The short two-word answer: It depends.
Your Fayetteville dentist may recommend waiting a few months after Invisalign® treatment to whiten your teeth professionally. Other times, we’ll give the green light with caveats. For example, perhaps you can use your whitening trays for a reduced period so as not to cut into your time wearing Invisalign or suggest in-office teeth whitening only.
With braces, you can’t whiten enamel beneath brackets. So, you’ll end up with brown squares on your teeth after treatment, meaning you’ll need additional teeth whitening to even out the hue.
Whitening Teeth During Orthodontics: What to Consider
You must wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours daily for predictable results. When you remove your aligners during meals and to clean your teeth, the time adds up. When you wear custom teeth whitening trays, you can’t wear your Invisalign aligners, only adding to your time out of treatment.
As mentioned, professional teeth whitening can’t brighten the portion of teeth hidden under brackets, which will mean a secondary whitening treatment after orthodontics.
Of course, none of this means you can’t use a whitening toothpaste during orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will devise a unique workaround that allows for professional teeth whitening during orthodontics.
Check with your Fayetteville dentist before starting any treatment, even over-the-counter whitening toothpaste. Some treatments are simply too harsh for your teeth and gums.
About Invisalign® in Fayetteville, AR
Invisalign is a unique orthodontic system relying on custom, clear aligners to move teeth into desirable positions. It can be used alone or as part of a full smile reconstruction, including veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, and more!
Choose Invisalign and Love Your Smile
To learn more about Invisalign in Fayetteville, AR, or to schedule your consultation with our Invisalign dentist, contact a team member at Northwest Arkansas Family Dental today at (479) 521-2002.