The simple answer is, no. Since fillings are made of materials that don’t respond to whitening, they unfortunately won’t change their colour.
If you’ve ever thought, ‘I really want to whiten my teeth but I have fillings at the front of my teeth’, you’re not alone!
This is a common concern among those seeking a brighter smile amongst our diverse clientele, from young professionals to the mature population. If you’re wondering whether teeth whitening is possible with your current fillings, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Pimpama City Dental Centre we have an array of whitening options that suit everyone. Some of our patients’ questions, however that have fillings in their front teeth are the following;
Will Teeth Whitening Work on my filling on my front teeth?
When it comes to whitening teeth and dental fillings, there’s important information to understand: whitening products do not change the color of dental fillings, crowns, or veneers. This is because these restorations are typically made from resin composite materials or porcelain ceramics that do not react to the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening products, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. At Pimpama City Dental Centre we suggest booking your in-chair whitening session a few weeks before any restorative dental work are completed to avoid any unnecessary sensitivity.
Do You Need to Fix Cavities Before Whitening Your Teeth?
Decayed portions of the tooth are generally softer and more vulnerable compared to healthy tooth areas. When exposed to the whitening agent, these weakened spots can suffer further damage and cause pain where there may have not been any pain in the past. All our Dentists at Pimpama City Dental Centre recommend that any decay present needs to be treated before undergoing any whitening procedure whether it be take home whitening kits or our in-chair whitening. This is because the whitening solutions can penetrate into any existing decay and the inner areas of the tooth, leading to increased sensitivity or pain post-treatment.
Additionally, cavities harbor a lot of bacteria, which the bleaching agents might not eliminate, potentially leading to further infection and decay. Therefore, fixing cavities is not just a precautionary measure but a necessary step before whitening to prevent exacerbating dental issues.
Whitening With Fillings FAQs
You can still get your teeth whitened if you have fillings, as long as your existing fillings are dentally fit there is no harm. Whitening products, are not designed to change the color of dental fillings, crowns, or veneers however they will still whiten the surrounding teeth leaving you with a lighter colour of your natural teeth which will be a good starting point to match your replacement fillings to. Should you choose to replace them.
This approach ensures a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing result, aligning with your smile goals.
Can I Have My Teeth Whitened Before My Crowns or Fillings Are Placed?
Yes, it’s generally a good idea to whiten your teeth before getting and fillings or crowns. This allows your dentist to perfectly match the color of the restoration to your newly whitened teeth.
Here at Pimpama City Dental Centre we focus on enhancing the natural beauty of your own teeth. Our Whitening procedure is specially formulated to work on your natural teeth, lightening them effectively while maintaining the integrity of any dental work you may already have. It’s important to know that while the colour of your fillings or crowns will remain the same, the surrounding natural teeth will lighten, potentially leading to a noticeable contrast. If you have various types of dental restorations and are considering whitening your teeth, it’s essential to consult with a professional Dentist. They might suggest additional treatments to harmonize the appearance of your teeth post-whitening, such could include the replacement of old cosmetic crowns, or the use of crowns or veneers to cover intensely discolored teeth or cosmetic bonding to correct imperfections.
The process of replacing these restorations is usually the same process as when you first had the original procedure, this involves the removal of any existing fillings or crowns, cleaning of the teeth, and removal of any stains and dark areas. Then you and your Dentist can select your preferred shade and materials to match your whitened teeth.
Our goal at Pimpama City Dental Centre is to guide you towards achieving a uniformly bright smile, ensuring that you feel confident and satisfied with the results. And achieve the smile you have only dreamt of.