Professional bleaching teeth
Professional tooth bleaching lightens natural tooth colour with a peroxide gel selected and applied after an oral examination.
The short answer
Bleaching is a cosmetic procedure for natural enamel and dentine. Peroxide moves through enamel and breaks down some colour molecules, but it does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations.
Why must teeth and gums be checked before bleaching?
A dentist first checks for decay, cracked enamel, leaking fillings, gum disease, and exposed root surfaces. The team protects the gums, applies the prescribed gel to the chosen teeth, controls contact time, and may provide custom trays for a supervised home phase.
What should you do before having teeth professionally bleached?
Book an assessment before bleaching if you have tooth pain, untreated cavities, gum inflammation, enamel defects, or extensive visible restorations. Contact the dental team if marked sensitivity, gum irritation, or uneven colour persists.
When should tooth darkening be assessed by a dentist?
Ask whether the darkening is surface stain or an internal colour change, and which restorations will remain unchanged. Ask how sensitivity will be managed and whether existing fillings need replacement for colour matching.
Which bleaching questions should you ask about restorations?
Bleaching changes natural tooth colour but not the shade of most restorations.
Frequently asked questions
No. It can respond differently to surface stains and internal discolouration, and some colour changes need restorative or other treatment.
Can bleaching whiten crowns?
No. Crowns are made from restorative materials whose shade is set during fabrication; the dentist can discuss replacement or another cosmetic option if shades no longer match.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.