Can My Dental Implants Become Stained?

Dental implants in Rome are considered the premier option for replacing missing teeth—these incredible implants are able to restore lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality. And if you’ve just received implants to address your missing pearly whites, you’re probably in love with your new smile! However, you might also be wondering if your new implants can become stained just like your natural teeth. Unfortunately, they can if you aren’t careful! Keep reading to learn more about how dental implants can become stained along with some tips for preserving their sheen.

How Your Dental Implants Can Become Stained

There are two main parts to your dental implants—the lower portion that fuses with your jawbone is often made of a biocompatible material such as titanium. The upper portion that’s visible and resembles your natural teeth is made from a special ceramic material that is incredibly resistant to staining. That said, if you maintain the surface glaze of your implants, they shouldn’t become discolored.

However, it can still happen! If you attempt to polish your implants with abrasive materials or treat them with acidic fluoride treatments, their surface will roughen which can compromise their color. It’s also not uncommon for patients to experience staining around the edges of their implants, especially if they’ve been repeatedly exposing them to foods and drinks with staining agents.

Tips for Preventing Additional Staining

There are several things you can do to preserve the beauty of your smile and keep your implants from becoming stained. Consider the following:

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco – Tobacco products are notorious for causing all sorts of health problems, including several that affect your teeth! Smoking won’t just stain your implants—it can also result in implant failure as your body might have difficulty healing and incorporating them.
• Avoid toothpaste that’s highly abrasive – Some toothpastes are abrasive and can actually damage your implants. Ask your dentist about nonabrasive toothpastes and gels.
• Avoid foods and drinks with staining agents – Some items like coffee, tea, berries, and more contain tannins, which can stain your implants if they’re repeatedly exposed to them.
• Maintain good oral hygiene – This is arguably the best thing you can do to keep your implants bright and white! Brush and floss after every meal but wait at least half an hour to do so. This will help remove lingering particles and acids that could potentially damage or discolor your implants.
• Visit your dentist regularly – Visiting your dentist for biannual checkups is also a great way to ensure that your implants remain intact and sparkling-white.

Your dental implants might be tougher than your natural teeth, but they can still become stained if you aren’t diligent! Following these tips will ensure that keep your smile looking great.

About the Practice

The team at Weldon Dental of Rome is honored to serve the dental needs of the Rome, GA area under the leadership of Dr. Ryan Weldon. Dr. Weldon received his dental doctorate from the Medical College of Georgia and is a proud member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His practice is pleased to offer many available services including dental implants! If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact Dr. Weldon through his practice’s website or by phone: (706) 232-2082.