Key Considerations and Timing

When planning a smile makeover, a question I’m often asked in my teeth whitening clinic is: Should I get my Teeth Whitening before getting a Crown?”

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 dental crown?

Each dental 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 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.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

• Enhanced Confidence – A brighter, even smile boosts your self-esteem in both personal and professional settings.
• Improved Oral Health – Crowns protect weak teeth from further damage, helping maintain long-term dental health.
• Natural, Long-Lasting Results – Modern materials and whitening technology ensure your results look and feel completely natural.
• Customized Treatment – Your dentist tailors the shade, shape, and style to your individual preferences and needs.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment designed to whiten the colour of natural teeth. It removes stains and discolouration caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, or simply the ageing process. Professional whitening performed in-clinic uses safe, effective whitening gels that can whiten your teeth by several shades.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

• Whiter Smile Instantly – Professional teeth whitening safely removes stains from coffee, tea, wine, and smoking, giving you a noticeably whiter smile after just one treatment.
• Boost Confidence – A whiter smile can enhance your confidence in social settings, photos, and professional environments.
• Safe and Clinically Proven – Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, professional teeth whitening is tailored to your teeth and monitored to minimise sensitivity.
• Fast, Long-Lasting Results – In-clinic whitening treatments deliver faster and more dramatic results compared to DIY whitening kits.
• Even, Consistent Whitening – Customised whitening ensures even coverage across all visible teeth for a natural, uniform result.
• Removes Deep and Surface Stains – Professional whitening gel penetrate into the enamel surface lifing out stubborn stains.
• Non-Invasive Cosmetic Enhancement – Teeth whitening is a simple, affordable cosmetic treatment that improves your smile without drilling, injections, or downtime.

However, it’s important to note that teeth whitening treatments only work on natural enamel.  It does not work on dental restorations like crowns, veneers, or fillings. This is an important factor to consider if you have or are planning to get crowns.

Combining Teeth Whitening and Crowns

Planning a new Dental Crown

If you’re planning both teeth whitening and dental crowns, the order of treatment is important. Dentists usually recommend professional in-clinic whitening of your natural teeth first before matching your new crown to the lighter shade. Since crowns do not whiten like natural teeth, carrying out teeth whitening beforehand ensures your restoration blends with your newly whitened smile.

Existing Dental Crowns

For existing crowns, teeth whitening gels do not whiten porcelain crowns.  Therefore, it is highly recommended to whiten first and then match the crown to the colour of your newly whitened teeth.  If a crown is shade-matched to the colour of your unwhitened yellow-stained teeth, and you later decide to get your teeth whitened, the crown will appear more yellow against your newly whitened natural teeth.

For many people, this is their biggest regret; they now can’t do anything about their yellow dental crown.  In this scenario a balanced approach is recommended.  Whitening your natural teeth first to the desired shade and then replacing older crowns if necessary to achieve an even colour.

What is the downtime between a teeth whitening treatment and getting a crown?

Generally speaking, you should wait at least two weeks between completing teeth whitening and proceeding with dental restoration work, such as crowns or veneers. This short waiting period ensures your newly whitened teeth has fully set in.  Then the crowns can be 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 in good condtion but have discoloration or stains, teeth whitening may be a suitable and cost-effective choice.

Summary

Teeth whitening enhances the brightness of your natural teeth, while dental crowns restore and protect damaged or discoloured ones. Together, they can deliver a radiant, confident smile—when planned and executed properly under the guidance of your dentist and professional teeth whitening clinic.  Whether you want to whiten your teeth or restore damaged ones, teeth whitening and dental crowns offer a powerful combination for a radiant, healthy-looking smile.

Professional In-Clinic Teeth Whitening Auckland

iSmile Professional In-Clinic Teeth Whitening Auckland offers the most developed, safe and gentle teeth whitening system available on the market today!  iSmile Teeth Whitening Practitioners are fully qualified and registered members of the New Zealand Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Association (NZCTWA).  Check out iSmile Teeth whitening treatment options.

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