my bonding now looks cracked after 7 years. What are my options?

I would highly suggest having the dental bonding re-done by an experienced cosmetic dentist.  Of course you always run the risk of bonding breaking and staining, so if you are concerned with this risk, I would recommend getting actual porcelain veneers placed.  I generally offer dental bonding as a temporary fix, while the patient is saving up enough money for porcelain.  Dental bonding is generally not great for several years of use.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMD

So, you're dissatisfied with they way your bonding now looks....right?Your dentist could rebond your tooth, however I wouldn't be so concerned that "bonding won't last as long as first attempt".....many would argue with that as not always being the case.  Today the materials and techniques are much better than they were seven years ago.  Also, it depends on whether or not it is enamel or dentin under the bonding.  Bonding to enamel is way stronger to underlying dentin.Now, regarding veneers.  Don't know where you get the "horror stories"?  Porcelain veneers, in general, are way superior to direct composite bonding in strength, color, shape, texture and natural translucency.  Properly done, they should way outlast direct composite bonding!

It's sad to see that some of the Composite Bonding has come off and revealed that the junction between the filling and the tooth has now been discoloured due to wear and tear.From looking at your pictures , I believe that I would attempt to do the bonding sequence again which is a more conservative approach than drilling your tooth down to provide a veneer. This latter procedure is irreversible and I have always told all my patients that the old adage - First Do No Harm is what I stand by.Besides doing one veneer on a tooth is the hardest thing to get a dental technician to match the existing tooth and may take 2 to 3 attempts to get it right! Don't risk doing a veneer unless there is no other alternative.Even Veneers can debond and fracture as well in the future and cause even more problems.Warm RegardsDr J. Basrai Cosmetic Dentist Essex United Kingdom

I am so sorry to hear that your bonding has cracked.  Unfortunately boding material is made of plastic and is very porous, as a result it stains faster than your own teeth and is very susceptible to breakage.  Veneer is a very good alternative but you have to keep in mind since Veneers are made of porcelain it is less porous than tooth structure.  Therefore it stains much less than your natural tooth.  If you do only one veneer the up keep to make sure it matches your natural tooth is going to be very important.  At this time since the bonding has lasted for 7 years I would suggest to do the bonding over again before you do a Veneer.Best of luck.Dr. Maddahi

Porcelain veneers are tremendously better than composite bonding in every way.  If you have heard horror stories about them, then you are talking to the wrong people, including dentists.  Dentists that are untrained or unskilled are not able to provide an acceptable service, and often don't understand bonding principles leading to veneers coming off.  In the right situation, veneers can be as conservative as composite and equally reversible (most composite bonding ISN'T reversible, as the removal process results in a damaged tooth requiring a new restoration/no option of simply removing the bonding and leaving a virgin tooth).A redo of the current composite bonding likely WILL last long enough (nothing lasts forever) and may be good enough to get you through your pending event.  Seven years is a VERY long time with composite bonding, so you certainly got your money's worth.