It’s natural to want a bright, white smile. Normally, when dental stains make your grin appear tarnished and yellowy, you’d go to your dentist for a professional whitening treatment. However, the process is a bit more involved when you have cosmetics or restorations like dental implants!
If you’re wondering how this works, keep reading. This post will tell you everything you need to know.
Technically, Teeth Whitening Doesn’t Work on Implants
The agents your dentist uses to whiten teeth are specifically formulated to slip through the pours in your enamel. This is why professional treatments are so much more effective than store-bought products, but it’s also why teeth whitening technically doesn’t work on dental implants. Implant crowns are typically made from porcelain, which has much smaller pours than dental enamel – meaning those whitening agents ultimately can’t reach the stains that are causing yellowing.
Fortunately, Your Dentist Can Help
This doesn’t mean there isn’t a way for your dentist to whiten your dental implants! If you haven’t had them placed yet, you can get a normal whitening treatment for your natural teeth, and then your dentist can simply color-match your implant crown based on your smile’s new shade.
If you already have dental implants that are firmly in place, the process is only slightly more involved. Your dentist can remove the crown, whiten your natural teeth, and polish off your grin by replacing your implant with a freshly color-matched restoration.
Maintaining Your Bright Smile
Though it’s well-worth it to have a satisfying smile, whitening your teeth with dental implants can be a bit inconvenient. So how can you ensure your restoration stays pearly for as long as possible?
Your dentist can give you more advice based on your unique situation, but generally, these are good maintenance tips to follow:
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Floss at least once per day
- Make regular cleaning appointments with your dentist
- Avoid strongly pigmented foods and drinks
- Rinse your mouth with water after your meals
Remember, if it’s a prettier smile you’re after, your dentist is the perfect professional to talk to!
About the Practice
At BridgeMill Dental Care, we understand that the way your teeth look can be just as important as how well they function. That’s why we love dental implants – they truly offer patients the best of both worlds! If you want to make sure your new smile will be pearly white or think it’s time to update your current implants, contact our office at 803-650-3925 to schedule an appointment today.