Matching the Shade of Your Teeth
Dental bonding is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that uses a tooth-colored resin to fix issues like chips, gaps, and discoloration. During the procedure, the dentist selects a resin color that closely matches your natural teeth for a seamless look. However, if your teeth are discolored or stained, the bonding material will be matched to their current shade. Once the bonding is applied, the material cannot be whitened like natural enamel.
If you choose to whiten your teeth after the bonding is already done, you could end up with mismatched shades, as the bonded areas won’t lighten. This can create an uneven look, with the bonded teeth looking darker than the surrounding ones. To avoid this, it’s best to whiten your teeth first, then proceed with bonding so the dentist can match the resin to your newly brightened teeth.
Most dentists recommend whitening a few weeks before the bonding procedure. This gives your teeth time to adjust to the whitening treatment, ensuring that your smile is stable before the bonding material is added. Your teeth can continue to lighten for an additional set of days after whitening, so waiting ensures that your Panorama City dentist can match the bonding resin to the final shade of your teeth.
Additionally, over-whitening or rushing the process could cause tooth sensitivity, which might affect the bonding procedure. Giving your teeth time to recover from whitening helps ensure a comfortable experience during bonding.
Whiten First for Long-Term Results
Whitening your teeth before bonding also provides long-term advantages. Since dental bonding can last for several years, it’s a smart move to start with a whiter smile. Over time, your natural teeth may stain again, but with the proper care and practices applied, they can maintain a bright appearance for quite a while. You can always touch up your whitening treatments later, but it’s much easier to maintain a consistent look when you start with a brighter base.
If you choose to get bonding without whitening first, you might feel stuck with the current color of your teeth. Whitening after bonding, as mentioned, won’t lighten the bonded areas, which can be frustrating if you later decide you want a brighter smile. By whitening first, you give yourself more flexibility to maintain the smile you want.
Consult Your Dentist
Before deciding on any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to analyze the situation with a consultation first. Your dentist will assess the condition of your teeth, the extent of bonding needed, and your whitening goals. Your dentist can help you determine the right timing and approach for whitening and bonding, ensuring that your results are both beautiful and long-lasting.
Maintaining Your Whitened Smile
After your teeth are whitened and the bonding is completed, it’s important to maintain your smile. Sticking to a good oral hygiene routine, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, will help prevent future staining. You may also want to limit your consumption of stain-causing foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine.
If you do notice some discoloration over time, you can always apply additional touch ups to your teeth with professional or at-home whitening treatments. However, the bonded areas will remain the same color as when they were applied, so keeping your entire smile bright from the start is the best way to ensure an even appearance.