Does Teeth Whitening Work After Getting Dental Implants?

Dental implants have allowed millions of people to replace their missing teeth with lifelike restorations that look and work just like the real thing. While dental implants are designed to last for decades, they can still develop buildup and show wear as time goes on, and many people wonder if they can turn to cosmetic dentistry to address this. Here’s what you should know about getting teeth whitening treatments with dental implants.

Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Implants?

Dental implants are made of porcelain or another ceramic material which gives them the color, texture, and luster of natural teeth. In fact, porcelain is stronger than enamel and immune to tooth decay. While this is certainly great for your overall oral health, it also means that teeth whitening treatments are ineffective on them. A patient with dental implants who receives teeth whitening will find that their natural teeth are whiter while their dental implants remain the same color. Fortunately, other solutions are available.

 How Can I Have a Whiter Smile if I Have Dental Implants?

There are several ways for dental implant patients to achieve a whiter smile. A few of them include:

Get teeth whitening before getting dental implants

While dental implants cannot be whitened after being placed, they can be color-matched to teeth that have already been whitened. If you’re scheduled to receive dental implants, making an appointment to get teeth whitening beforehand will allow you to achieve a more ideal shade. Your dentist can then ensure that your artificial tooth is the same white color.

Have the artificial tooth replaced

If you already have dental implants but want a whiter smile, a simple way to achieve that is to have your teeth whitened and then have your dentist replace your artificial tooth with one that matches their new shade.

In either of these cases, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and will fade over time. Many dental implant patients have their teeth whitened periodically to maintain their smile’s shiny shade. If the implant is located in the back of the mouth, it’s also fair to consider whether the artificial tooth is visible enough to worry about in the first place.

Teeth whitening and dental implants can both help many patients achieve a more ideal smile. Consulting with your dentist can determine if either of these treatments is right for you.

About the Author

Dr. Byron McKnight has logged over 2,500 hours of continuing education credits covering advanced dental topics like complex restorative dentistry, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry. He is proud to be a fellow of the American Academy of Dentistry and the International Academy of Dentistry. His office in Mesquite, TX offers preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening as well as dental implants. For more information on enhancing your smile after restoring it with dental implants, contact his office online or dial (972) 698-8000.