Should I Whiten My Teeth Before or After Bonding?

When undergoing a smile makeover that combines teeth whitening and dental bonding, always have the teeth whitening treatment done first. The tooth-colored composite material used for dental bonding cannot be bleached, which means that if your teeth are not already the desired shade of white, you will need to get them re-bonded after you whiten your teeth. This can lengthen both the amount of time it takes and how much money it costs to complete your smile makeover project.

How long after whitening can you get bonding?

You must wait two weeks to get your teeth bonded after whitening them because the bleaching agent alters your tooth surface for a brief period. If you don't wait, the bonding might not adhere correctly and could fail. Waiting the full two weeks allows your tooth surface to return to normal and decreases the risk of failure.

Can you whiten bonded teeth?

A dazzling smile can boost your confidence and make a great first impression, but over time, teeth can become stained or discolored. While there are many teeth whitening treatments available, these products only work on natural tooth enamel and have little to no effect on bonded teeth.

Bonded teeth are those that have had a resin material bonded to them in order to improve their appearance.

This bonding process creates a seal that bleaching agents cannot break through, meaning that your bonded teeth will remain the same color as they were before you attempted to whiten your teeth. If you're looking for a way to achieve a uniform, white smile, there are two options:

Replace the bonding

After you whiten your teeth, you can go back to your cosmetic dentist and they will remove the resin from your bonded tooth. Then, they can do the bonding process again, but this time using a resin that is closer in color to your newly whitened teeth.

Get dental veneers

You might need to get your old resin removed and replaced with a veneer after a whitening treatment, which is what your dentist may recommend. Veneers are more permanent than bonding and made out of porcelain, meaning they won't absorb stains as easily. You'll probably have to go to the dentist for a few appointments before you can get one placed, but most patients believe it's worth it in the end.

Whitening your bonded teeth requires professional assistance.

If you want to achieve the best cosmetic results, speak with your dentist about whitening options before trying any at-home treatments. Professional whitening is more effective than over-the-counter products.

Your dentist will also be able to check the state of your teeth and see if any cosmetic treatments might endanger their health.

Once your teeth have reached the shade you want, our dental team can give you either a new bonding treatment or veneers.

Top Cosmetic Dentists in Raleigh

Williams, Daily and Frazier Dental is one of the top cosmetic dentists in Raleigh. We have years of experience in providing high-quality dental care and we take great pride in our work. Our team strives to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that last a lifetime.

If you're interested in teeth whitening or bonding, contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out what we can do for you. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.