Key Takeaways
- Whitening products can lighten natural tooth enamel, but they do not change the colour of crowns or veneers.
- A professional clean and polish can help lift some surface stains from restorations.
- If you want a lighter overall shade, new crowns or veneers can be matched to your natural teeth after whitening.
At Shawnessy Dental Centre in southwest Calgary, you may notice that one tooth looks brighter than the others in photos, or that your crown stands out after your natural teeth change colour. Coffee, tea, and tobacco can leave marks over time, which can make your smile look less even.
You cannot whiten dental crowns or veneers with tooth-whitening products, but there are options that can help you achieve a more even smile shade.
Why Crowns & Veneers Keep Their Original Shade
Whitening products work on natural tooth enamel. Your natural teeth can become lighter with professional whitening or other whitening products, while crowns and veneers keep the shade chosen when they were placed.
Crowns and veneers are often made from porcelain or resin. These materials hold their set colour, even when hydrogen peroxide is used on nearby natural teeth. This means whitening can create a visible colour difference if your crown or veneer was matched to a darker tooth shade.
A crown or veneer can still look clean and smooth, but it cannot become lighter through bleaching.
Why Your Teeth & Restorations May Look Different
Surface Stains & Colour Changes
Your smile can change slowly, so the difference may catch your eye one day when you look in the mirror. Natural teeth can darken over time, while a crown or veneer may keep the original shade selected for it.
- Coffee, tea, and tobacco can leave surface stains on teeth and restorations.
- Natural teeth can darken over time.
- Crowns may appear lighter than the natural teeth beside them.
In some cases, a restoration may look darker because surface stains have built up. In other cases, it may look lighter because the surrounding natural teeth have changed colour. A close shade check can help identify what you are seeing. Tooth discolouration can have several causes, so looking at the full smile can help guide your next step.
Your Options for a More Even Smile
Professional Clean & Polish
A professional clean can help lift some surface stains from your crown, veneer, and natural teeth. Polishing may also refresh the appearance of your restoration, especially if it looks dull from everyday drinks or foods.
This option does not change the set shade of porcelain or resin. However, it can help your smile look cleaner and more even when surface staining is the main concern.
Replacement for a New Shade
If you would like a lighter crown or veneer shade, replacement may be an option. A new restoration can be made to match lighter natural teeth after whitening.
Your dentist checks your tooth shade before replacement so the new crown or veneer can suit the colour you have chosen for your smile. This approach can help avoid a noticeable difference between your natural teeth and restoration.
Plan a Lighter Tooth Shade Before New Crowns & Veneers
If you are thinking about whitening and also need a new crown or veneer, the order of care matters. Whitening your natural teeth first gives you a chance to choose the shade you want before a new restoration is made.
- Whiten your natural teeth before receiving new crowns or veneers.
- Allow your tooth shade to settle after whitening.
- Match your new restorations to your chosen tooth shade.
This plan can help you avoid replacing a new crown or veneer sooner than expected because your natural teeth became lighter afterward. It also gives your dentist a clearer view of the shade you want to keep. Learn more about tooth whitening procedures and the types of stains that can affect your natural teeth.
A Shade Check at Shawnessy Dental Centre
Small shade changes can feel noticeable when you smile, laugh, or speak. At Shawnessy Dental Centre, your dentist can review colour differences between natural teeth, crowns, and veneers.
- Bring up any new stains or uneven shades you have noticed.
- Share whether you would like your natural teeth to look lighter.
- Ask which option can suit your smile goals.
Shawnessy Dental Centre has cared for families in southwest Calgary since 1995. Contact our team to book a shade check and talk through your options for a cleaner, more even-looking smile.
