One of the concerns patients often have about implant restorations is if they will have the same feel and appearance as natural teeth. Dental implants are created to feel like a real tooth. A single tooth implant supports a dental crown, which blends in with the rest of the teeth.
What are dental implants?
To fully understand how implants feel and look, it is important to understand what a dental implant is. If a patient has lost a tooth, either due to infection or trauma, the implant replaces the tooth root. The implant is a titanium metal screw inserted into the jawbone. The titanium is biocompatible, which means it can integrate with the bone and serve as a stable foundation for the incoming restoration. An implant restoration is essentially an implant and a prosthetic tooth, such as a dental crown, bridge or denture, depending on the number of teeth that need replacement.
How natural do implant restorations feel?
Since the dental implant is replacing a lost tooth root, the patient will not feel the implant itself because it sits inside the jawbone. Any sensation they might feel comes from the gum tissue surrounding the implant. This means that the implant will not feel exactly like a natural tooth. The natural tooth root is made up of nerve tissues that feel sensations such as cold, heat and pressure. The implant cannot feel these sensations because it is not living material with nerves. A person who has lost their natural teeth will need to rely on the nerves in the gum tissues to get any sensation.
That said, implant restorations look and function like natural teeth. The dentist can design the restoration to blend in with existing teeth, allowing patients to care for the implants like the rest of their teeth. Within a few weeks after completing the dental implant procedure, it will be hard to tell the difference. Although it may not get sensations, the restoration will feel like a regular tooth.
Additional benefits of dental implant restorations
Dental implants remain the closest match to natural teeth. The dental crown placed over the implant is fabricated from high-quality material that is customizable to the features of natural teeth. The crown will also have the reflective ability of natural teeth.
Dental implants encourage bone preservation and growth. Since the dental implant acts as the natural tooth root, it provides the stimulation required to keep the bone supporting the dental restoration alive. Lost tooth roots cause bone resorption and gum recession over time.
With the stability provided by dental implants, patients can chew, talk and smile confidently without fearing that their restoration will come loose. Therefore, many patients who have lost all their teeth and have to get dentures will have something less to worry about.
Final note
Getting dental implant restorations is a major decision, and patients need to understand what is involved so they can set realistic expectations. Once a dental crown goes over the implant, you will once again have the function and beauty of your smile. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the dental office for a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
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