You’ve probably seen the commercials. A person uses a whitening strip for a few days, and suddenly their smile looks ten years younger. It’s tempting to grab a box and give it a try. But if you have dental work like crowns or veneers, those at-home whitening kits won’t work the same way. In fact, they might leave you with a smile that looks a little uneven.
Dr. Quinn Woodruff at McLeansville Family & Cosmetic Dentistry hears this question all the time. “Can I whiten my crowns?” The short answer is no. But let’s break down why, and what you can do instead.
Why Crowns and Veneers Don’t Whiten
Whitening products only work on natural teeth. The bleaching agents in strips, gels, and professional treatments penetrate your enamel to break down stains. But crowns, veneers, and fillings are made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. Those materials don’t respond to bleach.
So if you whiten your natural teeth, they’ll get brighter. Your crowns and veneers? They’ll stay exactly the same color they were when they were placed. That’s how you end up with a two-tone smile. Your natural teeth look whiter, but your crowns stand out because they didn’t change. Not the look you were going for.
What If My Crowns Look Dark or Stained?
A porcelain crown itself won’t stain like a natural tooth. Coffee, tea, and red wine won’t soak into it the same way. That’s actually one of the benefits of porcelain. But over the years, wear and tear can change how it looks. It’s frustrating when a crown starts looking dull or discolored. But it’s usually not a stain you can wipe away.
Sometimes the porcelain has worn thin over time, and the darker material underneath is showing through. Other times, the crown just doesn’t match your surrounding teeth anymore because your natural teeth have shifted color.
So What Can You Do?
You have a few options, depending on your goals and your budget.
- Whiten first, then match later: If you’re thinking about getting new crowns or veneers, it’s actually smarter to whiten your natural teeth before the crowns are made. Then Dr. Woodruff can choose a shade that matches your newly brightened smile. That way, everything blends seamlessly.
- Replace old crowns: If your crowns have been around for a while and they’re looking tired, you might just replace them with fresh ones. New porcelain crowns can match your natural teeth (or that gorgeous white shade you’ve always wanted).
- Professional whitening plus polishing: Sometimes a little professional polishing can freshen up a crown’s surface. And if your natural teeth could use a boost, we can whiten those while leaving your crowns alone. Just know that they won’t match perfectly until your natural teeth settle into their new shade.
The “Before You Whiten” Checklist
If you’re considering whitening, here’s what we recommend:
- See us first: Dr. Woodruff can examine your smile and point out which teeth are natural and which are restored.
- Know your goal: Are you trying to brighten everything, or just refresh a few teeth?
- Consider timing: If you’re planning to replace any crowns or veneers, do the whitening first.
We’ll Help You Plan Your Smile
Dr. Woodruff doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. He’ll look at your smile, listen to your goals, and walk you through your options. Maybe you’re a great candidate for professional whitening. Maybe it’s time to replace that older crown. Or maybe you need a combination of both. Either way, you’ll leave with a clear plan.
Want to brighten your smile the right way? Call 336-506-6545 or request an appointment online. Let’s figure out what works best for you.