Will Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?

Situations Where Whitening May Not Help

• Restorations in front teeth: Crowns, veneers, or large fillings don’t respond to bleach. Whitening can’t change their colour, so they’ll remain their original shade while natural enamel lightens.
• Intrinsic staining: Some discolourations are internal (inside the tooth) and don’t respond well to surface whitening. Examples include staining from certain medications or trauma.
• Extremely dark or grey teeth: Heavily stained or deep grey teeth may only lighten partially, leaving a mismatch or needing alternative solutions.
• Old restorations: If you have older dental work, their margins might absorb stain or change colour differently, leading to uneven results.

What You Can Do Instead

If standard whitening won’t work well in your case, there are alternatives:

• Replace or match restorations: Post-whitening, crowns or veneers can be replaced with shapes and shades that match your new tooth colour.
• Veneers or bonding: These cosmetic options can cover teeth surfaces fully, allowing you to change shape or colour more reliably.
• Consult a dentist first: A dental assessment can determine whether your staining is internal or external, what restorations you have, and what approach will deliver the most consistent result.