Porcelain crowns in Wilmington are designed to blend with the natural color of your teeth and provide a long-lasting restoration. A while later, you can start to feel the crowns being a hair whiter or darker than your original teeth. Porcelain is resistant to stain, but as with age, diet, and oral health, natural teeth over time can undergo a color change. This most often leads patients to wonder if porcelain crowns can be whitened.
Can You Whiten Porcelain Crowns?
Porcelain crowns, as compared to natural teeth, do not respond to the usual whitening treatment. Whitening products, such as hydrogen peroxide or bleach gels, work by moving through the enamel of natural teeth to dissolve the stains. Porcelain is non-porous, and thus these chemicals cannot alter the color. If you are exploring whitening options for porcelain crowns, it is important to understand that usual whitening treatments won’t work in this case.
Why Crowns Look Discolored
Though porcelain crowns do not discolor like your natural teeth, there are some reasons why, over time, they might turn dull or incongruent in color. Among the most usual reasons are
- Natural Teeth Whitening – After crowns are installed, when you whiten your natural teeth, the adjacent teeth get a lighter color compared to which your crowns might appear darker.
- Gum Recession – Gums may recede with time and reveal a darker margin at the base of the crown.
- Surface Stains – Porcelain being stain-resistant, surface deposits of coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking can affect its appearance.
- Aging of the Crown – Older crowns tend to lose their original luster and become less reflective, thus having a dull look.
If you are looking for ways of improving the color of porcelain crowns, a dental professional will decide whether polishing or replacement would be most appropriate.
Porcelain Crown Whitening Options
Since standard whitening procedures do not work on porcelain, there are alternative solutions to ensure your smile glows:
- Professional Cleaning – A dental professional can remove extrinsic stains from the surface of the crown, making it glow again.
- Whitening Natural Teeth – Whitening your natural teeth if they have darkened will make them a closer color match to your crowns.
- Replacing the Crown – If the color difference is extreme, having the crown replaced with one of the same tooth shade as your current tooth is the best option.
Consulting a dental clinic near you is the best way to go over these options and decide on the best solution for your smile.
How to Prevent Color Change in Porcelain Crowns
To maintain your crowns white and prevent discoloration, do the following simple steps:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Brushing twice a day and flossing keeps both natural teeth and crowns white.
- Restrict Staining Foods and Drinks – Coffee, tea, wine, and dark-colored foods and drinks stain teeth and whiten around crowns.
- Don’t Smoke – Tobacco smoking stains and dulls the natural color of both teeth and crowns.
- Schedule Dental Appointments – A dental clinic near you can provide you with professional cleanings to remove plaque and keep your crowns healthy.
By doing all these, you can preserve the natural color of your crowns and have a healthy, bright smile.
When to Replace a Porcelain Crown?
When your crown no longer complements the color of your teeth or has worn out, it may be time for replacement. Indications that it is now time to replace your crown include:
- Dark stains or discoloration seen around the gums
- Chipping or cracking of the crown
- Poor fit or bite discomfort
- Visible color difference from normal teeth
For patients with porcelain crowns in Wilmington, a dentist would evaluate whether replacing it is warranted and recommend the same shade to blend in with your teeth’s present color.
Choosing a Dental Clinic for Crown Replacing
Anytime you are thinking about crown replacement or professional cleaning, dental clinic choice in your vicinity is certain. Your dentist will check you to establish whether you need to replace the crown and ensure that the new crown integrates well with your teeth.
Improve Your Smile with the Proper Dental Care
Should you be dissatisfied with the color of your crowns, there are methods available to enhance their appearance. Although there are limited options for whitening porcelain crowns, professional cleanings, tooth whitening, and crown replacement can help you maintain a whiter smile.
At Delaware Star Dental, we are experts in porcelain crowns in Wilmington to restore and beautify your smile. If you require professional guidance on how to maintain your crowns or are looking for a replacement, our professionals are here to assist you. Call us today to book an appointment and get a natural, confident smile!