In November, my dentist whitened my teeth and later placed bonding on them to hide fluorosis stains. After three tries, the color still isn’t right, so I let it go. I figured that I would keep the bonding because my dentist said it would last five years. After that, I planned to find another dentist to replace it. But within the past week, the bonding started peeling off like old paint. This is so embarrassing.

I called my dentist, and he said that bonding on fluorosis sometimes doesn’t stick to your teeth. He never mentioned that the bonding might peel before he placed it. Now I am concerned that I have to live with these stains. If my dentist cannot get this right, what are my options? Thank you. Karson from Santa Barbara, CA

 

Karson,

We are sorry to hear about your experience with dental bonding from your dentist. Fortunately, you have options for concealing fluorosis stains, but you cannot rely on your dentist for them.

Types of Fluorosis Stains

Fluorosis stains occur from consuming too much fluoride as a child while your teeth are still developing. Tooth stains are white in mild to moderate cases and brown in severe cases. The stains are usually confined to the tooth enamel.

Concealing Fluorosis Stains

Concealing fluorosis stains in teeth is one of the most challenging aspects of cosmetic dentistry. Depending on the stains and condition of your teeth, an advanced cosmetic dentist may recommend dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Dental bonding

• Applying dental bonding to tooth enamel requires these steps:
• Etch the tooth enamel
• Rinse and dry the enamel
• Apply a liquid bonding agent to the tooth and use a curing light to cure it
• Place composite over the cured bonding

At least your dentist bleached your teeth before applying the bonding, even though the color did not stay on. Bleaching teeth first is essential to matching bonding to your natural teeth. Whitening is an effective way to refresh your smile.

Porcelain veneers

After removing a conservative amount of tooth enamel, a cosmetic dentist will complete these steps:

• Take impressions of your teeth
• Provide a wax-up of your veneers
• Make temporary veneers for you to wear
• After you approve the temporary veneers, send pictures and instructions to a dental ceramist to make the final product
• Try the veneers on your teeth to ensure you are delighted with them

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

If your dentist is unable to apply your bonding and make it last, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

 

Dr. Jerome Cha, a Tulsa, Oklahoma dentist, sponsors this post