I recently started whitening my teeth, but I’ve noticed that my implant – which used to match my teeth – is darker. Why is my implant not getting whiter along with the rest of my teeth? — Rick in Arkansas
Rick,
There’s good news and bad news with your situation. The good news is that the color you originally chose for your dental implant crown is sealed in, meaning it is very resistant to stains. The bad news is that it makes it impossible to whiten. This is because most at home whitening systems only work to remove surface stains and professional whitening systems permeate below the tooth’s surface to oxidize the stain. There are no dental restorations on the market today that work with either of these options. That is why whitening should be done prior to having any dental restorations, and your dental office should have offered it to you upfront and given the color time to stabilize before deciding on a shade.
Unfortunately, your only real option now is replacing the crown. If you’re satisfied with the shade you have achieved with the rest of your teeth, allow a few weeks for the color to stabilize before setting up an appointment. If you are looking to go whiter and want to do it faster, find a good cosmetic dentist who can help you determine what whitening options best suit your situation before you have the crown remade.
This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.