Do you have a dental filling that is discolored or stained? If so, you might be curious to know, “Can white fillings be whitened?” Or maybe you want to gift your pearly whites with a professional whitening session, and you wonder if the whitening treatment works on the dental filling to make them even whiter than they naturally are. Well, let’s find out.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Fillings?
The answer is no. Although this method can make your natural teeth look whiter, you can’t use teeth whitening with fillings to change their color. Whitening treatments do their job by working on tooth enamel, but they cannot have the same effect on fillings.
Tooth enamel has a porous surface. These surface pores are where staining pigments are trapped. Whitening agents penetrate this surface and break down stains, which makes the teeth look whiter after the treatment.
The surface of a composite filling is different. It is not porous like natural tooth enamel, and that’s why it won’t respond to whitening agents the same way real teeth do. Whitening material can even ruin the surface of composite fillings, making them rough and porous and prone to even more staining and discoloration.
Read more: Can Veneers Be Whitened?
Why Do Fillings Get Discolored?
Fillings (composite resins) are tooth colored, meaning that they’re designed to match your natural tooth color. However, according to a study on PubMed, they can change appearance over time. Unlike natural enamel, composite material doesn’t have the same structure, which means it reacts differently to daily habits. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Staining foods and drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored sauces can gradually stain the surface of fillings.
- Smoking: Tobacco is a major cause of yellowing or darkening in both teeth and fillings.
- Aging of the material: Composite resin can wear down or absorb pigments over the years, making older fillings look darker than your teeth.
- Poor bonding or surface roughness: If the filling isn’t sealed smoothly or has rough edges, it can trap stains more easily.
- Changes in surrounding teeth: Sometimes the filling hasn’t changed, but your natural teeth have whitened or darkened, making the filling stand out.
Learn more about our tooth-colored dental filling service: Tooth Colored Filling
Rely on Our Help for a Brighter Smile!
If your white fillings no longer match your teeth or you’re thinking about upgrading your smile, our team at My Dentist Langley can help. Whether it’s polishing, replacing, or exploring cosmetic options, we’ll find the right solution for you.
Alternative Ways to Make Your Fillings Look Better
If your white fillings no longer match your teeth, you still have options to improve your smile. While whitening fillings won’t change their color, dentists can offer several treatments to refresh or upgrade their appearance.
Professional Dental Cleaning
A professional teeth cleaning can sometimes improve the appearance of your fillings by removing surface stains around them. While cleaning won’t actually whiten the filling material itself, it can make your overall smile look fresher and reduce the contrast between your teeth and the filling.
Replace the Filling
When a filling is older, deeply stained, or doesn’t match your current tooth shade, replacement is usually the best option. Your dentist can remove the old composite and place a new one that blends seamlessly with your teeth. Modern materials are stronger and more stain-resistant than older composites, giving you a more natural look.
Teeth Whitening Before Replacement
Because whitening treatments only work on natural enamel, they won’t affect the color of fillings. If you want a brighter smile overall, it’s smart to get teeth whitening first and then replace any fillings that no longer match. This way, your dentist can match the new fillings to your lighter tooth shade for a consistent result.
Further Reading: Does Teeth Whitening Remove a Thin Layer from Your Teeth?
Upgrading to Veneers or Crowns
If you’re unhappy with the overall look of your teeth, not just the fillings, veneers, or crowns may be a better long-term option. Dental veneers cover the front of the tooth, while dental crowns cover the whole tooth, creating a uniform, whiter appearance. These treatments are more of an investment but can provide a complete cosmetic transformation.
If you’re not sure whether veneers are safe for your teeth, this guide gives you practical insights: Does veneers ruin your teeth?
When Fillings Don’t Match, We Have the Solution
Both natural teeth and dental fillings can change their color over time for various reasons. While white fillings cannot be whitened using the same methods as teeth, there are still other ways to maintain a good-looking smile if you have issues with the appearance of your dental filling.
If you have other questions in mind about the discoloration of your fillings and you need advice, contact us to receive professional consultation from our experienced dentist in Langley. We specialize in helping patients restore their smile with solutions tailored to their needs, from professional polishing and filling replacements to veneers and other cosmetic dental treatments.
FAQ
Do white fillings turn yellow?
Yes, white (composite) fillings can discolor over time. Things like coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, or simply aging can cause them to turn yellow or darker. Unlike natural teeth, fillings don’t respond to whitening treatments, so once they’re stained, they usually need polishing or replacement to restore a natural look.
Is it better to replace old fillings or get veneers if I want a whiter smile?
It depends on your goals and the condition of your teeth. If only your fillings are discolored, replacing them with new, shade-matched ones is usually the simplest and most cost-effective option. However, if you’re looking for a complete smile makeover, veneers may be a better long-term solution.
Does insurance cover replacing white fillings for cosmetic reasons?
Most dental insurance plans do not cover filling replacement if the only reason is cosmetic (for example, if you just want them whiter). If you’re aiming for a whiter smile, it’s usually considered an elective cosmetic procedure and would be an out-of-pocket cost.
Can my dentist match a new filling exactly to my current tooth shade?
Yes, modern composite resins come in a wide range of shades, and dentists are skilled at blending them to match your natural teeth. If you’re planning to whiten your teeth, it’s best to do that first and then replace or place new fillings afterward so the dentist can match the brighter shade.
Have you noticed your white fillings changing color, or are you thinking about replacing them for a brighter smile? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
