Her Dentist Used the Wrong Color Bonding – Can It Be Fixed?

I visited three dentists for consultations and quotes for composite filling on 15 teeth. I chose the most affordable dentist because the bonding cost more than I expected. The dentist did the bonding for sensitivity near the gumline, not for cosmetic reasons.

Immediately after the dentist finished the work, I could see that she chose the wrong color bonding. And the fillings look pasty and rough. I no longer get compliments on my white teeth.

Do I have the get the boning on all 15 teeth removed and reapplied? Or can new boning be added over the old? What are the risks? I should add that several of the teeth already had bonding on them that started to chip. So, for those teeth, this would be the third round of bonding. – Thanks. Kasey from Albany, GA

Kasey – We’re sorry that you’ve had a bad experience with bonding. The lack of technique isn’t necessarily because you chose a dentist with affordable fees. A good family dentist should be able to get the color, textures, and polish right for fillings at the gumline.

Do your composite fillings need to be replaced?

Your composite fillings might need to be replaced depending on the shade and the extent of correction required.

A few facts:

  • A dentist might need to replace your fillings if the color is significantly off.
  • A dentist can remove some of the surfaces and resurface them with another color.
  • It’s not difficult to tell where the composite ends and the tooth structure begins, so replacing the fillings is easy.
  • Dental burs will selectively remove composite without harming your tooth structure.

Sensitive areas at the gumlines of teeth

Front tooth showing a wide notch at the gumline
Tooth abfraction lesion

Sensitive areas at the gumlines of teeth are called abfraction lesions. In the photograph, tooth enamel near the gumline is worn and leaves a notch that is often sensitive to air or touch. Research reveals that the primary cause of abfraction lesions is clenching your teeth. Clenching causes the tooth to flex and weaken at the gumline. Eventually, the tooth in that area wears away.

An experienced dentist will determine the cause of sensitivity at your gumline and select durable and flexible materials for clenching. Stiff composite materials will pop out under the force of clenching. But flexible materials like Silux Puls and Renamel look natural and are strong enough to stay intact.

If your dentist cannot correct your composite fillings, you can find a dentist who is skilled in bonding techniques and has affordable fees.

Plano, TX, female dentist, Miranda Lacy, DDS, sponsors this post.