A bright, beautiful white smile is something many of us desire, and for some, which can be achieved through procedures like teeth whitening or getting dental crowns. However, when faced with the decision of whether to pursue teeth whitening before crowns, it’s essential to consider various factors. In this article, we will explore the advantages of whitening your teeth before getting crowns and why it might be the right choice for you.
What is a crown?
Each crown is specifically crafted to match the colour of your surrounding teeth. A crown is an artificial “cap” that is installed to repair the remaining part of a damaged tooth. The crown replicates the original shape of the original tooth so that it fits naturally within your bite. A crown can also be used to repair a chipped tooth, or it can be used to fill and seal a cavity.
Your dentist will colour-match your porcelain crown to the surrounding natural teeth. This involves comparing a tooth to a colour swatch, much like those found in home decor stores. Once the right hue is chosen, the crown will be altered to flawlessly match your existing smile.
Teeth whitening and crown
Teeth whitening products and gels do not affect porcelain crowns, so most dental professionals will recommend whitening your natural teeth first and then matching the crown to the colour of your newly whitened teeth. If the crown is shade-matched to the colour of your yellowish-stained teeth, and you later decide to get your teeth whitened, the crown will no longer match the colour of the newly whitened natural teeth. For many people this is their biggest regret, they can’t do anything about their yellow crowns.
What is the downtime between whitening treatment and getting a crown?
Generally speaking, you should wait at least two weeks between completing a professional in-clinic teeth whitening treatment and proceeding with additional dental work, such as crowns or veneers. This slight waiting period ensures that the new, whiter colour of your teeth has fully set in so that the crowns can be perfectly matched to the new shade.
The decision to get professional in-clinic teeth whitening before crowns ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. If your teeth are structurally sound but suffer from discoloration or stains, teeth whitening may be a suitable and cost-effective choice.
iSmile Teeth Whitening Practitioners are fully qualified and registered members of the New Zealand Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Association (NZCTWA).
Click here to learn more about Professional In Clinic Teeth Whitening Auckland
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2024
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