When planning to whiten your teeth, it is essential to consider any existing dental work you have, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges. Professional whitening agents are designed to work only on natural tooth enamel. They do not change the colour of synthetic materials like porcelain or composite resin, which means your restorations will remain their original shade.
If you whiten your teeth, your natural enamel will likely become lighter, while your old fillings or crowns stay the same. This can lead to an uneven appearance where the restorations look darker or more yellow compared to the surrounding teeth. This is a common concern for patients who have visible work on their front teeth.
To achieve a uniform smile, you may need to replace your old restorations after the whitening process is complete. This allows the dentist to match the new filling or crown material to your updated, lighter tooth shade. It is usually recommended to wait a few weeks after whitening before replacing these materials to allow the new colour to stabilise.
A registered dentist will evaluate your mouth and discuss how whitening might affect the overall look of your smile. They can help you plan the timing of your treatments to ensure the best possible aesthetic outcome. Always seek professional advice before starting any whitening treatment if you have existing dental restorations.