The cosmetic dental bonding on my six front teeth stains easily. I only drink coffee once a week, don’t smoke, and drink alcohol. I am not a big juice or sweets eater either. The discoloration still occurs. Now I am supposed to start Invisalign in March. I am afraid that the stained bonding will continue to darken and draw attention to my teeth. Then people will notice my Invisalign, which defeats the purpose of having invisible braces. I don’t want to need bonding in the middle of Invisalign treatment. Should I get new bonding before I start Invisalign? – Thank you. Elise from Baton Rouge, LA
Elise,
Thank you for your question. We understand your concern about having discolored dental bonding while wearing invisible braces.
Why Does Dental Bonding Stain?
Dental bonding stains over time because it is porous like a sponge and can absorb pigment from staining foods, drinks, and tobacco. But high-quality bonding can last five to ten years if you take good care of it. Although you did not mention how long you’ve had the bonding, it can stain or chip over time. Older bonding materials are more likely to stain than new materials. When a skilled cosmetic dentist places bonding, they will ensure that it is properly cured and polished to help keep stains out as much as possible.
Can a Dentist Polish Your Bonding?
An expert cosmetic dentist can freshen up bonding by polishing stains away. We recommend visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist to examine your dental bonding. They will determine whether the stains in the bonding can be polished or if the bonding needs to be removed and replaced before you begin orthodontic treatment.
Schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.
Dr. Rekha Reddy, a Dallas, Texas dentist, sponsors this post.
