One of the struggles many people have with their natural teeth is that with things like medications, diet, enamel erosion, and lifestyle habits like smoking, they can become stained over time. This is because teeth are porous, and those tiny orifices can sometimes trap staining matter, changing their color in the process. Enamel can also eventually wear down due to the foods you eat or bad habits like grinding. But what about your new dental implants? Can they become stained like your real teeth? Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your smile white and bright with these durable, beautiful prosthetics!
Can You Stain Dental Implants?
One of the first questions many patients ask is if they can stain their dental implants. It’s an important question. After all, you’re making an important investment in your smile. Naturally, you’ll want to keep it looking healthy and beautiful for as long as you can. The good news is that with dental implants, you don’t need to worry about stains in the same way you would with your real teeth. But there are still a few important things you need to be aware of.
Unlike your natural teeth, dental implants are not porous and cannot hold on to stains in the same manner. However, they still can become stained if the glaze on your crown becomes compromised. While this is made specifically to resist stains and discoloration, if you do not brush and floss regularly or if you smoke, you can still be vulnerable to it. In fact, once you damage the glaze, you’ll likely need to replace the entire crown.
Can I Whiten My Dental Implants?
With real teeth, treatments like professional whitening from your dentist can help remove up to eight shades of discoloration in one treatment. However, because dental implant crowns do not have the same pores as your teeth do, this type of procedure will not work on them. In fact, neither will products like whitening strips, gels, or toothpastes. These products could even damage their glaze!
Thus, the only way to keep them looking as good as new is to avoid any dark, staining foods, brush and floss regularly, and never smoke.
Can I Whiten My Natural Teeth if I Have Dental Implants?
If you have dental implants, you still can professionally whiten any natural teeth; however, be aware that your prosthetics will remain the same shade, which could make them stand out. If this occurs, speak to your dentist about having a new crown made that better matches the rest of your newly whitened smile, or consider professional whitening before getting your implants made so your teeth are already an ideal, matching shade from day one!
Remember, while you cannot whiten your dental implants, you can still stain or discolor them if you damage their glaze. Thus, be sure to avoid dangerous habits like smoking, bleaching, or not properly brushing and flossing. Furthermore, don’t skip your regular, biannual exam and cleaning with your dentist. Even if you have a full mouth of dental implants, these appointments are essential steps in keeping your gums healthy, and your teeth clean and strong, whether they’re natural or prosthetic.
About Our Practice
At Hamilton Lakes Dentistry, our trio of skilled dentists is proud to provide our patients with a variety of solutions to restore their healthy, beautiful smiles! If you’re missing one or more teeth and searching for a durable, functional, natural-looking replacement, it’s time to consider dental implants.
Don’t let gaps in your arches keep you from enjoying a full diet and a confident, gorgeous grin! Schedule a consultation for dental implants today by calling us at 630-394-5567, or by visiting our website.