Anyone had composite bonding done to get whiter teeth?

[iwanttolookbetter]

And if so how much did it cost and what did you make of the results? And why do they whiten the teeth then apply the bonds? Surely the bonds go over the discoloured teeth to do the whitening or are they slightly transparent? In which case if your teeth won't whiten that well (the reason I'm looking into other options), will you get a poor result?

Not sure dentist would do this.. damage teeth by drilling and filing only to put the bonding on later...veneers possibly.. some teeth just are not white and will never be even with bleaching.. tetracycline stains won't shift with bleach etc.

You're not sure a dentist would do what earsup? Composite bonding is quite common to whiten teeth but they mysteriously do it with bleaching at the same time which is one of the things I'm curious about. Tetracycline stains can sometimes shift with bleach. I did see a visible result from bleach. It just wasn't as much as I'd have liked.

Nobody had composite bonding?

I had some composite bonding done to front teeth as they had a crack in it, colour was matched to teeth to look natural...my point is....not sure a dentist would damage teeth by filing them down etc just to apply bonding to make them white etc...they would offer veneers...teeth whitened first and then veneers applied to match the new colour or shades of teeth....my cousin is a dentist..told me tertacyline stains are deep in the tooth...i had a few which didnt really lift after whitening....but as they were the ones that had cracked, the bonding hid the stains....any kind of work such as bonding or veneers removes part of the teeth...its not a reccomended route as then they are permanently weakened....if teeth are damaged and have been repaired then veneers or crowns would change the appearance etc but i wouldnt do that unless really necessary.

But do they always file down teeth for composite bonding? I thought it was only sometimes necessary?

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure the yellowness is caused by tetracycline. When I first realised they were yellower than they used to be I didn't know why and when I heard about tetracycline I put it down to that but I actually took it in adulthood and from what I've read more recently the damage is done when children take it before their teeth have come in. And yet I don't think I'm imagining the change in colour.

They whiten your teeth to match the composite as composite doesn’t whiten after it’s been applied. It depends what you’re getting the composite for. I had small gaps in my front teeth that I hated. I got them whitened and then the dentist applied the bonding to match. They don’t file your teeth down, they build them up with the composite. I’ve had mine done twice because the first dentist out the composite too close to my gums which made them bleed badly every time I brushed my teeth.

Veneers are what would be placed “over” teeth and wouldn’t require whitening.

Composite eventually wears away though so it’s not a long term solution. I’ve had mine done since 2015 and I feel like I’ll need them done again soon.

It’s cost me about £1000 to have mine done twice.

The second dentist did file my teeth slightly to get a better shape (which I wasn’t happy about but he knows better than me). The composite on one of my front teeth is starting to discolour and I’ve been told I’ll need it redone as it won’t lift with whitening.

This is my before and after the second time round.

Thanks Househunter - I didn't think bonding required filing down as standard and it's a relief to have that confirmed. Sorry you had a bad experience with the first dentist. Your teeth look fantastic now though - I'd be delighted with that result! How many teeth did they do for that price?

Composite bonding costs £150+ per tooth.
They don't file down your teeth.
You don't need to have your teeth whitened. But if you decided to after bonding then the bonds won't match the whitened teeth.

I have had composite bonding done twice to mask worn enamel on front teeth which was showing as discoloration at the top of each tooth. It's lasted about 3 years and have had it redone to four teeth just recently. No filing of original tooth and last visit cost me £60 via my very good local dentist. (Ironically on a private time appt as NHS services weren't operational again at time in Scotland). I had considered veneers but my dentist; who I highly rate; recommended against this for otherwise healthy teeth if only concerned about the colour. (Veneers also need replaced I think every 10 years)
I whitened my teeth again before the last treatment so the composite matched my new colour.
My recommendation would be to go a good local dental practice which does lots of CPD on a recommendation and not visit a cosmetic dentistry specialist, who may be more focused on other more expensive treatments; ie; veneers. I would 100% reccomend this as an cost effective and non invasive option.

It cost about £100 per tooth. I had 4 done the first time and 6 the second time. Next time I’ll probably get them built up a bit more to look more “veneer” like. They have worn quite a bit in the past 5 years, my gaps aren’t exactly back but they don’t look as perfect as they did when they were first done.

I agree with other posters you don’t get it to whiten your teeth, you get it to match your natural teeth. But they advise to whiten your teeth and get the composite matched to the lighter shade.

When I mention ' file teeth'...I mean they have to roughen the surface slightly for bonding to adhere properly....not file them down to points like Katie price has had done...!!

And the poster who paid £100 a tooth...thats cheap...where are you...london prices are double that..or more !!

@earsup

That's something I wish I hadn't just googled

I asked about this/veneers because I felt my teeth were looking a bit manky. My dentist said I had basically forgotten what “normal” teeth look like and suggested I have an airflow polish instead. Pre Covid I was having the airflow at every six month checkup.

My dentist said there was no way she would place veneers on healthy teeth, but the “preparation” for composite bonding was minimal.

[quote NancysDream]@earsup

That's something I wish I hadn't just googled [/quote]
Ha...!!...awful arent't they...!!...my cousin is a dentist...not in the UK, Colombia, thinks she must have had crowns at some point as so much tooth has been filed away...too much for veneers...she will need implants soon...!!And her veneers are far too white...look totally false !!...

@earsup

It's really weird that's what we are meant to be aspiring to these perfect white teeth, when they basically look like NHS dentures. If my teeth looked like KPs at 42 id be devestated

I have had composite bonding on one of my teeth. It failed and I have to have it again. Each time they have to scrape a little of the tooth away.

One tooth though due to a crack (bruxism)

@earsup I’m in Scotland and it was 5 years ago I got mine done at £100 per tooth, it probably has increased since then tbf but I haven’t looked again for myself yet as I am currently a poor student 😩

[quote Househunter2021]@earsup I’m in Scotland and it was 5 years ago I got mine done at £100 per tooth, it probably has increased since then tbf but I haven’t looked again for myself yet as I am currently a poor student 😩[/quote]
Ok...still not a bad price for 5 years ago...I can fly to Colombia off peak season for about £400 return and my cousin does my teeth free...I can't even get one crown done here private for less than £600 etc....She charges £40..!!

I'm interested to know more about this roughening the surface thing - I really don't want any damage at all to my teeth - not sure I would even be ok for minimal damage if it's visible?

I'm in Scotland too Househunter - can I ask where you went? I think you definitely can have it done for whitening. There was a Daily Mail article about Susannah Constantine having it done for that as she had bad tetracycline staining.

@iwanttolookbetter

I went to the Glasgow Smile Clinic the first time and they done it wrong. The second time it was a dentist called Michael Tang, he’s really good but I’m not sure where he is now in Glasgow. When I need to get them done again, I’ll probably go to Westerwood Health. You’d probably need a consultation to see what’s most appropriate for the staining I think, you might find that there’s something else that can help you.

Five words: Katie Price. Don't do it.

She had veneers I think CallmeAngelina, no? Composite bonding doesn't involve filing the teeth down and you don't have to go for Hollywood white so it's more subtle.