Amelia Grant

Getting a dental implant is a great option to improve your smile while also keeping your teeth healthy and functional. However, if you are thinking about whitening your teeth, you may be wondering how this would affect your implant.

Continue reading to learn more about teeth whitening after a dental implant. Remember, if you decide to brighten your smile with professional whitening treatments, we can assist you in developing a whitening strategy.

Will Whitening My Teeth Harm My Dental Implant?
The good news is that dental implant whitening procedures will not harm your implant. This is because all of the materials used in dental implants are incredibly strong and long-lasting. Porcelain or any similar material is used to make the crown (the visible piece of your implant). These materials are chosen not just because they appear and feel like actual teeth but also because they are exceptionally robust.

As a result, dental implants can endure the wear and tear of chewing, brushing, and even the acidity of the foods we consume. Because of their hardness, dental implant materials can withstand even the most aggressive whitening procedures.   

How Teeth Whitening Affects Implants Differently Than Natural Teeth 
Teeth implants are not only durable, but they are also stain-resistant. Teeth whitening treatments cause a reaction that breaks down the stain, restoring the tooth's natural, whiter color. Crowns do not have stains that must be removed; they simply produce one color and remain that color.

If you whiten your teeth after obtaining an implant and your implant no longer matches your other brighter, whiter teeth, it is unlikely to be noticed if the implant is not visible in your mouth. When we smile, the majority of our teeth are hidden. Furthermore, teeth that are situated further back and only partially visible appear darker than our front teeth.

Consider that most people who receive veneers only have them done on their front 4-6 teeth. Because other teeth are not that visible, placing veneers on these teeth is usually not worth the expenditure. The same is true with implant-based whitening. Unless the implant is on a prominent front tooth, you're unlikely to notice whether it's a darker tint.

Is It Necessary to Replace Your Implant?
If your implant is on a visible tooth and you want to whiten your entire smile, you can replace it partially. The good news is that your entire implant does not need to be replaced. Instead, you can replace only the crown and leave the rest of the implant alone.

How to Avoid Tooth Discoloration
Foods and beverages will not change the color of your implant, just as teeth whitening will not. However, we do know that certain foods can induce natural tooth discoloration. Protecting your natural teeth from discoloration is the greatest approach to maintaining your implant and natural teeth merging flawlessly together.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration, so add it to the long list of reasons not to smoke. Stains can be caused by wine, coffee, tea, and vividly colored meals. Brushing twice a day for two minutes is vital for stain removal. Furthermore, after eating meals that may create stains, swish water around your mouth to help remove pigments from the surfaces of your teeth.

Make a Plan for a Whiter, Brighter Smile
If your implant is older and appears whiter than your natural teeth, whitening could be an excellent option. If you want to whiten your teeth but are concerned about your crown becoming considerably darker, you may still have options. In any case, seeking professional advice on teeth whitening and implant care is always the best way.