Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique placement in your jawbone. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they become a permanent part of your mouth and can function as sturdy, stand-alone structures.
Plus, they’re capped with a dental crown (or other restoration) that’s customized to look and feel like your natural teeth for seamless results. But many patients wonder whether it’s possible to accidentally stain their new tooth. Continue reading to learn more about maintaining a bright, beautiful smile with dental implants!
What Are Dental Implants Made From?
These replacement teeth typically consist of three main parts: the support rod that’s placed in your jaw, the abutment connector piece, and the tooth-shaped cap that’s visible above your gumline.
The pole in your jawbone is usually made from biocompatible titanium that’s known for being incredibly strong but lightweight, making it ideal for dental implants. The abutment is often made from the same material, and the restoration itself is made from resilient, customizable resin or ceramic.
Do Dental Implants Stain Like Enamel?
Your prosthetics aren’t made from the same organic components as your teeth, so they don’t absorb darkly pigmented particles the same way. The durable porcelain material is less porous than enamel and is often coated with a glaze durable enough to resist damage and discoloration.
However, they’re not invincible and can eventually start to look dark or dirty after repeated or prolonged exposure to tinted foods, but at a different rate than your natural teeth. You could end up with an unevenly toned grin that looks awkward or unnatural if you’re not careful about your daily habits.
How Can I Brighten My Smile with Dental Implants?
You might think you can apply teeth whitening to lighten your new tooth if it becomes stained, but unfortunately, topical bleaching won’t affect it. It’s incredibly difficult to polish away discoloration, and you’ll need your dentist’s help to re-glaze or potentially replace it if you’re displeased with its appearance.
To keep your smile looking bright and happy, try to avoid:
- Using tobacco products. Cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco contain nicotine, tar, and other harmful chemicals that not only tint your teeth, but significantly increase the likelihood of implant failure, decay, disease, and other damage.
- Eating darkly toned foods. Minimizing your consumption of culprits like tea, coffee, berries, tomatoes, and wine can prevent stains.
- Neglecting your dental hygiene routine. You should brush and floss twice daily to remove bacteria, plaque, and leftover food that give pigmented particles something to cling to.
You might also consider whitening your teeth before getting dental implants so your dentist can match your restoration to the updated shade!
About the Practice
At BridgeMill Dental Care, you benefit from a team of dentists eager to help families in Indian Land improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. Dr. Candon, Dr. Carver, and Dr. Squatrito share decades of combined experience and offer a comprehensive menu of services to meet your unique needs at one convenient location. Their caring approach is combined with state-of-the-art technology so they can perform each step of the implant process, including oral surgery, in the office. You can request an appointment on the website or call (803) 650-3925.