How long does bonding last on front teeth?

[[email protected]]

When I was 9 yo I broke my left front tooth in half. I had a bonded filling placed and it lasted until I was 17 yo and I needed it replaced because there was a cavity forming around one of the edges. When I went in the dentist told me I should just get a crown because every time they do this procedure they have to shave away more and more of my real tooth. Eventually there won't be enough to support a bonded filling. I told him I would down the road but wasn't ready to have a "fake" front tooth at 17. So the bonded filling was placed... fast forward and I'm now 26 with the same bonded filling.

Three years ago a dentist told me that I needed a crown but because I have permanent uneven staining on my teeth, from tetracycline as a child, that it would be easier to crown both front teeth and then place veneers on the other 8 front as they're all stained and I have a very wide smile. But, because of my anxiety of dental procedures, I didn't return for 3 years.

I now have a new dentist and both he and another dentist in the office have taken x-rays and examined my tooth. There was staining on the front where the filling met my tooth and it was smoothed off. They've both determined it doesn't need to be removed and don't know why the first dentist was pushing for a crown. I'm thinking maybe because I have those hairline cracks through my enamel... maybe making the teeth weaker?

My questions are:

1. How much longer will this filling last if it's already almost 10 years old?
2. Can I just get another bonded filling next or will I need a crown?
3. Should I seek out a cosmetic dentist to place the crowns/ bonded filling or is going to a general dentist okay? ( He's young but says he's placed over 1000. I don't think he has a book to look through. I go through a dental clinic and he's one of the "staff teaching dentists".)

 

[[email protected]]

Anyone?

 

[chazzaroux]

I'm not a dentist and I'm no expert, but I too have had to have a chipped tooth fixed.. I'm 41 and when I was 36 my son threw a ball at his baby sister (who was 4 months old at the time) and I dove in front of it to save her from getting hit. Sadly I was hit in the mouth instead and chipped my front tooth... My dentist put the bonding filling stuff on it (with no novicane and it didn't even hurt thank goodness), About 3 yrs later the filling chipped a bit, so he went ahead and redid it, I asked him then if I was going to need a crown, he said "maybe a while down the road, but as long as we can use the bonding we will" I have to go in tomorrow due to a cavity that has formed on the other front tooth next to the broken tooth and he's going to fix both at the same time.. Yes the more times they fill it, the more original tooth will be "shaved" away because they do have to "rough up' the tooth for the bonding agents to adhere.. But taken care of it can last for many many years.. My dentist told me that I could no longer eat things like corn on the cob (have to take it off the cob LOL) or bit into an apple (slice it only) because it is just a filling, but there was no reason to talk about crowns on that tooth right now... My dentist is not quick to put on a crown either, if you don't need then you don't get one..

I would say take the advice of your current dentists after all they have your xrays, crowns can be expensive (I have one of them too) so the longer you can hold off on one then I say the better

 

[chazzaroux]

I was also told that the cracks you are describing are called "microcracks" in the enamel. but they don't hurt or effect the tooth. My dentists said it is mainly because of eating hard foods like nuts (which I LOVE) or chewing ice cubes (eww )

 

[[email protected]]

Thank you so much for responding. That's good to hear. I still have half the tooth left so I'm crossing my fingers that they can just redo the bonded filling instead of put a crown on. The price of a crown is scary for a front tooth!! Between my son and daughter head butting me and hitting it off a glass a couple times a year, I'm surprised it hasn't broken or chipped yet. But I'm so grateful it's holding strong.

I grind my teeth at night and up until this year never used a mouth gaurd. I think that's why I have those microcracks.

 

[chazzaroux]

Yes grinding your teeth can definitely cause those microcracks... most people have them from what my dentist has told me though..

Glad I could help.. trust me I understand the kid thing and the head butting to the face.. not to mention failing limbs when accidentally falling asleep on me and I move LOL. Oh and 1 year at Mardi Gras (a Louisiana festival and holiday) I got hit in the mouth with a bag of beads and caused it to bleed. to be honest I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has with the torture I and my kids give it

 

[sleeplessinseattle]

My brother took a rock to the lip and upper tooth when he was about 10 years old. He has had the bond repaired multiple times but has not needed a crown. It was a fairly small chip but it was just about 30 years ago. I would keep up with the bonding and get a couple of opinions before going with the crown. (The opinions could be just another dentist or two in the same office).

 

[Lavender998]

Thank goodness you didnt take the advice of the dentist three years ago. You're doing all the right things by wearing a nightguard. Please avoid any purely cosmetic work if you can help it. If they can replace the composite keep going for that. A good dentist won't "shave away" bits of the tooth to replace composite. They just have to etch the tooth with acid. Only go for a crown if the tooth decays and develops an infection.

 

[[email protected]]

The dentist that did the second bonding told me they have to shave it down every time. I would love for them to not have to so I'll ask my new dentist how they do it there. I think it's stained now because I can see my real tooth underneath the bonding pretty clearly and never could up until this past year. It still looks okay, so I'll hold onto it until they say it's time. I'm so not looking forward to getting it redone or replaced with a crown. :/