Is Teeth Whitening Needed Before Placement of Crowns?

If you are contemplating getting a dental crown affixed, it might be a good idea to talk to the cosmetic dentist. Usually a teeth whitening or bleaching process is recommended and then the crown is placed. The main reason is that the color of the crown will need to match the rest of the teeth. Thus, if you have yellowed teeth and get the same colored crown, it is your choice but if you decide to get a teeth cleaning process conducted, the crown will stand out from the rest of the whitened teeth.

Thus, think it over and if you do not like the color of your teeth, it is better to ask your dentist to conduct a bleaching process as it will remove old stains and lighten the color. But if you are comfortable with the current tooth color, the dentist will create a similar colored crown. Once the final restoration is created, it will be permanent and color changes will not be possible.

However you don't have to be at the dentist's office for the teeth whitening procedures but can ask him about the required at-home teeth bleaching process. Custom fitted trays usually made of plastic are made for your teeth and some tubes of teeth bleaching material will be provided to you.

The dentist or the assistant will be able to show you how to bleach your teeth at home. A small amount of bleaching material is placed in the tray and then the tray is laced in the mouth such that the all of the teeth are uniformly immersed in it. Any excess amount of the bleaching material can be removed from the gums with brush or finger. Teeth whitening process is not completed in on sitting but requires 1 or 2 hours every day for over a week. The major advantage of at-home bleaching method is that you can control the whiteness of your teeth. As you are in control of the complete process, you can stop the whitening process as and when you want it.

But you need to be aware that the teeth can become sensitive during and after bleaching. Cold liquids or even air during the process can be felt on the teeth but the sensitivity will be eliminated once the bleaching process is stopped. Another aspect that you can implement is giving a break of one night in between the process or doing the teeth whitening process on alternative days. Taking a break will ensure that the teeth are not as sensitive as before.

Other than that the cosmetic dentist can prescribe fluoride gel which can be placed in the teeth tray for whitening purposes. This can help protect the teeth by sealing the tooth surface and acts to decrease the coating. However, it does not affect the color of the teeth and decreases sensitivity when you bleach. After you reach the color of your choice, the dentists wait for 3 to 4 weeks before they take a color match for crafting the crown as it takes time for the color to stabilize.

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