The question most dentists get when discussing dental implants is, “Do they really feel like your natural teeth?” Implants are made with small titanium posts, a connector, and a crown. It seems impossible for those to fit and feel natural in your mouth. Let’s find out.
What Are Dental Implants?
If you have damaged or missing teeth, dental implant surgery can be used to replace tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts, and prosthetic teeth.
To have implant surgery, your jawbone must be fully developed and stable. Sometimes it’s necessary to have a bone graft if your jawbone cannot hold the implant. Once your jaw is stabilized, the implant is added.
It takes time for the bone to heal and grow around the implant so it can fuse together. When healing is complete, an abutment (the connector) is added and a natural-looking porcelain prosthetic tooth is placed over the top.
If done properly, the entire process can take a few months from start to finish.
Do Implants Hurt?
Because implants are made of metal and porcelain, they will never decay. You also won’t feel any sensation at the “roots” such as hot or cold because an implant doesn’t have nerves.
Although implant surgery requires either local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or sedation, the effects aren’t long-lasting. You may experience swelling of your gums or face, pain at the implant site, or minor bleeding immediately after surgery.
Do They Feel Natural?
Yes, dental implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. For implants to look natural, a dental specialist like Dr. Foote essentially creates a clone of your missing tooth.
He replicates the size and shape of your tooth and carefully matches the color. The goal is to make sure your implant cannot be distinguished from the rest of your teeth.
If you’re struggling with cracked, chipped, or missing teeth, contact Dr. Bryan Foote.
Because implants require a surgical procedure, you’ll want to have a thorough dental exam beforehand. Dr. Foote will evaluate the health of your gums, jaw, and surrounding teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Together, you can discuss the process, the cost, and any concerns you might have. Don’t wait any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Foote today.