A bright, white smile is something many people strive for, and teeth whitening is a popular way to achieve that goal. But what happens when you have dental crowns? Can teeth whitening products work on crowns too, or will they be left looking the same? In this article, we’ll explore how teeth whitening affects crowns, the different types of crowns, and what you can do to achieve a bright smile even if you have them.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap or covering that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are often used for teeth that are:
- Broken or severely worn down
- Decayed or damaged beyond repair
- Cracked or weakened
- Used in dental bridges
Crowns can be made from various materials, including:
- Porcelain: Porcelain crowns are known for their natural look and ability to match the color of your natural teeth. They’re often used for front teeth.
- Metal: Metal crowns are more durable but don’t match the color of your natural teeth. They’re often used for back teeth.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): These crowns combine the durability of metal with the appearance of porcelain.
- Resin: Resin crowns are more affordable but may wear down more quickly than other types.
While crowns can improve the appearance of damaged teeth, they don’t always respond to whitening treatments the same way as natural teeth. This can lead to some challenges when trying to brighten your smile.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening products, whether in the form of toothpaste, strips, gels, or professional treatments, use chemicals that break down stains on your teeth. The most common active ingredient in these products is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These chemicals penetrate the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and break up the molecules that cause staining, resulting in a whiter appearance.
Whitening works on natural tooth enamel because it affects the molecules in the enamel, breaking up the stains and making the tooth appear brighter. However, the whitening process doesn’t work the same way on crowns, as they are made from materials that don’t respond to these chemicals in the same way as natural tooth enamel.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Crowns?
The short answer is no, teeth whitening does not work on crowns in the same way it works on natural teeth. Here’s why:
- Materials Don’t Absorb Whitening Products: Crowns, especially porcelain and metal crowns, are made from materials that do not respond to the whitening agents in the same way that natural enamel does. These materials are not porous like natural tooth enamel, so the whitening chemicals cannot penetrate and break down stains.
- No Chemical Reaction: The chemical process used in teeth whitening treatments doesn’t affect the materials used in crowns. Unlike natural enamel, which can react to hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, crowns are chemically inert and won’t change color.
- Stains on Crowns: While whitening won’t change the color of the crown itself, it is possible for stains to develop on the surface of the crown. These stains can result from foods, drinks, tobacco, or poor oral hygiene, just like stains on natural teeth. However, these surface stains are different from the deep stains that whitening can remove from natural teeth.
What Happens When Your Natural Teeth Are Whitened but You Have Crowns?
If you whiten your natural teeth but have crowns on some of them, you may notice a color mismatch. Here’s why:
- Natural Teeth Become Whiter: When you use whitening products, the natural teeth will become brighter, but the crowns won’t change color.
- Crowns May Look Duller: Since the crowns don’t change color, they may appear duller or darker in comparison to your newly whitened natural teeth.
- Visible Difference in Color: The contrast between your natural teeth and your crowns can make the crowns stand out and look less natural. This is especially noticeable with front teeth where cosmetic appearance is crucial.
This is a common issue for people who get crowns and later decide to whiten their natural teeth. If you plan on whitening your teeth, it’s important to consider the effect on any crowns or other dental work you may have.
Can You Whiten Crowns?
While you can’t whiten crowns with traditional teeth-whitening products, there are some things you can do to improve their appearance:
1. Professional Cleaning
If you have surface stains on your crowns, a professional cleaning at the dentist’s office may help remove them. Dentists have specialized tools and cleaning agents that can polish and clean the surface of your crowns, making them look brighter.
- Scaling and Polishing: Your dentist can remove stains caused by food, drink, and smoking through a professional cleaning.
- Air Polishing: Air polishing is another technique that uses a combination of water, air, and a fine powder to remove surface stains from crowns.
2. Replacing Old Crowns
If your crowns are old and have lost their luster or have developed stains that can’t be removed with cleaning, your dentist may suggest replacing them with new ones. New crowns can be matched to the color of your whitened natural teeth, providing a more uniform and natural-looking smile.
- Material Options: If you’re replacing old crowns, your dentist can use more aesthetic materials, like porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, which can be matched to your natural teeth color.
3. Touch-up with Toothpaste
If you have minor surface stains on your crowns, using a whitening toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth or non-abrasive whitening toothpaste can help remove some stains. However, this method won’t change the color of the crown significantly.
- Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste: Don’t use overly abrasive whitening toothpaste on your crowns, as it can scratch the surface of the crown, making it more prone to future staining.
What Are the Best Options for Whitening Teeth with Crowns?
If you want a brighter smile but have crowns, here are some options you can consider:
1. Zoom! Whitening
Zoom! is a professional in-office whitening treatment that your dentist can apply to your natural teeth. While it won’t change the color of your crowns, it can make your natural teeth significantly whiter. After your whitening treatment, your dentist can replace or touch up your crowns if necessary to ensure they match the new color of your natural teeth.
2. Take-Home Whitening Kits
If you want to whiten your teeth at home, talk to your dentist about custom take-home whitening kits. These kits are personalized for your mouth and usually include trays that fit over your teeth. While your crowns won’t change color, you’ll still be able to whiten your natural teeth.
3. Veneers for a Uniform Look
If you have multiple crowns and want a consistent appearance, your dentist might suggest getting veneers. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain placed over your existing teeth, and they can be customized to match the color of your surrounding teeth. Veneers can be placed on both natural teeth and crowns for a more uniform smile.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening is an effective way to brighten your natural teeth, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work on dental crowns. Crowns are made from materials that don’t respond to whitening agents the same way as natural tooth enamel. If you have crowns and want to brighten your smile, it’s important to be aware of the potential for a color mismatch between your crowns and natural teeth after whitening.
While you can’t whiten crowns, you can still take steps to improve their appearance, such as professional cleaning, replacing old crowns, or getting veneers. If you’re considering whitening your teeth and you have crowns, consult with your dentist to discuss the best options for achieving a bright, beautiful smile that works for both your natural teeth and dental restorations.