Many people thinking about getting dental implants have concerns about the appearance of prosthetic teeth. Knowing whether or not dental implants look natural and how you can keep them looking just like your other teeth will help you decide whether or not dental implants are for you.

Do dental implants look natural?

Dental implants are designed to look and feel just like your natural teeth. The color, size and profile of your natural teeth are all taken into consideration when the dental implant is being created. Dental implants are created from a mold made of your natural teeth, and are colored to match the shade of the other teeth in the mouth.

Will the dental implant yellow or stain just like natural teeth?

Dental implants are made of porcelain, which does not stain in the same way as natural teeth. Porcelain only stains when the protective glaze over the top of the tooth scratches off revealing the porous substance beneath. When this happens, the tooth may absorb stains from dark colored and acidic foods and drinks, like beets, wine and coffee.

How can you stop the dental implant from becoming scratched?

You can stop the tooth from becoming scratched by properly cleaning the tooth regularly with the appropriate tools. Abrasive toothpastes and hard bristled toothbrushes can cause the glaze to become scratched. To protect your dental implant, use an implant toothbrush and toothpaste to clean that tooth.

Won't the dental implant start to look different if the teeth around the implant become naturally more stained over time?

It's true that your teeth may yellow a little bit as years pass. Over time, your dental implant could start to look slightly whiter than the other teeth around it. You can slow this process by doing the following:

• Limit your intake of staining foods and beverages. Coffee, tea, red wine and berries will all change the color of your natural teeth.
• Brush your teeth after every meal. This will help limit the amount of color that your natural teeth absorb from the food and beverages you consume.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis will help stop your teeth from becoming stained and will keep your teeth looking beautiful.

For more information about dental implants and how they look compared to natural teeth, speak with your dentist. He or she can show you examples of dental implants and answer any questions you may have about prosthetic teeth. Contact a company like Oral Surgery Associates Inc to learn more.