Why Has Your Implant Tooth Changed Colour?
Dental implants don't usually give you any problems once they've bedded in; you'll generally not notice any difference between your implant tooth and your other teeth. Sometimes, however, you may look in the mirror one day and notice that your implant seems to have changed colour. It stands out more than it used to and looks less natural.
What's wrong with the tooth, and what can you do about it?
Where's the Colour Change?
Although your implant tooth may look like it's changed colour because it's more noticeable than before, the tooth may actually not have changed at all. This kind of change isn't usually down to the false tooth but to changes in the teeth that sit around it.
Dental implants are made from very robust ceramics which don't tend to discolour over time. However, your natural teeth may change colour, becoming stained or a little more yellow. If you've had your implant in for a few years now, then the surrounding teeth may have turned a different shade than they were when the implant was fitted.
It is this colour change that makes the implant tooth stand out and look a different shade. It actually hasn't changed colour at all.
How to Deal With Colour Changes
If you see a change in your teeth, then chances are other people will notice it too. So, you may want to even things out again. There are various ways to do this, including:
- Having your teeth cleaned and polished by your dentist or hygienist. If natural teeth around the implant are stained, then this might clean them up and make them look more like they did in the first place.
- Having the adjacent teeth whitened by your dentist. Teeth whitening doesn't affect implant teeth; however, it may make neighbouring teeth look white enough to blend in with the implant more.
- Having a new implant tooth made that is a better match to the new colour of your natural teeth.
If you're worried that your implant tooth is standing out too much, talk to your dentist. While each of these solutions can balance the overall colour of your teeth, they don't all have the same effects. The best option for you depends on why some of your teeth have changed colour and how radical the change is. After looking at the teeth around your implant, your dentist can assess the best way to move forward.
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