No one likes having a smile that appears stained or tarnished. So if you’ve just restored your grin with dental implants, you might be wondering whether the inorganic materials get discolored at all – and if they do, how do you keep them white and bright?
Your questions deserve answers, and rest assured, your implant dentist will be able to address every single one!
Do Dental Implants Stain Like Natural Teeth?
Not exactly. Natural teeth become stained when strong color pigments from food and beverages slip past the pours in surface enamel. The pigments essentially become trapped, “settling in” to the discoloration you would see in the mirror.
Dental implant restorations are made from stain-resistant materials like porcelain. Since these materials have much tighter pours than your natural enamel, it’s a lot harder for pigments to get trapped beneath the surface. That said, dental implants aren’t stain-proof. They’ll experience staining; it’ll just take longer for the materials to appear tarnished.
Can I Whiten Discolored Dental Implants?
No – but there are other ways to restore their bright hue. You see, the chemicals used in teeth whitening agents are specifically formulated to get past the pours in dental enamel, enabling them to attack and eliminate stains directly. Because porcelain pours are smaller, the agents aren’t as effective on stain-resistant dental implants.
Fortunately, your implant dentist may be able to polish your implants so that they look good as new. Or, in cases of severe staining, they can replace the restoration entirely.
How Can I Keep My Dental Implants Whiter for Longer?
Even though dental implants are structurally very different from your natural pearly whites, you can preserve their shiny cosmetics in a similar way. For example:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily will help prevent pigments from “settling in.”
- Flossing once per day removes icky gunk from between your teeth.
- Avoid tobacco products, as the chemicals create strong stains.
- Limit the darkly colored foods and drinks you eat. If it can stain your carpet, it can discolor your smile!
- Don’t use abrasive toothpastes – they’ll make your implants more prone to discoloration by wearing down the surface.
- Do use a soft-bristled toothbrush – hard bristles can also wear down your implants.
It’s perfectly understandable to have so many questions about dental implant discoloration. Having a smile you feel confident with is important, and your implant dentist would be more than happy to help you maintain a grin you’ll love!
About the Practice
Dr. Danny Hayes and Dr. Allison Lent are your top-notch dentists here in Chesterton. As a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Dr. Hayes is particularly well-qualified to answer any questions you may have about dental implants. If you’d like to learn more about the best way to keep your restorations white and bright, contact our office at 219-926-7595.