Dental fillings, crowns, and veneers help restore and improve the appearance of decayed or damaged teeth. However, like your natural teeth, they may get stained over time. Or, you may have perfectly fine dental restorations, but the teeth they are on have started to stain or discolor.
Will whitening products work on them? Let’s find out.
What are fillings, veneers, and crowns?
Aside from restoring your smile’s looks, veneers, crowns, and fillings have different functions.
Fillings
Dental fillings are a combination of one or more metals, plastics, or glass used to restore or repair damaged teeth. Dentists often use them to fill cavities that they have cleared of decay. They also use fillings to repair broken teeth or those damaged by misuse.
Veneers
Dental Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that conceal chips, cracks, stains, and other cosmetic imperfections. They are often made of porcelain that dentists place over the front surfaces of teeth. They are a common cosmetic dentistry treatment, and dentists can use many types of veneers, depending on your aesthetic goals.
Crowns
Crowns look like caps that dentist place over your damaged teeth to protect, cover, and restore them where fillings can’t. They are often made from metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics and don’t require special care other than good oral hygiene.
What are the different types of teeth whitening systems ?
Teeth whitening can do wonders in changing your smile’s appearance. Fortunately, you have a ton of options to choose from:
Whitening Toothpaste
A whitening toothpaste can make your teeth lighter by one shade. However, they only remove superficial stains.
Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses are a new type of teeth whitening process. Unlike the standard mouthwash, whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide. They can also reduce dental plaque and gum disease to freshen breath.
Strips and Over-the-Counter Whitening Gels
There are many over-the-counter whitening strips and gels that you can purchase at a pharmacy, online store, or your dentist. The amount you use will depend on the hydrogen peroxide content of the product. You may start noticing changes in your teeth’s color after a few days, and these results can last up to a few months.
Tray-based Whitening
Tray-based whitening involves placing a whitening solution that contains hydrogen peroxide in a tray shaped like a mouthguard. You will need to wear the tray every night for a few hours. You may need to do this for a month or more, depending on how discolored your teeth are and the level of whitening you want to achieve.
Is whitening your teeth with fillings, veneers, or crowns possible?
Veneers, fillings, and crowns are stain-resistant for the most part, but they can still stain over time. However, teeth whitening products and procedures won’t work on them because they’re made of materials that are also chemical-resistant.
If you’re worried about your dental restorations standing out when you talk or laugh, you should make an appointment with your dentist. They can create a treatment plan to whiten your teeth quickly and painlessly.
You may also need to have other procedures done if you have multiple dental restorations. Some of the treatments your dentist may recommend include:
- Replacing crowns that are no longer needed
- Attaching a new crown on teeth with severe discoloration
- Using dental bonding to conceal imperfections such as gaps, discoloration, and misaligned teeth
- Using veneers to hide stains or discoloration on the front teeth
How do dentists replace dental restorations?
Your dentist can replace your dental restorations if necessary, following the same process as the first time they were placed. They will first remove your dental restorations, then clean the stained teeth. They also apply local anesthetics so you won’t feel any pain.
If you want to achieve perfect aesthetics, you have other options to explore aside from replacing your dental work. A complete overhaul may be necessary to ensure the dental restorations blend with your natural teeth. Once that’s finished, they’ll start the whitening process.
How To Care For Your Dental Restorations
According to dentists in Madeira Beach, caring for your dental restorations well will make them last long and resist staining. Here are some tips to help you care for them better:
- Go for regular professional cleanings.
- Don’t bite hard or sharp objects.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Floss thoroughly and practice good oral hygiene.
- Avoid toothpaste and fluoride treatments that are abrasive or acidic, which can affect your dental restorations.
Key Takeaway
Stains can also affect your crowns, veneers, and fillings. While you have many teeth whitening options like whitening strips, gels, rinses, and trays, none are likely to work on your dental restorations. You may need to replace them if they no longer match your natural teeth.
Caring for your dental restorations will make them last. Practice good oral hygiene, avoid biting hard objects, and go for regular dental cleanings. You should also consider limiting your alcohol consumption and avoiding toothpaste with abrasive or acidic content that can alter your dental restorations.