Dental implants are a popular modern solution for replacing missing teeth. Compared to other dental restorations, they offer multiple advantages. Implants have earned a reputation for looking natural in the mouth and providing cosmetic benefits, but do they feel natural as well? In this article, we answer this question and discuss the various advantages of dental implants.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
Dental implants replace missing or decaying teeth. They utilize a metal post surgically inserted directly into the jaw bone. With time, the post fuses with the bone and becomes a new “root” for the dental crown placed on top of the implant. Thus, the structure of dental implants is very similar to that of natural teeth.
However, being entirely artificial teeth, dental implants do not have nerves that can feel pain, pressure, hot, cold, or any other sensations. In this way, dental implants do not feel exactly like natural teeth. Nevertheless, implants are the most sophisticated type of dental restoration today, and they perform and look very similar to your natural teeth. The way dental implants function is what makes them resemble natural teeth. The shade of dental implants can also be closely matched to that of the rest of your teeth, making them indistinguishable in the mouth.
When an implant first gets installed, you might notice the difference in how it feels in the mouth compared to the rest of your teeth. However, once you get used to your implant, it should feel more natural, and you will most likely not notice the difference in day-to-day life.
Does Full Mouth of Dental Implants Feel Natural?
Some people replace all of their teeth with dental implants. In such cases, a dentist inserts only a few implants, which support the rest of the prosthetic teeth. Patients report that a full mouth of dental implants does not feel like natural teeth.
This said implants provide comfort similar to that of natural teeth. People who get implant-supported dentures instead of traditional dentures will feel a significant improvement in their comfort and quality of daily life. Dental implants can provide up to 90% of natural bite force, allowing patients to choose from a variety of foods and improve nutrition. In comparison, dentures provide only around 20% of natural bite force and tend to slip or move in the mouth when you chew harder foods. This limits the available diet and can cause pain and soreness in the mouth.
Advantages of Dental Implants
In addition to looking and performing very similar to your natural teeth, dental implants have several other advantages:
- Dental implants help prevent bone resorption—loss of jaw bone density that leads to insufficient support for natural teeth and changes in facial structure. When tooth loss occurs, no more root stimulates the jaw bone and makes the body preserve its structure. Thus, the body stops supplying the bone with nutrients, resulting in the bone “shrinking.” A dentist will insert dental implants directly into the bone so they fuse with it over time, providing the necessary stimulation instead of the natural tooth roots. Dental bridges or dentures can not provide this benefit since they rest on top of the gum or natural teeth.
- Such dental restorations as dental bridges can utilize surrounding healthy teeth for support. Thus, the supporting teeth can become damaged or worn out over time. On the other hand, a metal post inserted into the jawbone supports the dental implant’s crown and does not damage the surrounding teeth.
- When a tooth falls out, the surrounding teeth can start moving into the gap, changing the appearance of the smile. A dental implant occupies the gap similarly to the lost tooth, thus preventing the rest of the teeth from moving and preserving the appearance of the smile.
- Dental implants tend to last longer than other types of dental restorations. The crown that rests on the implant might need replacement every 7 to 10 years, but the implant itself can last you a lifetime. Therefore, this dental restoration can be cost-effective and save you time in the long run.
Make an Appointment Today
If you are considering dental implants, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a leading periodontist today. We work to improve the quality of life and comfort of our patients by providing high-quality and reliable dental implants. We look forward to your visit to our dental office.
