I have some sensitive areas of my teeth which I recently had dental bonding done to “fix”. They’re all by the gumline. When my dentist first began to do it I could tell the color wasn’t going to be right and requested they make it lighter. Even though she did that, it still doesn’t match. While I didn’t have this done for cosmetic reasons, I feel that it is a reasonable expectation that it matches my teeth. I had an attractive smile before and now it is obvious that I have some fake material on the top half of my teeth. Can this be removed and re-done without damaging the underlying teeth?
Cassie
Dear Cassie,
Your expectation is reasonable and I don’t understand why your dentist couldn’t make this work. Matching this composite material isn’t that hard. For this type of dental bonding she was doing, it is a bit like doing a filling. Any decent family dentist should be able to do this. Obviously, you are going to need to find another dentist to do this right.
I wouldn’t worry about damaging the underlying teeth. In most cases, the new dentist will just have to remove some of the surface of the bonding and replace it with the correct color composite. Even if the entire bonding has to be removed, it is fairly easy to tell where the bonding ends and natural tooth begins. This will be especially true with yours where the color is off, as in your case.
About Abraction Lesions
For those who are unsure about the problem she was facing with her teeth I’ve placed a picture to the left. This happens when the enamel of teeth near the gumline wears away. This leaves notches that become sensitive to air or touch.
In the past, we used to think these were caused by aggressive tooth brushing. Now we think they are more likely caused by clenching and grinding your teeth. This puts stress on the teeth where they flex and it weakens and wears away the enamel. Often this type of habit takes place while you’re sleeping. That means you may not even know you’re doing it. Your dentist should be able to see signs of that on your teeth if she understands bruxism. If it is an issue for you, then getting a nightguard will help protect your teeth.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.