Can I Whiten Teeth with Fillings, Crowns, or Veneers?

Teeth whitening is a great way to boost your smile—but if you have fillings, crowns, or veneers, you might be wondering if whitening treatments will work the same for you. This is a common concern, especially when your natural teeth start to stain or darken over time while your dental work stays the same color.

The short answer? Whitening works on natural teeth, but not on restorations like crowns, veneers, or white fillings. However, that doesn’t mean you're out of options.

In this blog, I’ll explain what to expect, how surface stains on dental work can still be improved, and what to do if you’re planning to update your restorations after whitening.

How Teeth Whitening Works

Professional teeth whitening uses ingredients like hydrogen peroxide to lift stains from the surface of your enamel. These ingredients are effective on natural tooth structure, but they don’t work the same way on materials like:

• Composite resin (used in white fillings)

• Porcelain or ceramic (used in crowns and veneers)

That’s because these materials are not porous like natural enamel—so they won’t respond to whitening agents or lighten in color.

What If I Already Have Dental Work?

Although filling or crown materials cannot be whitened past their original shade, any surface staining that has accumulated since they were placed can still be lightened.

In some cases, clients notice their natural teeth have darkened over time while their crown or filling remains lighter. This can create an uneven look. In other situations, generalized staining may have affected the dental work, which can be improved through a professional cleaning and whitening session.

So even if the core material won’t change, the surface can still be polished and brightened for a more refreshed appearance.

Planning a Replacement? Whiten First

If you're considering replacing an old crown or filling, it's recommended to whiten your natural teeth first—ideally at least two weeks before the dental work is done. This allows your teeth to settle into their new, brighter shade, making it easier for the new crown or filling to be matched accurately. Professional whitening treatments done ahead of time help ensure a more even, natural-looking smile. This small step can make a big difference in how your final results look, especially if you’re aiming for a refreshed, confident smile.

What Are My Options?

Depending on your goals, here’s how you can approach whitening with existing dental work:

1. Whiten First, Then Replace

Best if your current crown or filling is old or due for replacement anyway. You whiten your teeth first, then your dentist matches the new restoration to your brighter smile.

2. Whiten to Blend

If your dental work is still in good condition and doesn’t need replacing, we can carefully whiten your natural teeth to blend as closely as possible with the existing shade of your crown, veneer, or filling.

3. Full Smile Refresh

If you’re considering a full cosmetic upgrade, combining whitening with new restorations or veneers is a great option for a complete transformation.

What to Keep in Mind

While whitening doesn’t change the color of crowns, fillings, or veneers, it can still improve the overall appearance of your smile. Surface stains can be polished away, and your natural teeth can be brightened to blend more evenly with your restorations—or even help guide future replacements.

If you’re unsure what’s best for your smile, feel free to book a consultation. We’ll take a look and create a whitening plan that works best for you.