Cosmetic bonding applies dental composite to your teeth to improve shape and color. Both procedures are less invasive than porcelain veneers. But enameloplasty removes some tooth enamel to improve your tooth shape. We will explain each process.

Cosmetic bonding

With composite bonding, a dentist skillful blends composite (a mixture of dental resin and glass) to match the shade and translucence of your natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist works like an artist to apply and harden composite layers to smooth out jagged edges.

Cosmetic bonding steps include:

  • Acid etching your tooth enamel
  • Applying a bonding agent
  • Applying a layer of cosmetic bonding
  • Hardening the layer with a curing light before applying the next layer
  • Shaping your teeth
  • Polishing your teeth

Enameloplasty

Enameloplasty or cosmetic contouring reshapes your tooth enamel. After reshaping your teeth, the dentist will polish them. A cosmetic dentist understands how to reshape your teeth without changing your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet). Your dentist may need to use composite to finish the sides of your teeth.

Enameloplasty steps include:

  • Removing enamel with a dental burr or sand disc
  • Shaping and contouring each tooth
  • Polishing your teeth

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

The tip of dental forceps hold a porcelain veneer
Dental bonding or enameloplasty are less invasive than porcelain veneers

A cosmetic dentist will explain the cosmetic bonding and enameloplasty procedures and the results you can expect. You should not need porcelain veneers unless your teeth are damaged or stained beyond what teeth whitening can help. Schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist.

 

Cosmetic dentist Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

My dental crowns and bonding don’t match

I needed two old crowns replaced and some repairs for chips on three front teeth. My dentist placed CEREC crowns are on my left first and second molars. I’ve had this dentist for four years, but he never did any major work on my teeth. The crowns look great. But he placed the dental bonding three weeks ago, and it is the wrong color. And I am not sure how it happened, but my left front tooth is longer than the right one now, and the color on my incisors and canine teeth do not match the crowns.

I complained to my dentist about the color and the long tooth. At first, he told me to give it a week. When I went back to the office, he said that he would see what he can do. I scheduled an appointment for last week, but I canceled it because I am afraid that he will make my teeth look worse.

I chose this dentist because he is calm, and I have dental anxiety. But I can tell you that I am getting anxious about my teeth. My dentist does not sound confident that he can correct the bonding. If he can’t get the bonding right on the next try, will it hurt my teeth for another dentist to remove and replace the bonding? Thank you. Tiera from KS

Tiera,

Thank you for your question.

Dentists complete dental bonding by hand. Bonding is an artistic procedure with each tooth as the canvas. As an artist, a dentist must select and manipulate dental composite for the right color, texture, and translucence to match your surrounding teeth. A small number of dentists have artistic talent and advanced training to produces results that look like a natural tooth. Unfortunately, your description sounds like your dentist lacks the experience, creative talent, and training to achieve your desired results.

Cosmetic Dentists Are Persistent

Artistic cosmetic dentists take their art personally. They will not settle on a smile that looks okay. They listen to you and will not complete your case until you are happy with the results. Your dentist’s comments reflect that you can adjust to the way your teeth look or he will try again. But what if you do not like the results?

Can a Dentist Remove and Replace Dental Bonding?

A CEREC ceramic bloc for making same-day crowns
CEREC bloc for a crafting same-day crown. A cosmetic dentist can perfectly match your bonding and crowns.

An advanced cosmetic dentist can remove and replace dental bonding on your teeth. And a cosmetic dentist has the required tools to remove the bonding only without damaging your teeth. But if you think you might need to have another dentist redo the bonding, why not schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist? The dentist will examine your teeth and bonding and explain what they will do to ensure a perfect match with your CEREC crowns and surrounding teeth.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Moline, IL sponsors this post.