My Dental Bonding Is Peeling Off After Two Months

Posted on by .

After my dentist’s four attempts to hide fluorosis stains on my teeth, the bonding is still the wrong color. I’ve had so many bonding attempts that the most recent bonding that my dentist did in August is starting to peel.  My dentist wants to try again, but I am afraid that all the etching of my teeth is going to ruin the enamel. Then, I will have spotted teeth with little enamel left. Is it time to switch dentists? Is it unrealistic to think the fluorosis stains will improve? Thanks, Jasyn

Jasyn,

Your current dental situation, characterized by poorly executed dental bonding and fluorosis, requires careful consideration and appropriate treatment.

What Is Fluorosis?

Fluorosis is a condition resulting from excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development. Mild fluorosis causes subtle white spots on the teeth, while severe cases may involve brown discoloration and pitting.

The Failed Bonding Procedure

The inadequate bonding procedure you’ve experienced indicates subpar dental work. The fact that the bonding fell off suggests you need a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Addressing Fluorosis and Achieving Optimal Results

Close-up photo of a male patient’s lips and teeth after dental bonding. Teeth that were dark, worn, chipped, and uneven are now white, even, and expressive.

Dental bonding by Steven Brooksher, DDS

A skilled cosmetic dentist can use dental bonding techniques to treat fluorosis and restore teeth. The dentist must remove the discolored enamel and apply composite resin material that mimics the appearance of natural teeth. By carefully selecting and layering the composite, the dentist can achieve natural-looking results

A successful bonding procedure relies on proper etching and bonding techniques. Etching the enamel creates a microscopically rough surface that allows the bonding agent to adhere to your teeth. In cases of severe fluorosis, longer etching time may be needed. The bonding agent, when cured, forms a strong bond with the tooth structure, ensuring the longevity of the restoration.

Given the complexities of your case, we recommend consulting an experienced cosmetic dentist to address the aesthetic and functional aspects of your dental needs.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge-accredited cosmetic dentist and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, sponsors this post.

His Dental Bonding Couldn’t Look Worse

Posted on by .

My 11-year-old son’s dental bonding couldn’t look worse. He fell two weeks ago and broke both front teeth. Fortunately, he was at school, and it was a weekday, so we could get to our general dentist within an hour. The dentist was helpful and took X-rays. He said he could fill in both teeth with dental bonding, which he did two days later. The bonding looks like lumpy instant oatmeal. The color and texture are wrong. My son cried and is so embarrassed that he wouldn’t smile. Fortunately, he has not been teased, but then he makes sure no one can see his teeth when talking. I need this corrected, but I won’t relieve my son’s anxiety about letting our dentist try again. On top of that, we were planning to start clear braces for my son in two years. I don’t want to waste money on bonding if it won’t work. Where do we start?  – Thanks. Zach from IL

 

Zach,

We are sorry to hear about your son’s accident and embarrassing dental bonding.

Your dentist chose the right treatment option to fill in your son’s teeth. Unfortunately, the dentist is not skilled enough to produce aesthetic results with dental bonding. Especially when a large portion of a tooth is broken, a dentist must have an in-depth understanding of dental composite and artistic skills. So, although your dentist knew how to fix the problem, he couldn’t make it look natural.

We encourage you to get a second opinion from an advanced, preferably accredited, cosmetic dentist. Please don’t do otherwise because a dentist may recommend dental crowns for your son, which is a mistake for two reasons:

The pulp in a child’s tooth can be close to the surface, and grinding the tooth down for a dental crown can damage the pulp, requiring root canal treatment.

Your son is still growing, so the tooth will erupt further. The margin between the crown and tooth will show as the tooth erupts. It will be obvious that he has a dental crown.

We recommend searching online for a dentist with post-graduating cosmetic dentistry training who treats adults and children. Explain your concerns with dental bonding for your son’s teeth and your plans to start clear braces within two years. The dentist will explain your son’s options for dental bonding and how cosmetic dentistry can keep his teeth looking great as he grows.

Before and after dental bonding pictures from Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher

Before and after dental bonding photos of Dr. Brooksher’s work

My Dental Bonding Is Too Thick

Posted on by .

After I chipped my right center tooth and the one behind it last September, my dentist applied bonding on them. But the bonding did not match my teeth. She did the bonding twice, and with her previous attempt, the bonding is tooth thick. I can see and feel the difference. Although my dentist tried to correct it by shaving it down, the tooth still looks thick but distorted in shape. My dentist suggested that we try porcelain veneers to cover the whole tooth, and a lab can contour them. I don’t want my dentist to do any more work on my teeth. Is it too late to start over with another dentist, or will removing the bonding damage my teeth and require veneers? Thank you. Cassie from OK

Cassie,

Thank you for your question. Your thoughts about not letting your dentist do any more work on your teeth are valid. Your dentist’s lack of training and experience with cosmetic work prevents her from giving you natural-looking results.

Natural-Looking Dental Bonding

Natural-looking dental bonding requires advanced training and an artistic eye for a dentist to select mixed colors, textures, and translucence to match your teeth. Then a dentist must apply bonding by hand and sculpt it on your teeth to achieve your natural tooth shape. Few dentists can manage to bond well enough to make it look so realistic that you cannot tell your tooth was ever damaged. More dentists can do a good job but not as well as a trained cosmetic dentist. It seems that your dentist has no cosmetic training at all.

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

If you want dental bonding instead of veneers, see an advanced cosmetic dentist

We recommend that you search for an advanced, preferably accredited, cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth. A skilled dentist understands how to remove bonding without damaging your teeth and reapply it to match your tooth color and shape. It will not look too thick. And it can prevent the need for porcelain veneers.

If your current dental bonding looks inferior, your dentist should agree and be willing to compensate you instead of offering porcelain veneers. You may request a refund from your dentist and hope she is reasonable.

Best wishes on a smooth resolution.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.