Teeth whitening is a simple and quick cosmetic dental treatment that can freshen up your smile and renew your confidence! Even better, most people are good candidates for professional teeth whitening. But what if you have a dental implant? Can you still brighten up your grin? This blog post provides some important information.
Teeth Whitening Does Not Work on Dental Implants
Natural teeth respond to teeth whitening because they are porous; the whitening formula can penetrate them and break up unwanted pigment molecules.
Dental implants, on the other hand, do not respond to whitening treatments because they are made of completely different materials than natural teeth. The visible part of your implant is a crown, typically made of nonporous porcelain or ceramic. Whitening gel will not change the crown’s color.
Therefore, if you have an implant toward the front of your mouth, whitening products may leave you with a mismatched smile.
Brightening Your Smile with Dental Implants
You can still improve the look of your smile if you have a dental implant! If the implant sits toward the back of your mouth, teeth whitening could still be a good option because the color difference may not be obvious when you smile.
If the implant sits in a more visible spot, your dentist can help you reach your aesthetic goals. For example, you may whiten your natural teeth first and then match a new crown to the updated shade. That approach can help you achieve a smile that looks balanced and natural. Your dentist can give you tips on how to care for your new crown so that it maintains its beautiful color. For example, you should avoid using abrasive oral hygiene products that might scratch it because even tiny scratches can collect pigments.
Another potential option involves simply polishing the crown. If it has a bit of minor discoloration, your dentist may be able to clean it up so it looks better.
You can achieve a brighter smile even if you have dental implants! Talk to your dentist to learn about your options for achieving a glorious new glow for your grin.
Meet the Practice
At Aveni Dental Professionals, our highly skilled team offers a wide variety of treatments, including comprehensive dental implant services, teeth whitening, and more. If you are ready to improve the health, function, or appearance of your smile, we are ready to design a custom treatment plan for you. To request a consultation or learn more about us, contact us at 508-217-7454.