Can You Whiten Dental Implants?
Professional teeth whitening is popular among people who value a bright smile, but what if your teeth are implants? Does whitening still work? The truth is that standard whitening treatments are ineffective when used on dental implants. However, there are alternative methods that your dentist can use to remove stains.
How to Whiten Your Dental Implants
Standard whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, have little to no impact on dental implants. However, dentists can remove stains from implants by polishing them. This treatment removes a very thin layer of material from the surface of the implant to reveal the whiter, unstained material beneath.
Is It Always Possible to Whiten Dental Implants?
Sometimes, a scratch in the surface of a dental implant provides a groove in which stubborn stains can develop. If the scratch is very deep, it is unlikely that a simple polishing procedure will be able to whiten your dental implants.
In this case, your best option is to have your dentist replace the stained crown. There is no need to replace the metal post that secures the implant in your gum, as dental implants are designed so that the crown portion can be removed and replaced without affecting the supporting post. Therefore, this replacement process will be much less invasive and involve much less recovery than the original dental implant fitting procedure.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Due to the difficulties involved in whitening dental implants, it is a good idea to try to prevent stains from building up in the first place. The same chemicals that stain natural teeth — particularly the tannins found in coffee, red wine, and tea — can also alter the appearance of dental implants. Try to limit how often you drink these beverages, or at least rinse your mouth after consuming them. Brushing and flossing every day can also help to reduce the development of stains.
Whitening Natural Teeth And Partial Implants
If you have some dental implants and some natural teeth, you should be aware that any home whitening treatments you use on your teeth will not change the shade of the implants. This can lead to a mismatched appearance in your smile. The safest way to brighten your smile in this situation is to consult a cosmetic dentist. These professionals can recommend and carry out whitening treatments that leave both your natural teeth and your partial dental implants with the same bright, white appearance.