If you have a dental crown, you might be curious about whether it can be whitened like your natural teeth. Crowns are often placed to restore the look and function of a damaged tooth, but what happens if your crown no longer matches the shade of your natural teeth? So, can you whiten a crown? The short answer is no—whitening treatments do not work on dental crowns. However, there are other options to improve their appearance and keep your smile looking its best.
Why Crowns Don’t Respond to Whitening: Can You Whiten a Crown Effectively?
Dental crowns are made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, which are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth. However, unlike natural tooth enamel, these materials are not porous. Whitening treatments, whether in-office or over-the-counter, rely on penetrating the enamel to lift stains from within. Crowns lack the porosity of natural teeth. They do not absorb whitening agents and remain unaffected by these treatments.
This can be frustrating if your natural teeth have brightened with whitening, but your crown remains the same shade, creating a noticeable contrast.
What Causes Crowns to Discolor? Can You Whiten a Crown When Stains Appear?
While crowns don’t respond to whitening, they can still become discolored or stained over time. Common culprits include dark-colored foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and even certain fruits. Smoking and poor oral hygiene can also cause a crown to look dull or slightly stained. The bonding material used to secure the crown can darken as well, making the area around the crown appear darker or mismatched.
However, this staining is superficial, and professional cleaning can often remove surface stains on a crown, though it won’t change its underlying color.
What Are Your Options?
While you can’t whiten a crown, there are still solutions to improve the appearance of your smile:
- Professional Cleaning: A dentist can remove surface stains from your crown during routine cleanings. This won’t change the shade of the crown, but it can help restore its original luster.
- Polishing the Crown: If the crown’s surface has dulled or developed minor staining, your dentist may be able to polish it, making it appear brighter.
- Replacing the Crown: If your crown is significantly discolored or doesn’t match the shade of your natural teeth, replacing the crown is the best option. If you’ve recently whitened your teeth, you may opt to have the crown replaced to match your new, brighter smile.
- Veneers: In some cases, if the crown is on a front tooth, a veneer may be an option to improve the overall appearance. However, this will depend on the specific situation and location of the crown.
How to Prevent Crown Discoloration
To maintain the appearance of your crown, it’s imperative to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for professional cleanings can help keep your crown looking its best. Limiting stain-causing foods and drinks can reduce the chances of discoloration. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming them can also help.
If you smoke, quitting can greatly improve the color of your natural teeth. It can also improve any dental work you’ve done.
Rediscover Your Confidence with a Smile Makeover in NYC
While you can’t whiten a dental crown, there are ways to maintain or enhance its appearance. At Dr. Alex Rubinov’s NYC dental practice, we specialize in creating stunning smiles tailored to your unique facial features and goals. Our smile makeover process combines advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry techniques to help you achieve a flawless, confident smile.
Whether you’re looking for porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, or a full smile transformation, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule your personalized consultation today at our Midtown NYC office to explore how we can bring out the best in your smile. Call us at (212) 863-9662 or book online now!
