I have dental bonding and they are beginning to stain. I know they don’t last as long as porcelain veneers, but I thought they would last longer than six and a half months. Will Supersmile toothpaste help them to whiten up again?

Paula

Dear Paula,

Whether or not Supersmile can help in your situation will depend on a few things. The first is whether the stains are internal or external. Nothing works on internal stains except for professional teeth whitening. Even then, it will only work on natural tooth structure and not on cosmetic work, such as your dental bonding.

If the stains are external, Supersmile could be a great option for you as long as the bonding still has its polish on it. Supersmile is one of the best things you can use for your teeth, especially when you have dental work. Most over-the-counter toothpastes are too abrasive. Supersmile works differently. It uses an enzyme known as Calprox that breaks down the protein pellicle. The stains bind to this pellicle and are removed safely.

If your dental bonding has lost its polish, then nothing will help except replacing the dental bonding. The timing of your staining makes me a bit suspicious. Is it possible you recently went in for a check up and cleaning? If so, did the hygienist use anything like a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride? If so, that would have taken the polish right off of them.

Your question also makes me wonder about the surface area of your treatment. Dental bonding is better for smaller areas, such as a gap or chip in a tooth. If you are talking about the entire front of the tooth, you are much better off with porcelain veneers. They last years longer and are much more stain resistant. In fact, they are even more stain resistant that your natural teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Alan Yount.