No, the implant itself can't decay. The titanium post and the crown on top aren't made of natural tooth material, so they can't get cavities the way your own teeth do. That doesn't mean they look after themselves, though. The gum and bone around an implant can still become infected if plaque builds up, and any natural teeth you still have can decay as normal. So thorough daily cleaning matters just as much with implants as it does with your own teeth.

The main things to watch for are bleeding when you brush around the implant, gums that look red, swollen or tender, a bad taste, or any discomfort or looseness that wasn't there before. Healthy implants shouldn't bleed or feel sore day to day. If you notice any of these, it's worth getting in touch sooner rather than later, because problems around implants are far easier to sort out when they're caught early. Don't wait for your next routine visit if something doesn't feel right.

It can, and how straightforward it is depends on how early it's caught. In its early stage, when only the gum around the implant is inflamed and the bone is still intact, it can usually be reversed with a professional clean and improvements to your home care. If it's left and starts to affect the bone supporting the implant, it becomes harder to treat and may need more involved care. This is exactly why we recommend regular check-ups, so we can spot any early signs and deal with them before they progress.

Yes. The ordinary metal instruments used on natural teeth can scratch the surface of an implant, and those tiny scratches give bacteria somewhere to hide. So your hygienist uses implant-safe tools, such as plastic or titanium-tipped instruments and gentle air-polishing, to clean around implants without damaging them. It's also why we suggest avoiding harsh whitening or heavily abrasive toothpastes at home, since these can wear the surface of the crown over time.

Implant crowns are made from materials like porcelain or zirconia, which have a smooth, non-porous surface, so they actually resist staining better than natural teeth. What they won't do is respond to whitening, because whitening only works on natural tooth material. A dull or discoloured crown is usually just surface film that a professional clean and polish will lift. One thing to keep in mind over the years: your natural teeth can gradually darken with age while the crown stays the same shade, so occasionally a crown is replaced to keep everything matching.