Are you a candidate for dental restoration? It’s important to remember that there’s no way to whiten a dental implant. Talk to your Houston dentist about your situation to learn more about your options.
As you consider your options to restore your teeth, it’s important to remember that teeth whitening does not impact these options. From crowns to veneers, your dentist sets the shade of the material to match your teeth. When you want a whiter smile, it’s important to whiten your teeth before a dental procedure.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Today, dental implants are fairly mainstream. As the technology improves, the process becomes more and more accessible. Moreover, the procedure itself is easier to perform, allowing more dentists to provide implants.
A dental implant is a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. Your dentist inserts a screw into your jaw where you have a missing tooth. From there, it fuses with the bone mass to prevent loss. Additionally, this means you never have to worry about removing the implant.
Next, your dentist attaches a crown to the post. This crown matches the rest of your teeth. However, the color changes over time if you do not maintain it properly.
Discoloration and Porcelain Dental Prosthetics
The tendency of porcelain to retain its color is a blessing and a curse for many patients. Unfortunately, when your natural teeth change color, there’s a visible contrast with your prosthetics. This makes it all too clear which parts of your smile are implants.
In some cases, dentists mismatch the shade of crowns or veneers. For others, improper hygiene leads to stained teeth.
Alternatively, some patients try to whiten dental implants along with the rest of their teeth. Unfortunately, this leaves the implant looking stained in comparison.
How to Whiten Dental Implants: Maintenance
While you can’t whiten dental implants with a teeth whitening procedure, you can prevent discoloration where the implant stands out. If you know you need implants, it’s possible to whiten your teeth beforehand. When your smile is the shade you want, your dentist matches the crown to the rest of your teeth.
While the crown does not change color, your teeth do. When your teeth lose their whiteness, the crown stands out. This is because it stays whiter than the rest of your teeth. With proper hygiene and maintenance, you keep your teeth bright. Here are a few tips to follow.
- Avoid drinking too much coffee, tea, red wine, and other dark liquids
- Brush and floss regularly
- Visit your dentist regularly for deep cleanings
- Talk to your dentist about whitening procedures
So long as you care for your teeth, you can ensure your dental implant matches the rest of your smile.
Do Dental Implants Change Color?
Typically, cosmetic crowns use ceramic porcelain that resists staining. Generally speaking, this means that dental implants are not prone to discoloration. However, you also have to maintain the glaze on the surface of the crown.
When you use abrasive materials or acidic treatments, it wears away the surface. This increases the risk of discoloration. While you can’t whiten dental implants, you can prevent this discoloration.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an approved toothpaste.
How to Care for Dental Implants at Home
When you have a dental implant, it acts as a natural tooth. This means it requires the same care. The average dental care routine helps avoid the need to whiten dental implants in any way. Moreover, your dentist can recommend kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes to use to avoid damaging the crown.
To minimize the chances of discoloration in your smile, here are a few things to avoid.
Avoid Smoking
If you smoked before the procedure, it’s a good time to stop. The tar and nicotine in tobacco products stain teeth with a yellow or brown look. Additionally, they have the potential to cause your implant to fail. This means you have to replace the implant.
Avoid Tannins
Certain drinks and foods naturally contain tannins. From wine and tea to berries and coffee, it’s often found in darker liquids. Along with acid and chromogens, tannins corrode your teeth. This leaves behind dark stains that require professional cleaning.
Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste
Oftentimes, the most common cause of damage to dental implants is abrasive brushes and toothpaste. Even the generic toothpaste most people use has the potential to be abrasive to dental implants and crowns.
While they clean the rest of your mouth, they potentially damage the implant in a way that causes discoloration. After your procedure, talk to your dentist about non-abrasive toothpaste that gently cleans the surface of your teeth.
It’s essential to follow your dentist’s recommendations to help you maintain your smile for years to come.
Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
Foods and drinks leave acids and chemicals behind. Often, these damage and discolor your teeth. Moreover, the chemicals have the capacity to eat away at implants and veneers. Again, while it’s not possible to white dental implants, it’s important to maintain them.
If you want to brush after your meals, wait roughly 30 minutes. For those with sensitive teeth, this helps to avoid damage caused by acidic foods.
Are There Cosmetic Issues with Dental Prosthetics?
Typically, patients with dental prosthetics face minimal cosmetic issues. In some cases with porcelain veneers, patients develop small brown lines where the veneer meets the tooth.
Unfortunately, this points to a receding gum line, which exposes the adhesive. Moreover, the adhesive carries stains from exposure to tannins. When this happens, speak to your dentist to learn more about how to slow gum recession.
Avoid the Need to Whiten Dental Implants
With the help of your Houston dentist, you never need to worry about how to whiten dental implants. When you visit a dental office that offers professional, personalized service, you have a team to help you bring your dream smile to life.
To learn more about the dental implant process, teeth whitening, and how to maintain your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
