I have two missing teeth that never came in when I was a child. I have two false teeth attached to a retainer. I’m saving up for two dental implants, but know that my teeth have yellowed. My dentist said not to worry about that because the dental implants can be made to match my teeth. The thing is, I’d rather they match whiter teeth. Is it possible to whiten my regular teeth and the fake teeth? Do they whiten the same way or do I need two different ways? I’d like to do it before I get the implants so my “new smile” can be prettier.
Sandy M.
Dear Sandy,
You’ll be much happier with dental implants than with your retainer. It’s a big improvement in treatment. There will be no retainer for food to get under, and the treatment is permanent. It will be much easier to eat and you’ll be able to care for the implants just as you would your natural teeth.
As for whitening your teeth, it’s a great idea to do it before you begin your dental implant procedure. Your teeth will whiten beautifully. Unfortunately, your false teeth attached to the retainer will not. There’s not a separate procedure to whiten them either. They’re not very expensive, so you could have them re-done to match your whitened teeth. This way all your teeth would match until your dental implant procedure was completed.
The thing to beware of is the skill of the dentist. Your dental crowns that attach the implants will be visible, so you’ll want a dentist who can make them look natural and attractive. Color is not the same uniformly down your teeth. For it to be natural looking, the dentist will have to understand how the coloration works.
Check out their smile galleries. Make sure you like the results they’ve gotten before you let them near your teeth.
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