Dental implants are often heralded as the best form of tooth replacement, and for good reason. They are strong, long-lasting, and beautiful. But what if your implant is not quite as beautiful as you wish it was? You might want to whiten your smile, including your implant, but not know if that is possible. This blog post answers the question, “Can I whiten my teeth if I have a dental implant?”
Implant Crowns Do Not Respond to Whitening Formulas
Natural teeth respond to whitening formulas because they are porous; the whitening products are able to penetrate the enamel and break up unwanted pigment molecules.
Unfortunately, the crowns that get placed on top of dental implants are somewhat different. They are usually made out of porcelain, which is a nonporous material that does not become brighter if it is exposed to normal teeth whitening products.
If you whiten your teeth while you have an implant, all of your natural teeth may become brighter, but your implant crown will retain its original color.
Options for a Brighter Smile
The above information is not meant to say that you should refrain from teeth whitening if you have a dental implant. In fact, you have a few options for brightening your smile.
If your implant is toward the back of your mouth, it may not be visible when you smile. You could choose to whiten your natural teeth without worrying about the color of the implant.
If your implant is visible when you smile, you have a more complex process in front of you. Talk to your dentist about your desire to whiten your teeth. After your smile is the desired shade, your dentist can remove your old crown and replace it with a new one that is shade-matched to the brighter color of your teeth.
Of course, if your implant has not yet been restored with a crown, you have a golden opportunity in front of you. You may be able to whiten your teeth now, so your dentist will be able to provide a crown that fits in flawlessly with the rest of your smile. Keep in mind that you will have to whiten your teeth periodically so they continue to match the color of your crown.
Teeth whitening is not always simple if you have dental implants, but it is possible! Talk to your dentist about your options for enhancing the color of your smile.
Meet the Practice
Here at Aveni Dental Professionals, we are proud to offer both teeth whitening and dental implant services. If you have questions about how to maintain a beautiful and healthy smile, we would be happy to speak with you. Contact our Plymouth dental office at 508-746-1918.