If your dental crown is no longer matching the colour of the surrounding teeth, then you might be asking yourself, What are my options? The short answer to this is that whitening does not work on crowns. So, don’t worry! There are ways to bring your smile to its original beauty, and a dentist in Leduc can let you know about the right method based on your needs. Let’s put this into basic terms.
Why Can’t You Whiten a Dental Crown Like Natural Teeth?
Teeth are comprised of enamel, and with time, enamel can absorb stains due to its porosity. As a result, there are many methods to whiten our natural teeth.
Dental crowns in Leduc are usually made up of materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or fused metal and are not porous, which means:
- They will not absorb stains like natural teeth will
- They will not react to whitening products
- Their shade is fired into the material in manufacturing and cannot be affected later
Thus, although whitening strips or professional whitening may brighten your natural teeth, the crown will stay the same colour while the whitening product affects the natural teeth.
Do Teeth Whitening Products Work on Crowns?
Here is the quick answer:
- Over-the-counter products such as whitening toothpaste or strips do not affect dental crowns
- Professional whitening done in a dental clinic may brighten the natural teeth, but does not change the colour of the crown.
- If you whiten the surrounding teeth and the shade of the crown does not match, it might even bring it out more!
How to Match Your Teeth Colour to a Crown
In such a case, what do you have if your crown is no longer the same colour as the teeth around it?
| Option | What It Means |
| Whiten natural teeth first | Whiten your teeth to the ideal shade before receiving a crown. |
| Custom-match your crown colour | Your crown is made to match your natural teeth at that time |
| Replace the crown | Your crown might need to be replaced to match if the colour of your teeth has changed. |
It is easiest to match if your teeth had all been the ideal shade before you had the crown placed. If that is not the case, you may notice the mismatch more over time.
Replacing vs Whitening Old Dental Crowns
A lot of patients inquire about replacing vs whitening old dental crowns. Because crowns do not respond to whitening, replacement is usually the only option if you want a brighter, more matching smile.
When to consider replacing a crown:
- Your crown appears yellow, dull or darker than your other teeth.
- Your natural teeth have been whitened, and the crown no longer matches.
- The crown is around ten to fifteen years old, and wear is starting to appear.
- While it does take some time to replace a crown, it can give your smile a natural and fresh appearance again.
Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened Like Natural Teeth?
Unfortunately, no. Crowns are not affected by whitening products, but there are possible solutions to restore a balanced smile. Whether that is whitening your teeth and replacing the crown or simply getting a better match when the crown is being made, a dentist near you can help you determine the route you’d like to take; it is possible to feel great about your smile again!
Your Smile, Refreshed – Visit Alpha Dental Health Centre Today
At Alpha Dental Health Centre, we fully understand how important it is for you to feel great about your smile. If you feel your crown no longer matches your other teeth or you are not certain what to do next, we can help. Our fully qualified and friendly team will help you explore any options available to you, whether that is whitening or replacements, so you can smile without hesitation.
Are you ready to refresh your smile? Schedule your appointment with Alpha Dental Health Centre and take the first step to a brighter and more even smile!
