Teeth whitening with crowns and veneers

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures for achieving a brighter smile. However, if you have dental restorations such as crowns or veneers, whitening your natural teeth can become more complicated. While crowns and veneers are designed to match the natural color of your teeth, they do not respond to traditional teeth whitening treatments in the same way as natural enamel.

In this article, we’ll explore how teeth whitening affects crowns and veneers, the options for achieving a balanced and natural-looking smile, and the best practices for maintaining your teeth’s appearance when you have these restorations.

Understanding how teeth whitening works

Teeth whitening treatments, whether done professionally or with over-the-counter products, use bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains and discoloration in tooth enamel. These agents penetrate the outer layer of the tooth, oxidizing the stains and making the teeth appear whiter.

However, crowns, veneers, and other dental restorations are made from materials like porcelain or composite resin, which are not porous like natural enamel. This means they do not absorb the whitening agents and will not change color when subjected to teeth whitening treatments.

Key points about teeth whitening:

• Natural teeth: Whitening treatments work by removing stains from the outer layer of natural tooth enamel.
• Crowns and veneers: These are made from non-porous materials that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments.

Can crowns and veneers be whitened?

The simple answer is no—crowns, veneers, and other restorations cannot be whitened using standard teeth whitening procedures. Unlike natural teeth, these materials are resistant to bleaching agents, so their color remains unchanged, even after whitening treatments.

This presents a challenge if your natural teeth become stained or discolored over time, or if you want to whiten your smile after having crowns or veneers placed. The result can be a mismatch between the color of your natural teeth and your restorations.

Why crowns and veneers don’t whiten:

• Porcelain or composite resin: The materials used in crowns and veneers are not porous like tooth enamel, meaning they do not absorb the bleaching agents.
• Pre-existing color: Crowns and veneers are created in a specific color to match the shade of your natural teeth at the time of placement. This color is permanent and cannot be altered through whitening treatments.

Teeth whitening options if you have crowns or veneers

While traditional whitening methods won’t change the color of crowns and veneers, there are still ways to achieve a whiter, more uniform smile. The approach you take will depend on whether you already have crowns or veneers or are considering them in the future.

Whitening natural teeth before getting crowns or veneers

If you are planning to get crowns or veneers but also want a whiter smile, it is best to whiten your natural teeth before your restorations are made. This way, the crowns or veneers can be matched to your newly whitened teeth, giving you a bright, uniform smile from the start.

Steps to take:

1. Whiten your teeth first: Undergo a professional teeth whitening treatment to achieve your desired shade before getting crowns or veneers.
2. Match the restorations to your whitened teeth: Your dentist will select the shade for your crowns or veneers based on your whitened teeth, ensuring a seamless match.
3. Maintain your teeth’s color: After your restorations are placed, maintain your natural teeth’s whiteness with good oral hygiene and periodic touch-up whitening treatments as needed.

Whitening your teeth if you already have crowns or veneers

If you already have crowns or veneers and want to whiten your natural teeth, it is important to understand that while the natural teeth will respond to whitening, the crowns or veneers will not. This can result in uneven coloring, with your natural teeth becoming whiter than your restorations.

Options to consider:

1. Whiten your natural teeth, then replace the restorations: If you are committed to whitening your smile, one option is to whiten your natural teeth and then replace your existing crowns or veneers with new ones that match the lighter shade.

• Pros: This approach allows you to achieve a uniformly white smile, with both your natural teeth and restorations in the same shade.
• Cons: Replacing crowns or veneers can be expensive, and it requires additional dental work.

1. Professional cleaning for restorations: While whitening agents won’t change the color of crowns or veneers, professional dental cleaning can remove surface stains from your restorations. This may help them look fresher and more aligned with your whitened teeth.

• Pros: Non-invasive and more affordable than replacing restorations.
• Cons: This will not significantly alter the color of the restorations but can only remove surface stains.

1. Consider composite bonding for minor adjustments: If the color difference between your natural teeth and your restorations is minimal, your dentist may be able to use composite bonding to adjust the color of your teeth or restorations. Bonding materials can be applied and color-matched to blend more seamlessly with your smile.

Maintaining your smile after whitening

Whether or not you have crowns or veneers, it is important to maintain the results of teeth whitening with good oral hygiene and regular dental care. Here are some tips to help keep your teeth and restorations looking their best:

• Brush and floss regularly: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque and prevent staining.
• Use whitening toothpaste: A whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains from your natural teeth and maintain the brightness of your smile.
• Avoid staining foods and drinks: Limit your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and foods that can stain your teeth. If you do consume these, rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce the chance of staining.
• Consider touch-up whitening treatments: Periodic touch-up whitening treatments can help maintain the color of your natural teeth. Consult with your dentist about the best options for maintaining a uniform appearance when you have crowns or veneers.

When to replace crowns or veneers

If your crowns or veneers have become discolored or no longer match the shade of your natural teeth after whitening, you may consider replacing them. Replacing crowns and veneers is an option if:

• The restorations are worn, stained, or damaged: Over time, crowns and veneers can become worn or stained, especially if they are older or have been exposed to certain foods and beverages. Replacing them with new ones can refresh your smile.
• Your natural teeth are significantly whiter than your restorations: If there is a noticeable difference between the color of your natural teeth and your crowns or veneers, replacing the restorations may be the best way to achieve a cohesive, bright smile.
• You want a long-lasting, uniform result: New crowns or veneers can be custom-made to match your current tooth color, ensuring that your smile looks natural and even.

How to replace crowns or veneers:

• Consult with your dentist: Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your existing crowns or veneers and help determine if replacing them is the best option.
• Custom color matching: When replacing crowns or veneers, your dentist will work with you to choose a shade that matches your whitened natural teeth for a seamless, natural look.
• Choose durable materials: Newer materials like porcelain and advanced composite resins are highly stain-resistant, ensuring your new restorations maintain their color for years.

Conclusion

Teeth whitening with crowns and veneers requires a thoughtful approach to achieve a balanced and natural-looking smile. Since crowns and veneers do not respond to traditional whitening treatments, it’s important to plan ahead if you are considering both whitening and dental restorations. Whitening your natural teeth before getting crowns or veneers allows you to match the restorations to your brighter smile. If you already have crowns or veneers, you may need to consider replacing them after whitening your natural teeth to maintain a uniform appearance.

Regardless of your situation, working closely with your dentist will help you achieve the best results, whether through whitening, restoration replacement, or professional cleaning. Maintaining good oral hygiene and limiting exposure to staining agents can also help preserve the brightness of both your natural teeth and your restorations over time.