How to Change the Color of Dental Crowns

Tooth Whitening
Replacing the Crown

Written by Jess Kroll

27 July, 2017

With the availability and popularity of teeth whitening procedures, more people are able to change the color of their teeth to a lighter shade. Procedures and products vary in effectiveness, price and longevity but none of them has an effect on crowns or fillings implanted into the mouth or tooth. In the case of less visible crowns (molars) the mismatch will be less noticeable than those in the front. Wherever the placement, chances are greater that the teeth around the crown will change in color rather than the crown itself.

Tooth Whitening

Determine if the crown is brighter than the teeth around it. Since porcelain is less likely to naturally change than tooth enamel, it's likely that time has simply made the crown stand out.

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Match the crown's shade to that of the surrounding teeth. If there is only a slight difference in color then a simple teeth-whitening solution, such as strips or toothpaste, can be used to bring the brightness of the other teeth in line with that of the crown 1 1 2.

Talk to a dentist or dental tactician about matching the teeth to the crown. Most teeth whitening procedures will brighten teeth by three or four shades so if a whitening procedure may be needed determine how much brighter the teeth have to be to match the crown.

Determine if the crown is brighter than the teeth around it.
If there is only a slight difference in color then a simple teeth-whitening solution, such as strips or toothpaste, can be used to bring the brightness of the other teeth in line with that of the crown 1.

Replacing the Crown

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Talk to your dentist about the problem with the mismatching crown. Crown discoloration may occur when the gumline recedes over time enough to expose the base of the crown, previously covered by the gums.

Have your dentist match a new crown with the teeth around it. If you have recently had a teeth whitening treatment done, it may not be a good idea to replace the crown to match the newly whitened teeth unless you plan on keeping the rest of the teeth that shade for the life of the crown, which is typically between five and 15 years depending on care.

Have your dentist place a new crown. This is not a fun operation but the only way to change the color of the crown itself is to have it replaced 1 1 2.

Talk to your dentist about the problem with the mismatching crown.
If you have recently had a teeth whitening treatment done, it may not be a good idea to replace the crown to match the newly whitened teeth unless you plan on keeping the rest of the teeth that shade for the life of the crown, which is typically between five and 15 years depending on care.