Bleaching Teeth after Bonding

Question:

Hi, recently I had cosmetic bonding done on my tooth. Now, I noticed that my teeth are a little yellow. I was wondering if I was to bleach my teeth would I need to have my bonding removed? Or is too late?
—Gonzalo in Alabama

Gonzalo,
You won't lighten your bonding with tooth bleaching. You have to re-do it.

This is a problem when you go to a dentist who claims to be a cosmetic dentist but doesn't have the complete training and cosmetic orientation. Dentists who do a lot of high-quality cosmetic dentistry will routinely advise, even urge patients to do tooth bleaching first and then do the tooth bonding after the tooth bleaching. They will match the cosmetic bonding to the patient's new, lighter bleached shade.

My suggestion: Just live with it for now, and then in a couple of years when the bonding is a little worn, check back with us and find an expert cosmetic dentist who can get your teeth looking really nice. By that time, dental insurance will probably cover the replacement bonding. The expert cosmetic dentist will bleach your teeth first and then do the tooth bonding second.

I hope this is helpful.

Dr. David Hall

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