Composite bonding - how quickly/badly does it stain?

[QuietLurker]

I'm looking for people's experiences with composite veneers/bonding. I've recently had it done on four top front teeth to mask moderate misalignment. I have a great dentist who I trust, and I'm really pleased with how they look -- they're not unnaturally perfect-looking and still look like my teeth, which is what I wanted, but they look significantly straighter and more uniform.

However, I know that composite can stain and I find myself wondering how risky it is to have a cup of tea, eat tomato pasta sauce, etc.

Can anyone share experiences with composite bonding, especially if you've had it a few years. How easily has it stained? What do you eat/drink? Do you avoid anything?

Reviews online seems to be split between those who have had their composite work for years, eat and drink anything they like and say they're still perfect, and those at the other extreme who say they're awful and stain if you so much look at a cup of tea or glass of red.

I'm not a red wine drinker, but love my tea! So far I'm limiting myself to one cup a day and rinsing my mouth afterwards, but I'd love to relax about it a bit if thats possible!

Mine are a year old and I love my tea. I’ve not noticed any difference in colour from when they were done but they were done to match my natural ivory teeth colour as I’m not a fan of blindingly white teeth personally. Similar to you it’s just my front top teeth to make them more symmetrical/close up a gap.

I don’t avoid anything and enjoy a curry but don’t like red wine or coffee.

If they get stained you can bleach them or get the dentist to polish out the stain. I have done both and the composite is fine, four years old now.

Eta: the only thing I find that stains them is red wine and strong coffee. So I cut down on both!

Thanks, both of you, that's really helpful (and reassuring!) Good to know I probably don't have to completely change my diet, and they aren't likely to turn yellow overnight. Also good to know the stains can be removed.

Mine are also not blindingly white Brogues. I think the colour was A2, which is pretty average tooth colour, I think. They look just like my own teeth (including sort of marbling/slight colour variations iykwim), just a bit more uniform. I'm quite amazed by what the dentist managed to do!

Mine haven't stained at all and I drink lots of tea and coffee.

I'm a white wine drinker, and only have the occasional coffee, foxandbee, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

That's great news.Thanks!

I have one tooth done, , I drink at least ten black coffees a day , drink turmeric tea a couple of times a day.
Eat a lot of homemade curries, beetroot and fruit/balsamic vinegars
It's not changed the appearance of my tooth (I was at dentist recently)

That's brilliant. How long have ou had the bonding, @Thistooshallpass24?

@QuietLurker Under a year, but mines guaranteed for two years by the orthodontist. ( When I say ten or more coffees I really mean about 15+!) its not changed at all

@QuietLurker if you do get one, don't let them square it! It doesnt look natural unless your other teeth are "square" too.( I had to explain that it stood out, the shape was off to my actual teeth), she made me a try on one! It just wasn't cured or whatever they do to make it permanent so she made the mix got that colour right but the shape needed tweaking

I've had composite bonding on my front teeth for years, to close a gap I don't like. I just get my dentist or the hygienist to give them a polish when I go and they are as good as new.

I think I hold the world record for these veneers. I had them done in 1990….and they are still going strong! No stains or anything! No fixes or replacements so far!

Is this better than having adult braces? Is it a quicker more uniform approach?

@SilverliningHunter Braces straighted your teeth composite alter the shape of a tooth by building it up. I see them as very different processes .

Woah, that's amazing! Have they really not gone yellow in all that time?

I've had them done already. But I know what you mean. Mine are slightly rounded, like my own teeth. For me, they're mostly building up the surface of a couple of teeth that are slightly set back, so they haven't changed the shape of the edges of my teeth at all.

Braces are definitely the gold standard, SilverliningHunter, and I did consider them, but felt I couldn't cope with them right now, for various reasons. If you have minor misalignment, composite veneers can camouflage that. But obviously there are limits to what it can do, and a good dentist would be honest with you about what's achievable, and all your other options.

For me, I wasn't looking for perfect Hollywood teeth, just a moderate improvement. I'm really pleased with the result, but I specifically wanted a subtle change, not something that would instantly scream 'she's had her teeth done.'

Mine are 20 years old, managed to get a tiny chip in one so I’ll need to go back but they look the same colour, I drink red wine, used to drink a lot of cola, juice, still love tea.

Wow, that's crazy, @RickyGervaislovesdogs! And these are composite veneers on your front teeth? Theres such variation in how long they last! If mine hold up half as well as that, I'll be very happy.

@QuietLurker Yes on my two front teeth- I do use a straw if drinking soft drinks, but not with red wine. I suspect it has a little to do with how good your oral hygiene is? (IDK). I visit the dentist every six months. If you look after them then they should last well.

@QuietLurker i had mine due to having a brace, that wasn't really a suitable option for me, although the orthodontist happily took my money and basically my teeth still aren't straight and move oh and I can't bite into food ( I have to bite from tnt side) so she built up a wonky tooth so it looks more uniform .
The actual NHS dentist I used to see there is also terrible so I've gone round on circles with them ( Bupa practise but NHS dentist) so now I don't have a dentist and I'm waiting until they get a new NHS dentist. If I leave the practise there is noone taking on NHS in my area or anywhere I can get to I don't drive and use a mobility scooter, which doesn't fit on buses.

That sounds really tough, @Thistooshallpass24. I hope your practice gets a new NHS dentist soon, who can help you out. I can't believe they've left you with unstable teeth and unable to bite.

@QuietLurker thank you it's definitely not ideal, the practise manager is absolutely not bothered! I've been with them at least 9 years and they get through staff (reception, dentists ) at a rate of knots! x

Sorry, bumping this thread again to ask what kind of toothpaste people have been using on their composite bonding. I know low abrasivity toothpaste is advised, and I've been using Sensodyne Pronamel gentle whitening, assuming it was OK, but now I'm wondering if I should steer clear of anything that claims to be 'whitening' as it may be too harsh 🤔

I have only ever used whitening toothpaste and never had any problems. I think the biggest issue would be wear and tear from your other teeth and not a toothpaste. However I'm not a dentist so don't listen to me!