Tooth bonding is intended to look natural and blend in with the rest of the teeth. If they don’t quite match or look right, the issue usually lies within the shape or shade of the composite resin used for the bonding.
The Composite Resin Doesn’t Match
This is probably the most common issue, where the bonded tooth looks too white in comparison to the others. The bonding material comes in a variety of shades so that it can match the patient’s teeth.
However, the natural teeth are not one solid color. The edges tend to be more transparent while the part closer to the gum line is often darker. A bonded tooth that has the same shade throughout may appear too plastic-like to be realistic.
The Shape Isn’t Natural
The teeth in your mouth should all have very similar shapes. They may not be perfectly identical, but there should be some difference to make them look like they’re not just plastic squares. For instance, one tooth may have a higher tip on the biting edge than the others, or it might curve slightly to one side.
A bonding that makes the tooth look too wide or causes it to stick out unnaturally will make it look fake. In some cases, the front of the bonded tooth may protrude more than the others to make it look puffed up.
The Surface Has an Unnatural Shine
One of the key characteristics of natural teeth is their surface sheen. Composite resins should be polished to imitate that, but they can end up being too reflective instead, or not reflective enough.
An unnatural shine, especially if it doesn’t match the surrounding teeth, can make bonding look fake. Having too angular of a surface can also make bonding look fake, especially if the other teeth don’t have that kind of structure.
The Bonding Doesn’t Match the Rest of Your Teeth
Depending on how much resin was used, the bonding can fail to match the shape of the other teeth. This could either be because the dentist used some special resin to cover a large part of the tooth or they made a mistake and bonded too much of it.
Signs That Your Bonding May Look Unnatural
Other teeth look whiter than the bonded ones outdoors.
When you bite down, it seems like the bonded tooth is too wide to match the others.
There’s a noticeable line around the bonded tooth that keeps drawing the eye to it.
Never attempt to fix bonding material yourself by shaving or buffing it. You run the risk of permanently damaging the composite resin and/or your natural teeth.
Can Fake-Looking Tooth Bonding Be Fixed?
It can, for the most part. You’ll need to go back to the dentist to see if they can either fix the bonding by reshaping and buffing it to make it look more natural, or replace it if they think the shade was the issue.
Visit our page on composite bonding London to explore treatment options, costs, and expert advice.
The insights shared in our articles are meant to educate and inform, not to replace a face-to-face consultation. Every smile is unique, and a proper diagnosis can only be made by a qualified clinical professional. Please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist for advice tailored to your specific oral health needs.
