Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-coloured composite resin material to treat various dental issues. It is especially beneficial for those who have poor smile aesthetics. However, cosmetic dental bonding can also help with:
- Repairing tooth decays, dental cracks and chipped tooth
- Changing abnormal teeth shape and rectifying tooth gaps
- Filling infected cavities
But, it is a common question for many people-it’s a less than great experience if you’ve ever whitened your teeth only to have your bonded teeth remain the same colour as your natural teeth before whitening.
Read on this blog until the end to learn how composite bonding responds to teeth whitening. It will also cover how to maintain tooth brightening treatments, with special highlights on the aftercare steps. Such a combined approach will help to keep up the freshness and brilliance of your smile over the years to come.
How dental bonding responds to colour?
Teeth whitening treatments consist of whitening gels and products. They offer an excellently simple and effective way to eliminate dental stains caused by intake of foods, beverages and of course, poor oral habits. Do you know what are the most common teeth staining culprits? Yes, those coloured and flavoured sauces, curries, coffee, carbonated drinks, tea, red wine, alcohol, etc. Also, unhealthy habits such as smoking, chewing tobacco, are included in this list. Most people wonder how to brighten composite bonding naturally – however, that’s a different scenario.
The colour of your composite bonding material is maintained such that it matches close to your natural tooth. When it is bonded to the natural teeth, differentiating between the two becomes just next to impossible. Only the skilled dental professionals can tell which one has got the treatment.
Contrary to the tooth enamel, the resin used in composite bonding is non-porous in nature. Stains obtained from everyday foods and drinks accumulate on the enamel; even they penetrate into the deeper regions through your teeth pores. When whitening agents are used to treat the natural teeth, the chemical gets into the same pores and oxidise the stains from within.
Due to the non-porous nature of resin, whitening agents cannot penetrate through it. So, your resin-bonded tooth will likely look like the ‘odd’ one out. They may possibly appear stained and discoloured over some regions, reflecting the high contrast with your whitened natural teeth. And, similar to any other plastic item, resin can become damaged over time when there is a prolonged exposed to different staining agents.
In simple words, composite bonding resin will look more stained after you opt for teeth whitening. And, the truth is that you cannot whiten the bonded teeth with whitening treatment or products.
When and how to whiten bonded teeth?
The most fruitful time to whiten your natural teeth is prior to opting for the bonding procedure. In this way, your teeth are their whitest stage, allowing the dentist to match the colour of your teeth with the bonding material. If you can maintain proper oral hygiene by regularly brushing, flossing, rinsing with fluoride-based mouthwashes, and getting touch-up treatments, it is possible to uphold the natural look of your bonded teeth for a long time. However, if you have had a cosmetic dental bonding procedure in the past and now wish to opt for teeth whitening, you must follow the tips below.
- Obtain a porcelain dental veneer that matches properly with your new tooth colour. This helps hide the stained bonded material.
- Obtain a replacement bonding procedure. The process will involve installing a new bonding material that matches close to your new tooth colour. This is a better option than the above, when your bonding has already crossed ten years and its colour got damaged for any reason.
Whatever you choose, it is essential to discuss with your dental care provider before. He can guide you better about your options.
Teeth whitening: Effects explained
Whether you opt for professional teeth whitening, over-the-counter or dentist-prescribed whitening products, you must keep the following things in mind.
- Always read the guidelines on your teeth whitening package.
- Some over-the-counter whitening agents can cause irritation to your gums and soft dental tissues. This is known as tooth sensitivity. If you get an extreme burning sensation, stop using the product.
- Overuse of whitening products can disrupt your natural tooth enamel, thus leading to heightened tooth sensitivity.
- If you are still using stronger chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, your bonded teeth will not get lighter than before – your natural teeth will.
Dos and don’ts with composite bonding to maintain its whiteness
It is crucial to take care of the composite bonding so as it remains white for longer.
Dos
- Brush your teeth two times each day (at least for two minutes)
- Floss your teeth along the gum line especially after having main meals
- Drink water after having food to wash out the stuck remnants in between the teeth
- Go for dental follow-ups at least once every six months
Don’ts
- Drink dark-coloured beverages, such as, tea, coffee, red wine and alcohol
- Eat pigmented foods such as berries, spicy curry and sauces
Bite down on hard food material, such as popcorn kernels, walnut shells, ice, etc. - Grind your teeth
After how long can composite bonding be whitened?
Tooth whitening must be skipped for two weeks prior to and two weeks following dental composite bonding treatment. Even though composite bonding won’t be impacted by whitening products, you can apply whitening agents to brighten your natural teeth after the two-week period and have your bonding replaced at the dentist to achieve a uniform smile.
Where to find teeth whitening services for bonded teeth?
The ideal location to whiten your bonded teeth is at the dental office. Your skilled dentist can substitute the discoloured or stained resin with new bonding that aligns with your new tooth shade.
Conclusion
Composite bonding is not long-lasting and needs maintenance and repairs to keep a naturally white smile. By opting for private dental clinics, you get an extensive range of benefits and dental care services from world-class dentists and technicians. From initial dental consultation to follow-up treatments, they prioritise patient care. Thus, whether you are suffering from stained tooth or multiple discoloured teeth, do not delay. Book an appointment with professional dentist in London for cosmetic dental bonding today!