Can You Whiten Bonded Teeth?

Have you gotten dental bonding in the past? It’s a great solution for minor stains, chips, and gaps, creating a brilliant new smile you can enjoy for a long time. However, most people don’t realize that the bonding material can become stained and discolored just like real enamel. To solve this problem, many patients may consider getting teeth whitening treatment. But can that even whiten bonded teeth? Read along to find out!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening can be done in several ways, either with the assistance of a dental professional or at home with over-the-counter products. Both are effective options to remove stains caused by foods, drinks, and lifestyle habits. If you’re thinking about using whitening products to brighten your grin, make sure you ask your dentist what they recommend for your unique needs and goals.  

Can You Whiten Bonded Teeth?

Are your bonded teeth stained or discolored? You might be considering teeth whitening as a solution to your problems. However, since bonding resin is nonporous (unlike tooth enamel), whitening agents can’t penetrate and whiten them. If you use teeth whitening treatment, your bonded teeth will continue to look stained or discolored because of the contrast with your bleached pearly whites. Therefore, you will have to consider alternative options if you want to brighten your smile.

How to Brighten Your Smile

If you want to whiten your grin, the best time to do so is before you undergo cosmetic dental bonding. That way, your dentist can color-match the resin to your teeth when they’re at their brightest. As long as you practice good oral hygiene and make healthy choices, your natural and bonded teeth can remain bright for a very long time!

But what if you’ve gotten dental bonding in the past and wish to brighten your smile now? Since bonded teeth don’t respond to whitening agents, you have two other options:

• Porcelain Veneers – Are your teeth severely discolored or stained? Porcelain veneers are an excellent solution to consider. The ultra-thin sheaths of dental grade porcelain are adhered to the front surfaces of teeth, hiding any imperfection from view. Your dentist can match the veneer to the new tooth color and hide the stained bonded tooth.
• Replace Bonding Material – When your bonded teeth become stained, the best solution is usually to replace the discolored resin with a new material that matches your tooth color. This is also the most ideal option if your bond is more than ten years old or has deteriorated for any reason.

In a nutshell, even though bonded teeth can appear stained, they can’t be whitened with teeth whitening. Fortunately, your dentist can help you achieve your desired brightness with other solutions so you can continue to show off your smile with confidence!

About the Practice

At Real Dental, we offer truly comprehensive, individually tailored, state-of-the-art services that are guaranteed to meet all your oral health needs and goals. Our team uses the latest technologies, materials, and techniques to give you a smile you can proudly show off. If you want to whiten bonded teeth, we can do just that with our cosmetic services. Visit our website or call (817) 406-7239 to schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists.