Can You Whiten Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings? Here’s What You Need to Know

Many people want a white, brilliant smile, and teeth whitening is now one of the most requested cosmetic dental treatments. However, when you are already having a dental restoration (crowns, veneers, fillings, etc.), you might have an idea: “Will teeth whitening work on it, too?”

The short answer is not always.

This blog will explore how teeth whitening and dental work each respond, why some materials are inert to bleaching, and what to do when your restorations are no longer your shade due to your teeth getting to focused white. Let’s dive in:

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Table of Content

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a process in which the dentist employs the use of bleaches to remove stains present on the surface of your teeth. Such agents are rubbed into the porous enamel and act on the discoloration caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or passing years. Once the peroxide is broken, it emits oxygen molecules to lighten the stains, lightening the tooth colour to a whiter tone. Whitening is done in-chair with the assistance of a dentist and is quick, or is delivered as take-home kits, which require some days.

One should add that whitening will never affect dentures, crowns, veneers, and fillings, which will not lighten. In any whitening treatment, one should first visit a dentist to attain the best results.

Why Doesn’t Teeth Whitening Affect Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings?

Teeth whitening methods involve peroxide-based agents, which remove stains by dissolving natural enamel. But crowns, veneers, and fillers consist of porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin, which do not stain and are non-porous. Due to this, their colour cannot be penetrated or modified with whitening agents.

Such restorations are colour stable and durable in nature and as such do not react to bleaching as the natural teeth would. Consequently, whitening of the teeth alone and having visible dental work might be a mismatch because natural teeth will be whitened, but crowns, veneers, or fillings will not change.

What Happens If You Whiten Teeth That Have Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings?

When you have any dental work done, like crowns, veneers, or composite fillings on your front teeth, it helps to know how whitening will affect you. This implies that your original teeth will become lighter, whereas your restorations will remain unchanged.

Noticeable Mismatch in Your Smile

The change in colour can be evident after a whitening session, particularly when you have visible restorations. The typical situations are

Front teeth veneers or crowns, which cannot be bleached as much as newly whitened natural teeth
Composite bonding on the teeth edges that has stopped fitting in
Dark fillings in or around the mouth in the area of the smile, front teeth and contrasting with lighter enamel

This contrast may make the impression that the whitening did not work or that your smile is uneven now. The treatment did what it was supposed to do. It simply did not work on the non-natural substances.

Using the Difference

Even though such a difference can be rather disappointing at first, it can be effectively managed. Your dentist may suggest that older restorations be replaced with brighter, matching ones or composite bonding to adjust the contrast. This can be planned to a certain degree to seek the natural appearance of the effect.

Options to Match Your Restorations After Whitening Treatment

In case your natural teeth are whitened but restorations fall out of place, your dentist might suggest one of the following:

Reconstruction of Current Restorations

Your dentist may suggest that you replace older crowns, veneers, or fillings, which can be matched with your whiter teeth. This is applicable particularly to the front teeth that are visible. It gives the smoothest and most natural-appearing finish, but when several restorations are required, it may be costly. Even so, it can be the most superior option when it comes to teeth that are uniformly white.

Composite Bonding Trade-In

Your dentist may recommend a touch-up of the composite bonding to be done in case you have minor fillings or variances in the colour. This is going through the process of resurfacing or placing new resin material that matches your whitened teeth. It is a relatively low-cost, minimally invasive means to enhance aesthetics but may need regular repair, as the composite may discolour with use. Perfect when there is a slight misfit that requires no complete replacement or restoration.

Partial Veneers/Add-Ons

Some patients will choose partial veneers or extra veneers on multiple teeth in order to have a consistently white smile. This facilitates the merging of any aesthetic variations between the natural tooth and present restorations.

Although this can provide very good cosmetic enhancement, it is more invasive, and some enamel may be removed. It is an appropriate option when some of the visible teeth need improvement to give a harmonious appearance.

Whitening Tips for Patients With Existing Dental Restorations

Even after having fillings, veneers, or crowns, it does not mean that you cannot safely whiten your teeth. The best outcome just requires you to have a custom plan.

The following are some professional tips to take into consideration:

See Your Dentist First

At least consult your dentist before you commence any whitening treatment, especially when using over-the-counter whitening kits. They will evaluate your restorations, coloration deviations, and general oral condition.

Touch-Up or Replace Plan

Older restorations may need to be replaced (more so in the front teeth), and you may need to be prepared to do this in the same colour as the new tooth.

Avoid DIY Whitening Kits Unsupervised

Whitening strips sold over the counter or in kits are fickle, and uneven results may be obtained when restorations are an issue. Industry mentorship is safer and more efficient.

Before-and-After Photos Taken

Ask your dentist to record your smile so that you can monitor the progress and make informed decisions in regard to changes.

Should You Whiten Before or After Getting Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings?

When getting crowns, veneers, or tooth-coloured fillings, particularly on front teeth, have it done after the whitening treatment. Why? Since you have your teeth restored to match their colour at the point of installation. When you whiten your natural teeth with dental work, your restorations will not be whitened, and thus the mismatch is pronounced.

Whitening Does Not React on Restorations

Artificial enamel such as porcelain, ceramic, and optionally composite resin never fades in colour during peroxide-based whitening procedures. Post-restorative whitening implies that only the natural teeth whiten, making fillings or veneers appear noticeably darker.

Schedule Your Treatment

A natural smile needs to be undertaken as follows in order to have a smooth smile:

Get your natural teeth whitened (in-chair/take-home).
The final tooth shade should stabilise 1014 days after whitening.
Have new restorations fitted or old ones modified to match the new shade.

This method maintains a smooth, even appearance, and one does not need to do a recap to remove the expensive dental work.

Final Thoughts

The presence of crowns, veneers, and fillings does not prevent you having a whiter smile, but requires a bit of planning. Dental work and teeth whitening can be a great combination in the right order and with experienced supervision.

Therefore, whether you are new to whitening or want to improve what you already have, discuss your options and make a plan with your dentist.

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