Can You Whiten A Dental Implant?
We all want a bright, white smile. If you have invested in a dental implant, you might look in the mirror and notice that your natural teeth are getting yellow, but the implant stays the same color. Or maybe the implant was made too dark for your liking. This leads to a common question: “Can I bleach this thing?”
The short, hard truth is: No, you cannot whiten a dental implant. You can clean it, you can polish it, but you cannot change its color with chemicals. Here is why, and what you can do instead.
The Science of Tooth Whitening
To understand why implants don’t whiten, you need to know why natural teeth do.
Natural Enamel
Natural teeth are covered in enamel. Enamel has microscopic pores. Whitening products (carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) penetrate these pores and break down stain molecules inside the tooth. It is a chemical reaction.
Dental Implant Crown
An implant crown is made of either Porcelain (Ceramic) or Zirconia.
These materials are glass-like. They are not porous. They are designed to be stain-resistant. This is actually a feature! Your implant won’t absorb coffee stains like a natural tooth.
However, because they are not porous, whitening gel cannot penetrate them. The gel simply slides off the surface. The color of the crown is locked in at the molecular level when it is baked in the dental lab.
The “Mismatch” Problem
This creates a common aesthetic issue.
- You start with a matching smile.
- Over years, you drink coffee and red wine.
- Your natural teeth stain and yellow.
- Your implant crown stays perfectly white.
- Now the implant stands out. It looks too bright, or the natural teeth look too dark.
The Correct Solution: The “Reverse” Order
If you have an implant and you want a whiter smile, you must follow a specific order:
- Whiten First: Whiten your natural teeth before the dentist makes the implant crown.
- Wait: Wait about two weeks after whitening for the color of your natural teeth to settle (they sometimes relapse slightly).
- Match the Shade: The dentist takes a shade guide and picks the ceramic color that matches your newly whitened natural teeth.
What If You Already Have an Implant?
If you already have an implant and now want to whiten your natural teeth, you have two choices:
Option A: Whiten and Accept the Mismatch
If the difference isn’t too bad, you can whiten the natural teeth. The implant will look a bit more “chalky” or white, but it is fine.
Option B: Whiten and Replace the Crown
If you want perfection:
- Whiten your natural teeth.
- Have the dentist remove the old implant crown.
- Have a new crown fabricated to match the new color.
Cost: You have to pay for a new crown ($1,000 – $3,000).
Can You Stain an Implant Darker?
Sometimes the implant is too bright for the patient’s natural teeth (which they refuse to whiten). Can we darken the implant?
Yes. A skilled ceramist can apply a “stain” and “glaze” to the crown in the lab. The dentist can remove the crown, send it to the lab, and have them paint on a slightly darker color. This is known as “custom staining.”
Cleaning vs. Whitening
Don’t confuse the two.
- Cleaning: Removes surface debris (plaque, tartar). A dental hygienist can polish the implant crown to make it shiny.
- Whitening: Changes the internal color. This is impossible on implants.
Risks of Attempting to Whiten Implants
Do not try DIY hacks on an implant.
- Baking Soda: Too abrasive. It will scratch the glaze on the porcelain. Scratches make the surface rough, which does attract stains and bacteria.
- Purple Shampoo: There is a viral trend of using purple shampoo to whiten teeth. Do not use this on implants. It can stain the gums purple.
- Acid Whitening Strips: You might leave the strip on for too long, hoping it soaks in. It won’t. It will just burn your gums.
Table: Natural Teeth vs. Implant Stain Management
| Feature | Natural Tooth | Implant Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Porosity | Porous | Non-porous |
| Whitening Gel | Penetrates and works | Does not penetrate |
| Staining | Stains easily | Stain resistant |
| Cleaning | Brushing, polishing | Brushing, polishing (do not scratch) |
Conclusion
You cannot whiten a dental implant. The material does not allow it. To keep your smile uniform, you must whiten your natural teeth before the crown is made, or plan to replace the crown if you whiten later.
Additional Resource
For more on cosmetic dentistry, visit the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry at www.aacd.com.
