Do Dental Implants Look Like Natural Teeth?

16 July 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


People who are thinking about getting dental implants often have questions about how natural the implants look. Knowing whether or not implants will match your natural teeth can help you decide whether or not dental implants are right for you.

Do dental implants look like natural teeth?

Dental implants are made up of three pieces: a titanium post that sticks in the jaw (called the implant), a porcelain crown on top, and a piece in the middle called an abutment. The only visible part of the implant is the crown. Crowns are made to be shaped like the teeth that they're replacing. In fact, crowns are even color matched to look just like the other teeth in your mouth. This way, your teeth and your crown will look like they're all a part of one matching set. 

Can your dental implant ever become stained or discolored?

The porcelain crown is protected by a layer of glaze on top. The glaze is non-porous and impermeable, provided that it is intact. The only way that the porcelain could become stained is if the glaze itself become scratched or worn away. If this happened, the porous porcelain underneath the glaze could become stained by dark colored foods, foods containing high levels of tannins and acidic foods.

What can you do to prevent the glaze from being damaged?

You can prevent your dental implant's glaze from being damaged and the implant from becoming stained by doing the following:

  • Brush your dental implant with an implant-safe toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Dental implants need to be brushed by special soft-bristled toothbrushes in order to avoid becoming scratched. Using non-abrasive toothpaste is also important for protecting the glaze on top of the crown.
  • Swish with sparkling water after drinking acidic drinks and eating acidic foods. This will help get rid of the acid in your mouth. Since acid can wear away at the glaze, this will help protect your crown.
  • Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist will clean your teeth and your crown to prevent them from becoming stained. It's important to visit your dentist on a regular basis after your crowns are installed if you wish to prevent the teeth from becoming stained and mismatched. Your dentist can remove plaque and food particles on your teeth and crowns, which helps to keep both of them polished and shiny.

With the right care, your dental implant will keep looking naturally good for years to come. For more information on dental implants, check with companies like Riverdale Dental Arts.


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