Can You Still Have Teeth Whitening Done Even if You Have Dental Implants?

Not too long ago, you had dental implants placed in order to fill in some empty space in your smile. You’re more than happy with the results, but lately, you’ve noticed that some of your natural teeth are looking duller than you would like. You’re thinking about having teeth whitening performed in order to brighten your grin – but is that even an option after receiving dental implants? Here are the facts about professional whitening and whether it could be a viable choice in your case.

How Teeth Whitening Works

There are two types of professional whitening: in-office whitening and take-home whitening. With in-office whitening, your dentist applies a special bleaching gel to your teeth. The ingredients in the gel allow it to remove stain particles from above and below the enamel, making it an excellent choice for addressing all kinds of tooth discoloration. Oftentimes, in-office whitening can be completed in just an hour.

With take-home whitening, you’ll be given a kit that includes bleaching gel and whitening trays. You’ll also receive instructions for filling the trays with the gel and wearing them on a daily basis. Many people see a noticeable improvement after using their whitening kit for about two weeks.

So, Can You Have Teeth Whitening Performed After Dental Implant Placement?

You can indeed have teeth whitening performed even if you already have dental implants. It’s important to note, though, that the treatment will only affect your natural teeth; it can’t be used to change the color of an implant crown, bridge, or denture.

Consequently, once the teeth whitening process is complete, your dental implant prosthesis is likely to be a different color compared to the rest of your smile, making it stand out. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. You can simply have the prosthesis replaced with one that has been properly shaded to match your new grin.

Is Teeth Whitening After Dental Implants a Good Choice for You?

So, should you go ahead and have teeth whitening performed? You could be a good candidate if:

• You still have plenty of natural teeth that have become discolored for one reason or another.
• Your teeth and gums are in good health overall.
• You do not suffer from unusually sensitive teeth.
• You are not allergic to the ingredients used in professional whitening gel.

If you’re not sure whether teeth whitening is truly the best option for you, remember that you can always schedule a consultation with your dentist. Once they’re fully familiar with the details of your situation – including the presence of dental implants – they can give you a recommendation.

About the Author

Dr. Corey Martinez is a member of the Indiana Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and other organizations. His Indianapolis practice, Martinez Dentistry, offers start-to-finish dental implant treatments for replacing missing teeth as well as professional teeth whitening for removing dental stains. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Martinez, visit his website or call (317) 846-3431.