Teeth whitening is an aesthetic treatment. However, it is one of the essential treatments people should consider to achieve whiter, brighter, healthier teeth. However, people with crowns are still determining whether they can go for teeth whitening treatments, whether it will work on them or affect their overall smile. So, in this article, we will ponder these questions to understand if you can whiten your teeth if you have a crown.
If you have similar doubts, you can rely on this article. Additionally, if you are in Kirkland, you can consult an expert Kirkland dental office to learn about crowns and teeth whitening procedures.
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It is made of porcelain, metal, or ceramic and designed to match the color of your natural teeth at the time of their placement. It is commonly seen that traditional teeth whitening treatments become difficult to use on crowns.
Why Don’t Crowns Whiten?
There are teeth whitening treatments, such as in-office treatments, in which bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or other solutions break down stains on the surface and within the enamel of natural teeth. However, this will not work on custom-made crowns made of materials that do not change color when exposed to bleaching agents. Thus, natural teeth become the only receptor of teeth whitening treatments.
What are the Options for Whitening Crowns?
When you have used and whitened the crowns, other simple procedures are available for you. Some approaches you can take to whiten your teeth are as follows.
Whiten Before Getting a Crown
If you plan to get a crown, you must consider whitening your natural teeth first. In this way, you can ensure that the dentist can match the color of your natural white teeth, and thus, the crown will also be the same color. There will be a seamless blend between the crown and your natural teeth.
Replace Your Crown After Whitening
If there is a case when you have already used the crown and after this, you have to undergo teeth whitening, then the crown will not match the whitened teeth. Thus, in this case, you can replace your crowns to match your new tooth color. In this approach, there will be an additional cost for your dental work, but it will be worth your whiter and brighter smile.
Consider the Involvement of Alternative Cosmetic Products
If you do not want to replace your crowns, you can explore other cosmetic options such as veneers and bonding. These treatments will help achieve a uniform appearance. They will help you cover the front surface of your teeth, which will cover both the natural teeth and crowns for a cohesive look.
Maintain Regular Dental Health
It is considered as one of the important procedures which you must consider whether there are crowns or not. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings are essential to keep your natural teeth and crowns in good condition. Crowns don’t get stains as the natural teeth do, but they accumulate surface stains from coffee, tobacco, or tea. Professional cleanings must help you look for the best dental health.
So, these are some of the essential ways to achieve whitening and brightening of teeth even after having a crown. However, you must consult a dentist before using any whitening element for your crowns. An experienced dentist will recommend the best solutions for your crowns and teeth whitening while using crowns. So, it would help if you always took expert advice from the dentists.
