Dental crowns can’t be whitened, because peroxide whitening only lightens natural tooth enamel. When people ask whether crowns can be whitened, the real options are a professional cleaning to remove surface stains or a replacement crown. Whitening your natural teeth and then replacing an old crown can give you a matching shade.
Key Takeaways
- Peroxide whitening gels lighten natural enamel but not porcelain or other crown materials.
- Porcelain crowns resist stains, though they can pick up surface stains from coffee or red wine.
- A professional cleaning and polish can remove surface stains from crowns.
- Whitening products don’t damage crown material when used as directed.
- An old or mismatched crown can be replaced with one that matches your whitened teeth.
Estimated read: 3 min
Understanding how dental crowns and whitening work
One common question patients ask is, can crowns be whitened? The short answer is, not in the same way as natural teeth. Crowns, whether made of porcelain or other materials, don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments in the same manner as natural teeth do. While whitening products can effectively lighten your natural teeth, dental crowns typically do not lighten once placed.
However, there are some treatments and techniques that can help whiten crowns to match your surrounding teeth. Understanding how crowns interact with whitening agents will help you manage your expectations and plan accordingly.
How do crowns respond to whitening treatments?
Most whitening agents, including those with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, are designed to target natural tooth enamel. These whitening products penetrate the tooth’s surface and break down surface stains. Since crowns are made of synthetic materials, they do not absorb these agents in the same way, meaning whitening them is not as effective.
Porcelain crowns are particularly resistant to staining, but over time, they may still pick up some surface stains from foods or drinks like coffee or red wine. While whitening treatments won’t lighten the crown itself, a professional cleaning can help reduce some of these surface stains and improve the overall look.
How to whiten around crowns
While you can’t whiten your dental crowns directly, you can whiten your natural teeth to match the crowns. If your teeth have become discolored over time, whitening treatments might help restore a more uniform appearance between your natural teeth and crowns.
For example, using a whitening toothpaste or a professional whitening treatment can improve the shade of your natural teeth. Once your teeth are whitened, your crowns will blend better with your smile.
Can whitening harm crowns?
It’s important to note that whitening agents typically don’t harm the dental crown material, as they are formulated for safe use on teeth.
However, frequent use of whitening treatments may affect the bonding material that holds the crowns in place, potentially causing them to loosen over time. It’s important to follow the advice of your dentist and maintain regular checkups to ensure your crowns stay securely in place.
Alternatives to whitening your crowns
If your crowns have become stained or dull, but whitening treatments aren’t an option, there are other alternatives to restore their appearance:
- Professional cleaning: Your dentist can clean your crowns, removing surface stains and restoring their shine.
- Crown replacement: If your crowns are old or worn out, your dentist may recommend replacing them with new crowns that match the color of your whitened natural teeth.
Conclusion: Managing expectations for crown whitening
While can crowns be whitened? is a valid question, the best solution often involves focusing on whitening your natural teeth and consulting with your dentist to improve the overall aesthetic of your smile. By taking good care of your oral health and your dental crowns, you can maintain a bright, confident smile that lasts.
FAQs
How can I make my crown white again?
Dental crowns cannot be whitened with teeth whitening products. A professional dental cleaning can remove surface stains, or your dentist may recommend replacing the crown to match your natural teeth.
Can a dentist whiten my crowns?
Dentists cannot whiten dental crowns using whitening treatments. If the crown color no longer matches your smile, polishing or crown replacement is the most effective option.
Does teeth whitening harm crowns?
Teeth whitening does not damage dental crowns, but whitening agents only affect natural teeth, which may create a color difference between crowns and surrounding teeth.
About the author
Dr. Bilus D PolesDDS,MAGD,DICOI, DIDIA
Founder and lead dentist of Omni Dental of Arlington Heights. Master of the Academy of General Dentistry and Board Certified Diplomate of the ICOI and IDIA. Illinois license #019.027365.
