The Truth About Whitening Dental Crowns: What You Need to Know

A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its form and function. While it perfectly matches your natural teeth initially, your natural teeth can stain and yellow over time due to various factors like food, drinks, tobacco, plaque, medical conditions, or aging. Unlike natural teeth, crowns, typically made of porcelain or composite porcelain, do not respond to whitening agents. This means that while your natural teeth can be brightened, your crown will retain its original shade, potentially making it appear whiter than the surrounding teeth as your natural teeth discolor. Understanding the limitations of teeth whitening on crowns is crucial. Whitening products, whether over-the-counter or professional treatments, primarily work by breaking down pigments within the enamel of natural teeth. They do not alter the intrinsic color of crown materials. However, surface stains can accumulate on crowns just as they do on natural teeth. Regular brushing with a whitening toothpaste and professional dental cleanings can help remove these surface stains, maintaining the crown's initial brightness. If you are planning to get a dental crown and are also considering teeth whitening, it is highly recommended to whiten your natural teeth before the crown is placed. This allows your dentist to match the new crown to your brightest natural tooth shade, ensuring a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result. While whitening products won't damage your porcelain crown, it's important to use them safely and as directed to minimize potential side effects like tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. These risks are generally no higher for individuals with crowns. To maintain the brilliance of both your natural teeth and crowns, consistent oral hygiene, including brushing twice daily with a whitening toothpaste and regular dental check-ups, is essential. Limiting highly pigmented foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and certain spices, and avoiding tobacco, will also help prevent discoloration. Always consult your dentist to determine the best approach for achieving and maintaining a bright smile, especially when you have existing dental crowns.