I’m getting a dental crown and need to touch up my whitening before I do so I get the right color crown. I just have a few questions before I do that. How many weeks will I need to touch up? Is there a certain number of hours a day? Do I need a time period between the time I finish whitening and the dental crown procedure?
Callie
Dear Callie,
I’m a little concerned your dentist hasn’t gone over all of this with you during the planning phase of your crown. The reason this worries me is it says a lot about his (or her) skill in the cosmetic side of his field. He may be just an engineering-oriented dentist, interested in mechanics but no skill in the aesthetics of cosmetic dentistry.
This is a problem for you. I’m assuming the crown will be visible when you smile and that is why you are trying to freshen up your teeth whitening before getting the crown done. It won’t matter how white your teeth are if your dentist can only make a sound, but mediocre-looking crown.
Some Teeth Whitening Tips
There are many variables in what you’re asking. The longer you whiten, the whiter your teeth get. While that seems like a no brainer, the speed of the whitening slows down. Here’s what you need to consider in planning this out:
1. The number of weeks depends on the amount of time you whiten each day. Obviously, the more you keep the whitening trays in the fewer weeks you’ll need.
2. The amount of time you whiten each day is dependent on your sensitivity to the gel. If you can sleep in them overnight, the treatment will go much faster. This is because your saliva slows down throughout the night so the gel stays in longer making it more potent. If that’s not possible for you, then keep them in as long as you can throughout the day, but not causing sensitivity. There’s no need to torture yourself for this. The whitening will happen.
3. How long between whitening and getting your dental crown is the easy bit. It takes two weeks for the color to settle.
Best of luck to you! This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.