Do Whitened Teeth Look Fake?

Do Whitened Teeth Look Fake?

Some of the main questions we get from patients seeking teeth whitening treatments are about how we avoid them looking fake. Many of us would like to boost our smiles, but don’t want the impact to be too obvious. Sometimes, overly-whitened teeth do end up looking strange – which may cause further issues in trying to ensure the rest of your appearance looks just as ‘good’. But with years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, we know teeth whitening doesn’t have to mean looking fake!

In this guide, we’ll look into why some whitened teeth look fake – and what to discuss with your dentist before getting your teeth whitened to avoid this.

The Science of Teeth Whitening

Before looking at why some whitened teeth look fake, it’s worth considering how teeth whitening works. The science behind teeth whitening is actually fairly simple. Though there are different options available, most tooth whitening treatments work on a similar premise. That premise is rooted in science.

Teeth may look smooth on the surface, but they are quite porous. They are primarily made from enamel, which constitutes the hardest outer layer of each tooth. Minerals make up 96% of this enamel layer, while the remaining 4% is made up of water or other organic materials. Enamel may be the hardest material in the body, but it’s not actually solid. We often think of teeth as being like bones, though our teeth are richer in minerals than bones. Bones contain collagen, which makes them more flexible. This also explains why our bones can fuse back into place, although teeth cannot.

Tiny microscopic pores exist in our teeth; just as they do in our skin. These invisible pores are where staining compounds can set in, which is why our teeth pick up stains over time. Almost like how our skin can pick up blackheads, teeth can accumulate staining compounds over time.

Teeth whitening works to reverse the staining with bleaching agents that chemically react with the build-up of compounds that cause discolouration. The same structures that allow staining to occur in the first place means whitening agents can penetrate those tiny pores in teeth, brightening the overall look of your smile.

READ MORE: How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Why Some Whitened Teeth Look Fake

Some whitened teeth do look fake. This can happen for a number of reasons.

Often, people looking for teeth whitening will opt for the brightest possible shade. This can look quite jarring, especially if your teeth don’t match your skin tone. Teeth are naturally an off-white shade, yet many of us expect them to be pearly white.

At Ringway Dental, we do our best to ensure our clients always receive the most natural looking smile transformations possible. We work closely with our patients to help them achieve their individual smile goals. As experienced cosmetic dentists, we would never set out to offer a set of fake looking teeth within one of our tooth whitening appointments.

Achieving a Naturally White Smile

We know how jarring a vividly and mis-matched bright white smile can look, especially if this wasn’t what you had in mind. A good cosmetic dentist will know exactly how to approach your request for a naturally white smile. There are a few ways they do this:

Shade matching: An experienced dentist will know to correctly shade-match your teeth for a subtle yet impactful boost to your smile. They will also be well versed in understanding skin tones and the tooth shades that will match without looking unusual.

Mimicking natural tooth textures: Cosmetic dentists also recognise that teeth are not without their imperfections. Whitening to the extent that teeth look entirely bleached just doesn’t look natural. Even when applying additive dental work such as veneers or composite bonding, they know to match the shaping of the materials to the natural contours of your teeth – so you’re not left with overly-smooth surfaces.

Gradual whitening process: Opting for a more gradual whitening process spread over a number of treatments can help ensure your teeth don’t look too white to start with. Your dentist will be able to advise on the best way they can offer you this with in-surgery treatments. At Ringway Dental, we offer a range of at-home or mixed types of tooth whitening treatments. For a more natural look and to avoid the potential for user error, we would recommend choosing the in-surgery option for greater control over how natural your final results will look.

Combining treatments: Whitening won’t be a fix-all solution for many patients. Sometimes, combining a range of solutions to help improve the appearance of your smile can be better and may even look more natural with expert application.

Maintaining Natural White Teeth

Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine and scheduling regular cleaning and polishing appointments with your dentist will help keep up the appearance of natural white teeth.

Tooth whitening treatments are not permanent, but you can have intermittent touch-up appointments that help keep your teeth looking brighter for longer. Scheduling one of these appointments with your dentist before you leave the surgery following teeth whitening can help ensure you keep on top of the whitening process.

Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water can work wonders in reducing the build up of plaque and acid on the teeth. It’s these concerns that can lead to erosion, causing unsightly stains that build with time. Plenty of water helps with healthy levels of saliva production, which further washes these unwanted fluids or bacteria from the mouth.

Your dentist may also be able to recommend some tooth whitening maintenance products for you to use in between appointments. Ask them if they have any specific advice or tips when you visit.

Natural White Teeth in Manchester by Ringway Dental

Thinking about getting your teeth whitened in Manchester? At Ringway Dental, our experienced cosmetic dental experts have been providing clients with natural-looking whiter smiles for years.

If you would like to book an appointment, get in touch with our team on 0161 437 2029. We can’t wait to brighten your day – and your smile!

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