The visual appearance of your smile is important. Whether you’re meeting the in-laws, having fun with friends, or preparing to present before the board at work, making sure your teeth look healthy and beautiful will lead to greater confidence. But what happens if stains or discoloration arise? Can bonded teeth be whitened? To answer this question, a dentist is here to explain.
Does Dental Bonding Respond to Teeth Whitening?
You previously underwent dental bonding to conceal one or more minor flaws. You appreciate that you can no longer see the small chips, but now you’re worried that you can tell a difference between the color of your teeth. The reality is that dental bonding consists of composite resin, and it is not porous like traditional tooth enamel. As a result, should you inquire about having your teeth whitened, you will be unsuccessful in creating a uniform look simply because the resin will not whiten.
How to Fix the Problem
When having your teeth whitened, the composite resin that already exists will look darker and stained when compared to the rest of your smile. If you expose the resin to too many dark-colored beverages over time, it, too, can become stained.
Fortunately, there is a way to address this problem. Because dental bonding is not a permanent cosmetic solution, it can easily be removed. This is vastly different than traditional veneers because they require the removal of a small portion of tooth enamel, which makes it a permanent treatment.
With dental bonding, though, you can have the dentist remove the existing resin before undergoing teeth whitening. Once your teeth are the shade you prefer, you can then have dental bonding performed again to hide any minor flaws. This will ensure that the resin matches your whiter, brighter smile.
Of course, it is recommended that you wait to receive dental bonding (the first time) until after your teeth are whitened. This will help to lower expenses because you won’t need to have any bonding removed.
What a Whiter Smile Can Do For You
Enjoying a brighter, whiter smile is something most people want. No matter your age, having teeth that look more appealing will can help to carry you further in your career and within relationships. It shows others that you care about the way you look and about your overall health and hygiene.
By ensuring that your teeth look the same shade, you can exude the kind of confidence you deserve. And by choosing to pursue dental bonding to hide minor flaws, you can keep more money in your pocket without sacrificing exceptional quality and beautiful results.
About the Author
Dr. Mariliza LaCap has more than two decades of experience working in the oral healthcare field. Offering patients cosmetic solutions to keep smiles looking their best, she and her team implore patients to pursue teeth whitening treatment before undergoing other services, especially those that may throw off the shade of one’s smile. If you would like to discuss the process of teeth whitening and dental bonding, contact us at (201) 453-4863.