Dental implants are a great way to keep your smile looking beautiful if you’ve experienced broken or missing teeth. Like your natural teeth, dental implants need to be taken care of. You can’t just get your dental implants and expect them to stay in good working condition. You need to brush, floss, mouth wash, everything you do for your natural teeth. And just like your natural teeth, dental implants can become discolored. So people in Bethlehem, PA want to know: Can dental implants be whitened? The short answer is no, but here’s why.
Does Whitening Dental Implants Work?
Unlike whitening your natural teeth, traditional whiteners don’t work on the porcelain that dental implants are made out of; so it's impossible to whiten your dental implants once they are in your mouth. A whitening treatment may actually cause damage to both your fake and natural teeth, especially if your implants are older or the teeth around them have begun to decay. If you use an over-the-counter whitening kit, you may experience sensitivity, burning, or tissue irritation. The whitening may remove superficial stains such as coffee, but you should never start a whitening routine without checking with your dentist and Bethlehem, PA prosthodontist first. There may be other ways you can brighten your dental implants.
Getting Brighter Teeth
It's unlikely that your dental implants will ever change colors once in your mouth. They may get temporary stains from food and drinks, but when you brush your teeth, those superficial stains will wash away. It is very difficult to permanently stain the porcelain. It’s natural to want to whiten your teeth. Over time, your natural teeth will start absorbing stains and change shades while your dentures stay the same shade as when they were installed.
No one likes having multi colored teeth. If you are looking to whiten your natural teeth, you should consider talking with your dentist to find a quality whitening option that's safe for your natural teeth and your dental implants. To talk to our prosthodontist about Bethlehem, PA dental implants contact Advanced Prosthodontics today at (610) 865-4222.