I had my two front teeth bonded about 14 years ago. These teeth are now looking more grey and dingy, but I don’t have the money to have the bonding re-done right now. Is it true that bonding will not change color with bleaching? Could I use a tooth whitening product to bleach the bonded teeth whiter? Will using a product like Crest WhiteStrips improve the shade at all?
– H in Lowell
Unfortunately it is not possible to change the color of dental bonding with a tooth-whitening product. (Incidentally, the key ingredient is actually peroxide and not true bleach.) The result would be that the surrounding tooth and other teeth would appear whiter, but the bonding would remain the same color, which would probably look worse than the way they now appear.
If the grey look is due to surface stains, it is possible that having the bonded teeth professionally polished would help them regain their original color. A good cosmetic dentist would be able to offer this service. However, it is important that you go to someone with experience in caring for and maintaining cosmetic dentistry. Having your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist using techniques for non-bonded teeth could create cracks in the bonded which would make them stain easily. If this does not help, then the bonding would have to be re-done.