Filling whitening

Whitening lightens natural tooth structure, but it does not change the colour of a tooth-coloured filling.

A filling restores a cavity or damaged area with material such as composite resin, amalgam, glass ionomer, or ceramic. Whitening changes pigments within natural enamel and dentine, so the filling and the tooth can end up different shades.

The visible mismatch depends on the filling material, its age, staining around its margins, and the starting shade of the natural tooth. A dentist must also check for decay, cracks, leaking margins, and gum irritation before cosmetic treatment.

Have the tooth examined and discuss whitening first if the filling is sound and the surrounding teeth need lightening. After the natural teeth reach the planned shade, the dentist can match and replace a visible composite or ceramic restoration when clinically appropriate.

Seek care promptly for pain on biting, lingering cold sensitivity, a broken edge, food trapping, swelling, or a filling that has fallen out. Whitening should be assessed before use if you have untreated decay, exposed dentine, or inflamed gums.