Many people desire a brighter smile, and teeth whitening is a common way to achieve it. However, if you have dental implants, you might wonder if whitening will work for you. Unfortunately, traditional whitening treatments don’t affect implants; they only work on natural teeth. This means your implants will remain the same color even if your natural teeth become whiter. But don’t worry, there are other solutions available. Keep reading to learn about alternatives.
Can Dental Implants Be Whitened?
Dental implant crowns are usually made of porcelain, which is less porous than natural enamel and therefore more resistant to stains. However, this also means traditional whitening treatments don’t work on porcelain.
Stains don’t penetrate the surface of porcelain crowns like they do with natural teeth, rendering professional whitening treatments ineffective. Fortunately, your dentist has other methods to help brighten your smile.
What If I Want to Brighten My Smile?
Getting a uniformly white smile can be difficult with dental implants because the dental-grade porcelain used for implants doesn’t react to bleaching solutions like natural teeth do. This can result in a noticeable color difference between the implant crown and your natural teeth, leading to an uneven and potentially unnatural appearance.
For a brighter smile, you have two options. If you haven’t had your implant treatment yet, whiten your natural teeth first so the implant crown can be matched to your new tooth color. If you already have implants, keep in mind that while porcelain is stain-resistant, it can still discolor over time. In such cases, you’ll need alternative methods to maintain a consistent and bright smile.
If your dental implant becomes discolored, consult your dentist to discuss treatment options for restoring your smile. They may suggest replacing the porcelain crown on your implant. Once this is done, you can use teeth whitening treatments to brighten your natural teeth and achieve a more uniform look.
About Our Practice
At Columbus Dental Arts, we take great pride in providing personalized dental care tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Our skilled team is committed to enhancing, strengthening, and revitalizing smiles with comprehensive and individualized services for all ages. By working closely with you, we develop custom treatment plans that address your unique preferences and dental goals. Our team is passionate about creating a welcoming and positive environment while delivering top-quality care. For those interested in a brighter smile, we offer various teeth whitening options. To learn more about teeth whitening with dental implants or to make an appointment, visit Columbus Dental Arts’ website or call (609) 324-9500.