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Teeth Whitening on Decayed Teeth?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Elizabeth Jahanian, DDS
Question viewed 1,782 times
Tags: teeth, decay, safety, whiten

Is it safe to do teeth whitening if some of my teeth are decayed?

7 answers to Teeth Whitening on Decayed Teeth?

+1

Restore your decayed teeth.

Restoring decayed teeth is more important to your health than whitening and should be taken care of as soon as you can.  Once you have restored your decayed teeth and have gotten a professional cleaning, then you can go forth with whitening options.  However, keep in mind that dental fillings and crowns can not be whitened with whitening products.  Thus, there may be a shade discrepency when you whiten your teeth after placing your fillings and crowns, and this may be an... more
Elizabeth Jahanian, DDS

Corona Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Need to take care of basic dental problems, such as decay, before cosmetic ones

You really need to take care of basic dental problems, such as decay, before purely cosmetic issues like whitening. It's possible to need root canal treatment or even lose teeth if decay is extensive and treatment is delayed. If areas of decay are very small and not very deep, you could get away with whitening first, but I would worry it would be painful. Sensitivity is the most frequent complaint when whitening intact, healthy teeth. Whitening teeth with cavities of any size in them is... more
Paul D. Kantor, DDS

Cleveland Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Whitening Decayed Teeth

I think that i became a dentist to help people take care of their teeth and keep them healthy first and foremost.  The second thing i would do is the cosmetic whitening the patient requested and i would do it that order. It would be less painful for the patient doing  the whitening last and ,honestly, the patient as well as the dentist need to make sure the teeth and gums are healthy before cosmetic work is done. 
Robert Fields, DDS

Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Front teeth are fine for initial whitening, then fillings

Your back teeth will probably need to be filled first before any whitening is performed due to the sensitivity it could create. Front teeth can be whitened first because its easier to match the shade of the incisors if they have been whitened first. General rule of course, not carved in stone. Your dentist will let you know whats best.
Michael J. Thomas, DDS

Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Whitening Decayed Teeth

It depends. If the decayed areas are very small, you can whiten first. For instance -- if you have decay in your front teeth, you may want to whiten first -- then your cosmetic dentist can repair the teeth using a white bonding material to match your newly whitened teeth. However, if you have deep areas of decay - or a lot of (rampant) decay -- you will need to get the decay under control first.
Susan Goode Estep, DMD

Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist

www.atlantadentalspa.com

+1

Teeth Whitening on tooth decay may hurt

While it is "OK" to do it, there likely will be pain and discomfort if done. Whitening gel can wick moisture out of teeth and make them ache. Decay allows more "wicking" and result in pain. The color of the decay won't change, so the end result is still a need for fillings or other restoration. In the case of large amounts of decay, it is not uncommon to place a temporary filling, bleach, then finish/redo the filling. If fillings currently exist but have decay, there... more
Lance Timmerman, DMD

Seattle Cosmetic Dentist
+1

What is first - Filling or Teeth Whitening

It depends. In general, it is not prudent. Only your treating doctor can determine that though. For example, you need a filling on a front tooth. Do you restore it with the present color of the tooth to protect it, and then do whitening or do whitening first and then match the color of the tooth to a new filling? Dr. A.
Michael Ayzin, DDS

Costa Mesa Cosmetic Dentist

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