Archives for July 2020

BEFORE – Gap between front teeth

I’m sending photos that my sister and I think reflect a dental bonding error on her teeth, but her dentist won’t admit it. The dentist hid the gap between my sister’s center front teeth and bonded her lateral incisors to enlarge them. When the dentist showed my sister the results, she immediately noticed the blue/gray shade of her front teeth and that her lateral incisors don’t match her front teeth or the others. The center front teeth and color look good, but the dentist told her that he intentionally made the incisors match her eye teeth. But later, he told her that he used the same material on all four teeth.

AFTER – Dark lateral incisors

The dentist says he wants further payment to correct it although my sister already paid a little over $1000 for the work. Will you please look at the pictures and let us know if this is a bonding mistake? Thanks for your time. Gabby from Pueblo, CO

Gabby,

It sounds as if your sister’s dentist realizes the mistake he made. In a natural smile, tooth shade should reflect the following:

• Central incisors – Whitest shade
• Lateral incisors – Slightly lighter
• Canines – Slightly lighter than incisors

We attached the photos you sent (they are a little blurry) to this post, and we agree. They reflect a bonding mistake that advanced cosmetic dentists don’t make. Your sister’s two lateral incisors are even darker than her canine teeth. Although you didn’t mention the shape of your sister’s bonded teeth, they look off, in addition to the color mistake.

What to Do After a Dentist’s Bonding Mistake

• Ask the dentist to correct it – Although your sister can ask the dentist to correct her tooth shade, it’s clear that her dentist doesn’t have advanced training or skill in cosmetic dentistry. The results she will get are unpredictable, but the dentist should be willing to re-do the composite on the lateral incisors with a shade that’s only slightly darker than the center front teeth.
• Get a second opinion – If your sister is uncomfortable with the dentist correcting his work–or if the dentist isn’t willing to do it–your sister
  

  Bioclear flowable composite produces natural-looking results

  can get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist. Bioclear flowable composite is an example of new bonding technology that achieves smooth, even results, and a perfect seal on teeth. But a skilled cosmetic dentist needs to do it. If your sister needs to switch dentists, ask her to do some research on Bioclear and decide if she is interested in a dentist who offers it.

Rekha Reddy, DDS, a female dentist in Dallas, TX, sponsors this post.