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Should You Whiten Your Teeth Before or After Crowns or Veneers? Thoughts from Polish and White: Teeth Whitening Auckland

Writer's picture: Marnie St GeorgeMarnie St George

Updated: Sep 25, 2024

Bringing a friend is cheaper at Polish and White Auckland teeth whitening
Teeth Whitening Auckland : Bring a friend



As a registered dental hygienist and the owner of a boutique teeth whitening studio Polish and White in Auckland.  I'm often asked whether it’s better to whiten your teeth before or after placing crowns or veneers. This is a crucial question because crowns and veneers don’t respond to whitening treatments the way natural teeth do. Here’s what you need to know.


What Are Crowns and Veneers?


Crowns:  A crown is a cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are often made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal like gold.

  

Veneers: Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of your teeth to enhance their appearance. Veneers can correct minor imperfections such as chips, discoloration, or gaps.


Do Your Homework Before You Start


Before making any decisions about crowns or veneers, it’s important to do your research:

Consult with a dentist or cosmetic dentist: Schedule a couple of consultations with qualified professionals. Review their photographic work and make sure you’re comfortable with their expertise and manner. A good dentist will take the time to discuss the pros and cons of crowns or veneers and explain any risks involved.

  Feel confident in your choice: The right dentist should help you feel empowered about your decision and ensure you understand the longevity and care involved in maintaining your new smile. The decision shouldn’t be taken lightly.


Whitening Before Crowns or Veneers: What You Need to Know


When planning for crowns or veneers, the colour of these restorations is critical because they’re man-made from materials like porcelain or composite resin. Once a crown or veneer is made, its colour is permanent and cannot be altered by whitening treatments. This is why it’s essential to select the right shade from the start.


Here are some tips for making the best colour choice:


Evaluate colours in natural lighting: Make sure your dentist shows you colour options in good, natural lighting to see how they’ll look in real life.


It is important that your dentist carry’s out shade matching prior to any procedure leading to teeth dehydration, such as rubber dam isolation.

  

Take full-face photos: Ask your dentist to take full-face shots with the colour options in view to help visualise how each shade will look against your complexion.

  

Consider matching the colour to your eyes: Some cosmetic dentists recommend matching the shade of your crowns or veneers to your eye colour for a harmonious, natural look.

  

Plan for the future: Choose a colour that will still look good as you age, as you won’t be able to change it later.


Whitening First, Crowns or Veneers After


It’s typically best to whiten your natural teeth first, then match the crowns or veneers to your newly whitened smile. This way, your restorations blend seamlessly with your brightened teeth. If you place a crown or veneer that matches your current teeth, and then decide to whiten later, your natural teeth will change colour, but the restoration won’t, leaving an uneven look. This is one of the most common regrets people have when they don’t whiten first and have matched the shade to the more yellow shade. There are many whitening options at Polish and White. I offer personalised plans to suit your individual needs.


Is there a recommended time frame for whitening before getting crowns or veneers?


While some clinical studies suggest that bonding isn’t affected if veneers or crowns are placed immediately after whitening, it’s generally safer to wait. It’s recommended to whiten your teeth at least two weeks before the procedure. This allows the colour of your teeth to stabilise and ensures the bonding process is as effective as possible.


Final Thoughts


Choosing to get crowns or veneers is an important decision that involves careful consideration. Be sure to work closely with your dentist to select a colour you’ll love for years to come. Whitening your teeth before placing crowns or veneers ensures a consistent, beautiful smile without mismatched shades.


If you’re thinking about teeth whitening before a cosmetic procedure, feel free to come in for a free consult to discuss the teeth whitening process.

Marnie Polish and White


References:


- Alamé C, Mehanna Zogheib C. The Effect of Dehydration on Tooth Color: A Prospective In Vivo Study. Cureus. 2023 Nov 2;15(11):e48140. doi: 10.7759/cureus.48140. PMID: 38046777; PMCID: PMC10692694.

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