For many people, it’s easy to take their teeth for granted. But if you’re one of the 178 million Americans who have lost a tooth (or multiple teeth), you quickly realize how it impacts your life! Feeling less self-confident, struggling to eat your favorite foods or being embarrassed when you smile are all common side effects of tooth loss. Fortunately, today we have more replacement options than ever, including dental implants in Wheaton. But one of the first questions people often ask is, “What do dental implants feel like?” Keep reading to find out how implants work and how they feel. You’ll also learn about the many ways they improve your overall oral health!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Implants are unique compared to other replacement options because they replace the entire tooth structure (the root and crown), as opposed to traditional bridges and dentures that only replace the crown.
The first step of the procedure is placing a titanium post (which is the implant itself) into the jaw. This in-office surgery takes 1 to 2 hours per implant. Then the implant is given 3 to 6 months to fuse with the surrounding jawbone. During this time a “healing cap” is placed over the implant so you can eat and drink normally. Depending on the situation, you may even have a temporary prosthetic tooth (or teeth) so you can smile with confidence as well.
Then you’ll return for the final step to have the implant permanently restored with either a single dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you’re replacing. These prosthetic teeth are matched in size, shape, and color to your other teeth to look very natural.
What Will Your Dental Implant Feel Like?
An implant essentially acts just like the root of natural tooth. Just as you don’t get any sensation from the roots of your teeth, you won’t feel an implant at all. In fact, dental implants feel so natural that you may forget you ever lost a tooth!
With that said, there may be an adjustment period in the beginning before your implant feels “normal,” just as there is with any type of new dental work.
Additional Benefits of Dental Implants
In addition to feeling natural, dental implants provide many other benefits as well:
- They have a long-term success rate of over 95% (in non-smokers).
- They provide unmatched chewing strength and stability so you can eat hard or crunchy foods with ease.
- Since implants mimic natural teeth, they prevent bone loss in your jaws and help you maintain a youthful appearance over time.
- Implants can last 30 years or more with basic care and maintenance.
- Implants allow you to eat, speak and smile with confidence.
Simply put, if you want to restore your smile after tooth loss, nothing will feel more natural than dental implants. And with the many additional benefits mentioned above, you can see why they’re the most popular replacement option available!
About the Author
Dr. Kathy Lam is a general, cosmetic, and restorative dentist in Wheaton who is passionate about helping people achieve great oral health after tooth loss. She often recommends dental implants because they provide final results that look and feel very natural. If you’d like to know more about what to expect from dental implants or have any questions, she can be reached via her website.