Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?
When you get your teeth whitened, you’ll discover that your crowns, bridges, or other restorations cannot be whitened as your natural teeth can. Natural teeth are porous and can be made brighter using a bleaching agent, whereas a crown is made of a nonporous material, like porcelain or composite resin, which do not react to bleaching agents.
How to Whiten Your Smile with a Crown
To get whiter teeth and make sure your crowns match, there are two ways to achieve that:
If your crown has not been placed yet, it’s best to have your teeth whitened to your goal shade first before having the crown made and placed. Once your teeth are the desired shade, then the crown can be manufactured and shade-matched to your teeth.
If you already have a crown, and you want a whiter smile, you can whiten your teeth first, then have your old crowns replaced with crowns that match the shade of your teeth. This method is much easier than having your crown manufactured in your goal shade and then trying to whiten your teeth to match the shade of your crown.
Sometimes whitening your teeth to your goal shade can take multiple rounds of treatment. Make sure to wait at least two weeks between treatments, to ensure your teeth do not sustain too much damage, and because it can take this long for your teeth to set into their new color.
After having your teeth whitened, it is up to you now to maintain the shade of your teeth and restorations and prevent stains. Make sure to:
Avoid foods, beverages, and habits that stain teeth, like berries, coffee, or smoking.
Keep a diligent dental hygiene routine.
Use whitening toothpaste and a whitening mouthwash once every few days.
See your dentist regularly for cleanings and maintenance treatments if your teeth become stained.
If you want to whiten your teeth and your crowns, call Ridge View Dental to schedule an appointment!