Dental implants remain one of the most superior ways to replace one or more missing teeth. However, their permanence and durability do not safeguard them against normal daily wear and tear and unhealthy habits. Stains can form, leaving you to wonder if professional teeth whitening is a possible solution. Your local dentist is here to explain how you can restore your smile’s brighter appearance most effectively.
Can Teeth Whitening Change the Look of Dental Implants?
In short, no. While there are many differences between real and artificial teeth, one that stands out when discussing teeth whitening is their porosity. Natural teeth are highly porous, so stains and discoloration are likely to occur over time because small particles can pass through the microscopic holes within the enamel.
Artificial teeth, though, are not porous. They are made using various materials (i.e., porcelain, ceramic, etc.) that make it significantly harder for stains to form. Surface discoloration caused by consuming dark-colored beverages and foods or smoking can certainly occur.
How Can I Whiten All of My Teeth So They Appear the Same?
If you’re looking to achieve a brighter, more uniform smile, there are a few steps you will need to take. First, you can opt for professional teeth whitening, but you must understand that it can only be used on your natural teeth.
In-office or take-home whitening kits provided by your cosmetic dentist produce far better results than those found over the counter at your local drugstore. The reason is that the professional-strength whitening gel that is used successfully targets surface and deep-down stains.
For your dental implants, you will need to discuss having your crown, bridge, or denture re-created. Since these teeth will not respond to teeth whitening products, the only way for them to match your brighter, natural ones is to replace them.
Depending on whether your dentist uses an outside lab or CEREC in-house milling unit to create a new restoration, you can expect your dental implants to closely match your natural teeth, creating a cohesive and beautiful appearance when finished.
Should Whitening My Teeth or Replacing My Dental Implants Come First?
During your consultation, you can talk to your cosmetic dentist about the best way to approach this type of care; however, they will likely recommend whitening your natural teeth first.
Doing so gives them a new shade to use when specifying the dimensions and details of your new dental implant restoration(s).
If your dental implants no longer look as vibrant as they once did, you don’t have to settle for this new normal. Instead, take the appropriate steps to enhance your smile with services that are most effective for your real and artificial teeth.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, our dentists are skilled in the art of cosmetic dentistry and restorative care. Recognizing that many patients have a mixture of real and artificial teeth, it is not uncommon to receive requests inquiring about teeth whitening as it pertains to dental implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures. Using appropriate techniques and services, we can recreate a more vibrant appearance no matter the type of teeth a person has, so contact us at (682) 289-6131 to find out how we can help you see a more even, beautiful smile.