Laser Teeth Whitening and Crowns, Fillings and Implants

For discolored teeth, laser teeth whitening is an appealing treatment. Ugly yellow, brown, or gray stains stand out and affect your smile. You may feel embarrassed about your appearance and want to avoid showing your teeth. Professional whitening processes using lasers can effectively change the color shade of your natural teeth. As you learn more about this procedure, you can be prepared to move forward with getting a smile makeover. If you have restorations such as crowns, fillings, and implants, however, you may want to rethink this approach.

Keeping teeth white

It is hard to imagine anyone who would not want to maintain white teeth. Laser teeth whitening can remove these unwanted stains quickly. There are also things that patients can do to prevent teeth from staining in the first place. This begins with good oral hygiene, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Using fluoride-based toothpaste on the teeth will help to maintain an attractive white shade. This activity will remove the sugars and starches that discolor teeth.

There are also certain things that people eat and drink that can cause staining. These include foods such as fruits and tomato sauce. Beverages that discolor teeth are cola, wine, and coffee. People do not have to eliminate these items from their diet, but limiting them will help. Also, avoiding tobacco use will prevent discoloration.

How laser teeth whitening works

To whiten teeth, people can purchase toothpaste and whitening strip products from the store. There are also gels that dentists can provide, which the patient will apply on trays to wear overnight. These methods can take weeks or months to produce a noticeable difference. By using lasers, the dentist can change the color shade within days.

This treatment occurs in the office and takes less than an hour. The dentist applies a hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth and then activates the chemicals using a laser. The ingredients penetrate deep into the teeth and break down the molecules that cause staining. Patients only need one or two treatments this way to get the desired color shade.

Restoration will not change colors

Patients who have porcelain or ceramic fillings, implants, or crowns are not good candidates for laser teeth whitening. These materials are not porous and will not change colors when this treatment is applied. If the patient whitens any natural teeth, they will be a different color than the restorations, which will then stand out. The treatment will not harm the crowns, implants, or fillings but will also not alter their appearance.

Replacing the restorations

Patients who still want to do a laser teeth whitening procedure have some options. To match the color of the natural teeth with the restorations, the dentist can do the treatment and then replace the restorations. The dentist will choose the right color shade for the crown, filling, or implant. These will then blend in with the newly whitened teeth.