If you’ve lost one or more teeth, part of the reason you’d like to have them replaced is probably to restore the fullness of your smile. Dental aesthetics are important, after all!
With that said, you might be wondering whether you need to worry about your dental implants staining like natural teeth might. It takes a lot to turn a dental implant yellow, but it is possible. Keep reading to learn how you can keep them bright and shiny!
How Dental Implants Stain
Generally speaking, dental implants are nonporous, making them incredibly stain resistant. However, resisting discoloration isn’t the same as being immune to it. The glaze that seals the ceramic or porcelain material can become compromised over time, making it easier for strong pigments to settle into your dental implants and create stains.
Prolonging Your Implants’ Pearly Aesthetics
If you want the pearly look of your implants to last as long as possible, there are a few things you can do to help maintain them. Here are some dentist-recommended tips:
- Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine to flush out staining pigments and bacteria.
- Limit your consumption of foods and drinks with strong, lasting colors, such as coffee, curry, and tomato-based meals.
- Try to avoid tobacco products, as the chemicals can quickly erode your implants’ glaze.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water after your meals – this will help keep your teeth clean and make it more difficult for stains to settle.
For more advice, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist!
Maintaining a Seamless Smile
The stain-resistant nature of dental implants is a definite benefit, but it does mean that your natural teeth could yellow at a faster rate, creating an inconsistent look. You could receive a teeth whitening treatment to restore brightness to your natural pearly whites – however, this creates another conflict, which is that dental implants don’t respond to whitening very well! So what can do you to maintain a seamless smile?
In this situation, it’s best to go ahead and whiten your natural teeth. If their new shade doesn’t quite match that of your implants, your dentist may be able to polish the prosthetic, or replace the crown entirely.
At the end of the day, it is possible for dental implants to become stained. But you can rely on your dentist to help make your smile look good as new!
About the Practice
At Chelmsford Dental Specialist Group, we have three skilled dentists on staff, including our resident dental restoration expert and board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Mario Gatti. Dr. Gatti has over 15 years of experience, so if you have questions or concerns about your dental implants’ appearance, he’s more than qualified to provide assistance! To contact our office, call 978-250-0079.
