Can I Whiten My Teeth After Undergoing Dental Implants? | Dental Implants, Wichita, KS
One of the most common questions our team at Cambridge Family Dentistry, a provider of dental implants in Wichita, Kansas, receives is if patients can whiten their dental implants. While patients may still benefit from the effects of teeth whitening on their natural teeth, any restorations, such as dental implants and crowns, will not be affected due to the porous porcelain materials used. If you have a dental implant and are not happy with the color of your smile, worry not. Our team has detailed how you can continue to maintain a bright smile below!
Why Can’t I Whiten a Dental Implant?
While dental implants are a great solution to fixing missing or chipped teeth in your smile, teeth whitening techniques will only work on your natural teeth and not dental implants. This is because implants are typically made from porcelain or other porous materials that will not respond to whitening treatments. The good news is dental implants are highly stain-resistant, so they do not become discolored throughout your lifetime! Before undergoing dental implants, it is best to consult with your dentist to determine your ideal tooth shade and undergo professional whitening services before having your crown placed. Because the color is baked into the crown, it is challenging to lighten the implant once placed, but you may be able to work with your laboratory to lighten the color of the original crown and have it replaced.
Tips for Maintaining a Bright Smile
If you have dental implants, there are still ways to help keep your smile white and your teeth looking evenly colored for years to come! Our team at Cambridge Family Dentistry, an experienced provider of dental implants in Wichita, recommends whitening your teeth to your desired color before placing your dental crown and then matching the crown to your whitened shade. When doing so, keep in mind that the crown’s color will not change, so you will need to maintain the whiteness of your natural teeth, or your crown will begin to stick out. As long as you maintain proper oral hygiene practices and ensure you get a complementary color match, you should not experience any issues with the long-term color of your implants. Implement the following practices to keep your smile bright and healthy for years to come:
Avoid drinking excessive amounts of red wine, coffee, or tea.
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking dark liquids or eating stain-inducing foods like berries.
Brush and floss your teeth twice daily.
Schedule regular dental cleanings with your dentist every six months.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in all articles published on the Cambridge Family Dentistry website do not necessarily reflect the views of our staff members at Cambridge Family Dentistry.
Why Can’t I Whiten a Dental Implant?
