Whitening teeth with a porcelain crown?? What can I do about discoloration?!


Question: Whitening teeth with a porcelain crown!?!? What can I do about discoloration!?
I really want to get my teeth whitened, but I have a porcelain crown on one of my front teeth!.!. I started using Crest Whitestrips, and they worked awesome for me!. However, it obviously didn't whiten my crown!. I got the crown 8 years ago, and it is beginning to discolor, especially at the top where it meets with the part of my real tooth they attatched it to!. I am really self concious about my teeth!.!. is it possible to get the crown re-painted!?!? or do I have to get a whole new crown or veneer!? Bah!. Also, how much will all this cost, I live in Canada!. Thanks so much!.Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
you cant bleach the porcelain crown!.

unfortunatly, You will need to get it replaced!. the dentist is unable to place any 'paint' or composite on top as composite does not stick to the ceramic crown!.

the crown itself hasnt discoloured, rather, because your natural teeth have lightened, you imagine that it has discoloured!. The part where the crown meets your real tooth is called the 'margin', and because it is 8 years old, i am assuming that it is a PFM crown (porcelain fused to metal), therefore the discolouration you can see is the metal showing through because your gums have receeded!.

if you do decide to get it replaced, ask for an all-ceramic crown!. although it costs more, it will look alot better than your current crown as there is no metal which 'blocks' the light and reflections, making it look more natural!. The all ceramic crown will also still look natural when your gums recede at the margin as there is no metal which will show (unlike your current crown)

hope this helps!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

ask the dentist!!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com

You can try getting your teeth bleach because their is nothing you can do about decalcification!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Whitening won't bleach a crown!. The porcelain won't get bleached!.

The discoloring or grey area is because the metal shows thru easier around the gum area!. The porcelain is thinner there and underneath the porcelain is grey metal alloy!.

8 years ago the collar of the crown may have been hidden by your gums!. As you age, your gums naturally recede and your margins are now exposed!.

I don't know how much it is in Canada, but in the USA it's around 800 dollars for a porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown and 900-1000 for a ceramic/porcelain crown!. If your self conscious about your smile then get them replaced!. If you're balking at prices, then don't get it replaced!.

I would personally recommend to get it replaced because I hate it when the margins of the crown aren't covered by the gum line!. Plaque accumulates easily on the margins and you can get a cavity, which will rot away the foundation of the tooth!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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