It should come as no surprise that professional teeth whitening is a popular procedure for individuals who want to brighten their smiles. But what if you have replaced one or more of your teeth with dental implants? Can you still undergo teeth whitening, or will you need to pursue other options? Here’s what you need to know to help you achieve the brilliant grin that you’ve always wanted.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Professional teeth whitening involves applying a special gel to your smile. The gel contains ingredients that can penetrate your enamel and break up the molecules of any stains or discolored spots. Teeth whitening is often performed in-office, but patients also have the option of using a take-home whitening kit.
Can You Whiten Your Teeth After Getting Dental Implants?
The simple answer is yes, but there’s a caveat. The natural teeth that you currently have can still be whitened, allowing you to get rid of any stains that are bothering you. However, the whitening process will not work on your dental implants. Simply put, the restoration that the dental implants support does not consist of real enamel, so the whitening gel won’t have any effect on it.
Luckily, you don’t have to force yourself to live with a discolored dental implant restoration; you always have the option of trading it out for a new one. Note that any teeth whitening you want to do should ideally be performed before you replace your restoration. That way, said restoration can be customized in order to match the new appearance of your smile.
Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Of course, before you make any commitments, you will need to make sure that you’re able to have teeth whitening performed in the first place. As such, step one of the process is to schedule a consultation with your dentist so that they can take a closer look at your smile.
Generally speaking, your teeth need to be in good health before you can move forward with the whitening treatment. Thus, it will be necessary to make sure that you aren’t currently suffering from any cavities. Also, your dentist should be informed of your dental implants or any other type of dental work that you’ve had done so that they can take such factors into account when planning your cosmetic dentistry treatment.
You deserve to have a smile that you can show off with pride. If you’re interested in pursuing cosmetic dentistry after getting a dental implant, talk to your dentist today to learn more about your options.
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, and he is currently a member of multiple dental organizations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His Oklahoma City practice, Mitchell Smile Design, offers teeth whitening along with other types of cosmetic dentistry. Additionally, he is partnered with local experts who can place dental implants. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mitchell, visit his website or call (405) 755-2670.
