I am beginning to wonder if the person I am seeing is really a dentist. I have read online on multiple websites that I should get my teeth whitened before I get caps. This is really important because I am getting caps for both my front middle teeth and another crown to the right of the center. I found a dentist who says he does good caps for cheap, but for some reason he told me to get the caps first and then get my teeth whitened. He said that it’s more important to get my teeth fixed than to whiten them. I almost felt like he was trying to rush me into caps in case I change my mind. I am not going to change my mind about the caps but if this dentist keeps pressuring me I might change my mind about him and switch to another dentist. So I am wondering in what cases is it best to get caps first and teeth whitening second? Is this really an option or is this dentist trying to make sure he makes money off of caps? Thanks. Fina R.
Fina – What you read online is correct. If you want your teeth whitened and you want dental crowns (caps), your teeth should be whitened first.
After your teeth are whitened, your crowns will be made to match them. If the reverse is done, your teeth will probably end up being noticeably whiter than the crowns. Your teeth and gums need to be clean and in good condition before they are whitened, but your dentist should be able to address any issues first. A dentist can try to anticipate how white your teeth will get and make crowns accordingly, but the crowns are likely to be darker than your whitened teeth.
Based on the advice you have received from your dentist, you may want to consider getting a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist. A cosmetic dentist has post-graduate training in how to create beautiful smiles that look natural. Ask to see before-and-after pictures of teeth whitening and dental crowns.
It sounds as though you’ve received a low estimate for dental crowns. If the estimate is much lower than average for your area, you may be getting cheap crowns that won’t look natural, that fit poorly, or that will wear out quickly and need to be replaced.
Discuss your options for crowns and teeth whitening with one or two dentists who are trained in cosmetic dentistry. Request an appointment for a consultation. Weigh the decision carefully before you choose a dentist to restore your smile.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.