Can You Whiten Dental Crowns or Veneers? (What You Need to Know)

Enhancing Your Smile in Cincinnati and Mason

Many patients visit our offices in Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio, wanting a brighter, more confident smile. If you have older dental work, you might be looking in the mirror and wondering, can you whiten crowns or veneers? It is a very common question, especially since teeth whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic dental treatments.

While traditional whitening works wonders on natural teeth, dental restorations play by a different set of rules. In this guide, we will explain exactly how teeth whitening interacts with crowns and veneers and what your options are for achieving a seamless, radiant smile.

The Short Answer: Can You Whiten Crowns or Veneers?

The simple answer is no. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), whitening treatments will not work on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings.

Standard whitening products rely on bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These chemicals penetrate the microscopic pores of natural tooth enamel to break down stains. However, materials used to make dental crowns and porcelain veneers are completely non-porous. They are designed to resist stains, which also means they resist bleaching agents.

What Happens If You Try to Whiten Teeth With Restorations?

You might be tempted to try an over-the-counter whitening kit even if you have crowns or veneers. While the bleaching gel will not damage your dental work, it will lead to an uneven smile.

Because the bleach only lightens your natural teeth, your surrounding teeth will become noticeably brighter while your crowns or veneers will remain their original color. This creates a mismatched appearance where your restorations stand out as darker or more yellow than the rest of your smile.

How to Brighten a Smile That Has Crowns or Veneers

Even though you cannot bleach a crown or veneer, you still have excellent options for refreshing your smile. Here is what we recommend.

• Get a Professional Cleaning: Sometimes, restorations simply have plaque or surface tartar buildup that makes them look dull. A professional dental cleaning can polish away surface debris and restore their original shine.
• Replace Old Restorations: If your crown or veneer is many years old and no longer matches your teeth, it might be time for an upgrade. You can easily replace an old or stained crown with a new one color-matched to your ideal shade of white.
• Consider a Comprehensive Plan: If you are unhappy with the overall look of your teeth, you might be a great candidate for a smile makeover, combining treatments to completely transform your aesthetic.

Pro Tip: Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is the best way to keep your restorations looking their best. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and do not skip your regular checkups!

The Golden Rule: Whiten Before You Restore

If you are planning to get new dental work in the future, timing is everything. The golden rule in cosmetic dentistry is to whiten your teeth first.

We highly recommend starting with professional teeth whitening to get your natural teeth to your desired shade. After whitening, we usually wait about two weeks for the color to stabilize. Once your natural teeth are perfectly bright, we will craft your new crowns or veneers to match that exact shade, ensuring a perfectly blended, beautiful smile.

Ready to Brighten Your Smile?

Whether you need to refresh your natural teeth, update old dental work, or plan a brand new look, the team at Kings Dental is here to help. We proudly serve families throughout the Cincinnati and Mason areas, offering personalized care for every smile.

Do not let mismatched or dull teeth hold you back. Schedule a visit at Kings Dental today, and let us help you achieve the bright, confident smile you deserve.