The typical American has around three dental fillings, and approximately 40% of adults have one or more dental crowns. Patients with crowns and fillings often wonder about the effects of teeth whitening. If you’re considering enhancing your smile with in office Zoom teeth whitening services, your Fairview Allen dentist will go over what you need to know about whitening with crowns and fillings, and what other alternatives you might have.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that helps to remove surface stains and reveal whiter teeth. There are various options available for teeth whitening, including in-office sessions that use agents like hydrogen peroxide, as well as at-home kits that use carbamide peroxide. With these options, achieving a brighter, more beautiful smile has become more accessible than ever before.
Dental fillings are used to restore decayed teeth and can be either metal amalgams or tooth-colored composites. Tooth-colored fillings, particularly composite resins, are preferred for their natural appearance. Dental bonding can also utilize resin composites to correct minor imperfections in a non-invasive way.
If you have fillings and you choose to whiten your teeth, your natural teeth can become whiter, but your fillings will remain the same shade, which may result in a noticeable difference in color. To prevent any unwanted effects, it is recommended that you seek advice from your dentist before beginning any teeth whitening treatment, especially if you have dental restorations.
Teeth whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove surface stains from natural teeth’s enamel. However, these treatments cannot remove stains from dental fillings made of composite resins or silver amalgam. The reason is that the materials used for fillings do not have the same chemical structure as natural teeth. Hence, they do not respond to the bleaching agents by changing color.
If you undergo a whitening treatment, the natural parts of your teeth might become several shades lighter, while the areas with dental fillings will retain their original color. This can lead to a potential mismatch in tooth color. Therefore, dental professionals recommend whitening your natural teeth before undergoing any restorative work to ensure consistent color matching across your smile.
If your dental fillings are stained or discolored, here’s what you can do.
To ensure the best outcome, consult with your dentist before undergoing any whitening procedure. They can guide you on whether the whitening process could impact your dental restorations or suggest alternative methods to achieve a uniform smile. In some cases, replacing old restorations after whitening may match your natural teeth’s new shade.
Your journey to maintaining a healthy smile continues after achieving those pearly whites. Oral hygiene must stay front and center, regularly brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and avoiding teeth-staining foods and drinks.
Cavities are small holes or openings in your teeth caused by tooth decay. If a whitening solution reaches these areas, it can cause irritation or pain, and it won’t effectively whiten the decayed parts of the tooth. Therefore, it’s important to address cavities with fillings to ensure a uniform whitening effect across all teeth and to prevent the risk of discomfort or harm to your teeth during the whitening process.
It’s recommended to ensure your teeth are in good condition and free of cavities before undergoing any whitening treatments to avoid unnecessary complications and achieve the best possible outcome for a brighter smile.
Ready to reveal your whiter, brighter smile? Contact Sloan Creek Dental for an expert consult. We’re dedicated to providing individualized and careful treatment to enhance your natural beauty, ensuring a dazzling smile without compromising on your oral health or existing dental work.
If you’re looking for teeth whitening treatment, and in the Fairview Allen area, contact Sloan Creek Dental to schedule a consultation online or call 972-468-1440. Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.
