Tooth whitening can give you a better smile in a relatively short period of time. Many patients want to know whether they can get their crowns, veneers, or implants whitened because they have started to develop stains and discolouration in certain areas. The truth of the matter is, while you can whiten your teeth, you can’t bleach dental restorations. Here is more on the topic.
Key Takeaways of Ceramic Teeth Whitening
- Teeth whitening with implants, crowns, dentures, and veneers is possible but the tooth restorations themselves cannot be bleached if they develop stains
- When making your decision to whiten your teeth, you should consider the risk of your teeth becoming whiter than your prosthetics
- Before you proceed to whiten your teeth, please talk to someone who specialises in cosmetic dentistry, especially if you have crowns or veneers
- Brown lines in the area where the tooth meets porcelain veneers might be a sign of receding gum line
Can I Whiten Ceramic Teeth Like Dental Implant?
The short answer is, dental implants cannot be bleached. Since it’s easier to match the colour of the dental prosthetics to the natural teeth, not vice versa, dental implants are typically set in a shade that’s closest to your natural tooth colour. This means that you don’t need to bleach them.
Be that as it may, your teeth may turn yellow over time compromising the results you previously achieved. If your natural teeth have changed in colour and you want your implant to make a perfect match, you can replace the dental crown with one that is the same colour as your teeth. Although that’s going to take an extra trip to the dentist and cost you some money, it is still an acceptable solution.
Yet, a much better option would be to schedule a tooth whitening session with your dentist for a more confident smile. The bleaching agent will not affect the dental material in any way, so it’s perfectly okay to have the procedure. However, there is one thing to keep in mind: you need to match the colour of the implants. Otherwise, it will be obvious that they are artificial.
Make sure to read our post about diet and after care tips to maintain your whitening results.
Can I Whiten Crowns?
A dental crown is generally made of the same materials as the top layer of implants, so similar rules apply here. It cannot be whitened but it won’t be an obstacle if you choose to whiten your natural teeth.
Before you do that, you should weigh down the pros and cons of this plan of action. If the dental crowns are positioned at the back of your teeth, they won’t be as visible, which means you don’t need to have them replaced. If they are close to the front surface of your teeth, that's a different story. All in all, before you get crowns, you need to have a conversation with your dentist about their effects on your smile and appearance.
Can I Whiten Veneers?
Once they are placed in your mouth, dental veneers cannot be whitened. The same applies to all kinds of bonding materials, as mentioned earlier. Whitening products are used only on natural teeth, not on veneers. Thus, if they darken, they will have to be replaced with new ones that fit the current shade of your teeth.
It is important to differentiate the two types of materials that veneers are usually made of. Composite veneers tend to grow stains over time as a result of exposure to certain foods and bad habits like smoking. They may not stain as easily as your natural tooth enamel, but they are still going to get there someday. Now, veneers made of porcelain will maintain the same shade and are not affected by the foods or drinks you consume. It’s all a matter of porosity.
If you want to do a combination of both procedures, it is recommended that you have traditional whitening treatments booked first before you move on to your veneer appointment. This way, you will enjoy a beautiful smile that looks natural and is free of imperfections. All things considered, you should look for dental professionals who can take good care of your smile and provide you with a treatment strictly adapted to your needs.
We often get asked if people should get veneers instead of whitening their teeth. To answer that, we've written a dedicated article comparing teeth whitening vs veneers.
What’s the Deal with Porcelain Veneers?
Without a doubt, porcelain veneers are at an advantage because they are highly resistant to staining. But because you will probably have them for many years, this may turn out to be a problem. The reason is simple. Your teeth may change in colour over time contrasting directly with the dental prosthetics. This will put an emphasis on some parts of your mouth, making it pretty obvious that you are using artificial materials.
A similar thing can happen if you choose to use teeth whitening products after you place your veneers. Your teeth will become a few shades brighter than your veneers. This will compromise your smile.
What Other Issues Can There be with Veneers?
While porcelain veneers aren’t prone to staining, some patients get small brown lines alongside the site at which the tooth meets the veneers. This might indicate a gum recession. In that case, you should consult your dentist to see what steps can be taken to slow down the process.