Color for Dental Bonding Doesn’t Match
I had a bicycle accident a few weeks ago that led to a messed up nose, sprained wrist, serious abrasions, and a chipped tooth. My dentist suggested dental bonding because it was cheaper than porcelain veneers. I appreciate that he didn’t try to sell me something more expensive, but the bonding ended up looking very fake. The color is completely different from the rest of the tooth, which makes it obvious there’s a repair there. Can I ask him to redo it?
Elsie
Dear Elsie,
Above is an example of a chipped tooth repair which was done with dental bonding. As you can see from the image, the bonded portion blends in beautifully with the remainder of the natural tooth. It is not unreasonable to want your tooth repair to look like a natural tooth. There is nothing wrong with asking your dentist to redo the work so that it blends in naturally.
Be aware that dental bonding is an advanced cosmetic dental procedure. It has to be done free hand, so your average family dentist would have a hard time doing it beautifully. A truly skilled cosmetic dentist would never have the type of color mismatch that you are describing.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let him try. Every dentist starts somewhere. But, do it on the understanding that if he can’t get the repair to blend in with your natural tooth structure, that he will refund your money so that you can get it done elsewhere.
Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist
Because there is not a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, any dentist can “do” the procedures whether or not they have invested in the post-doctoral training they need to do it well. it can be hard for patients to know if a dentist is not only skilled, but artistic enough to create beautiful results.
The good news is that the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recognized the pickle that put patients in. As a result, it created an accreditation program. An AACD accredited dentist is one of the top cosmetic dentists in the country. It’s even better if they are FAACD. If your dentist ends up unable to do your bonding, that is the type of dentist I would look for.
This blog is brought to you by a compassionate cosmetic dentist in Cincinnati, Dr. Fred Peck.