I had a chipped tooth that my dentist said he could repair with dental bonding. While I don’t have a chipped tooth any longer, the bonding part doesn’t really match the tooth part and it looks weird. Is that how dental bonding always looks? If not, should the dentist fix it or should I go to another dentist?
Alicea
Dear Alicea,
As you can see from the image directly above, it is definitely possible to match a tooth with direct dental bonding. However, it is not a skill most dentists will have. Most patients do not realize that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty in the dental field. That leaves it up to the dentist how much (if any) cosmetic dentistry training they receive. Dental bonding is especially challenging because it has to be done freehand.
If you are asking me what to do, my initial recommendation would be to give your dentist another chance. Ask him to re-do the dental bonding to get it to match your teeth. If he still doesn’t get it right the second time, that is when I would go to another dentist.
Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist
Knowing you need an expert cosmetic dentist and knowing how to find one are two different things. Fortunately, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recognized the problem patients face with this. In response, they began an accreditation program.
For a dentist to receive accreditation, they have to not only pass stringent exams demonstrating their technical knowledge, but they also have to prove the artistry they bring to their work. AACD accredited dentists are the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country. You can be absolutely confident that they can perfectly match your teeth.
Often, people go to them for complete smile makeovers with porcelain veneers. If all you need is to repair the chip, you don’t need veneers. However, if you are looking to change other things about your smile, veneers will be the way to go. They can not only repair the chip, but also change the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.