When redoing bonding teeth to lighten color, does the lighter color require that bonding be very thick?

Question

I have 23 year old bonding that isn't to my liking. I also needed an implant. My dentist created the treatment plan. He had me choose the color for the implant. Now that it's time to start the bonding my dentist says that he can't match the color of the implant without the bonding being extremely thick and I wouldn't be happy. I didn't choose a white color just a step lighter to match the implant. Does a lighter bonding mean that the bonding has to be thicker?

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

I would love to see a photo, but based on your description, I would recommend placing a veneer on that tooth, instead of bonding.  This is because no matter how well you take care of your teeth and how well your dentist creatively matches the bonding color, your bonded tooth will still stain much, much faster than your natural tooth. On the other hand, if you get a veneer instead of bonding, your tooth's shade should match perfectly and it will be highly stain resistant for the 20 or 30 years that you keep it.  I hope this helps.  Follow me if you have more questions about it.Sarah Thompson, DMD

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

Color with bonding is achieved with thickness, opacity of the composite and the actual color (or shade) of the composite.  If the tooth is dark and you want it lighter, generally you need some thickness of the bonding to achieve the color shift (making the darker tooth lighter).If your bonding is 23 years old, then it is time to have it replaced and upgraded with the newer types of composite bonding that are stronger, more lifelike and have many more shades and opacity to achieve the best results.You might be interested in the video on composite bonding at the website below.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

Bonding has changed a lot in the last 20 years. We have many ways to hide dark colors underneath, as well as really match the natural look of the real teeth. Matching the new bonding to one implant is a difficult match. We dealing with different types of materials that reflect the light differently.There are tricks that a cosmetic dentist can use to boost the color. A lot depends upon how thick the old bonding was. In general, I don't expect that the new bonding has to be excessively thick, so it's possible.In general, the new bonding ought to look better and have more options for looking natural than your old bonding would have. If you really want a fantastic result, you could consider porcelain veneers. The porcelain can be made very thin and has more similar properties with light like your implant crown does.

When redoing bonding teeth to lighten color, does the lighter color require that bonding be very thick?

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Everything you need to know about Dental Bonding

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When redoing bonding teeth to lighten color, does the lighter color require that bonding be very thick?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Bonding

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.