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Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?

Today, dental implants are deservedly considered to be the most sophisticated way of restoring missing teeth. They look great in the mouth and provide incredible comfort compared to other methods of dental restorations. But do dental implants feel natural? In this article, we discuss what you might expect to feel if you have one, several, or a full mouth of dental implants. 

 

Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?

To better understand how dental implants will feel and function in the mouth, it is helpful to know how they look and work. A dental implant consists of a metal post (also called a screw) that is placed into the jaw bone during a surgical procedure. In a couple of months after the procedure, the implanted post fuses with the bone. Thus, it begins to act in a similar way to the roots of your natural teeth. Once the post is secure in the jawbone, your dentist will attach a dental crown to it. As a result, you get an artificial tooth that looks and functions like a natural one. 

However, the main difference between a prosthetic tooth and a natural one is that the former does not have nerves. This means that it will not feel pressure, pain, or changes in temperature in the same way a natural tooth does. Also, a dental implant can not cause cavities or decay. If you have one or a couple of dental implants in your mouth, you will not feel much difference in your day-to-day life, especially once you adjust to the feeling of the dental implant in the mouth.   

When it comes to the appearance of dental implants, they are indistinguishable from your natural teeth, as the shade and color of a dental crown can be closely matched to the rest of your teeth. 

 

How Does a Full Mouth of Dental Implants Feel?

The way dental implants feel will most likely be different when you have a full mouth of dental implants. Typically,  when you need to replace all of your teeth with implants, only several metal posts are placed in the mouth. For example, you can opt for the all-on-four option, meaning that your dentist will only install four metal posts in total. These several posts will support “bridges” of dental crowns. 

The look of the full mouth of dental implants is similar to that of natural teeth, and other people will most likely not notice any difference. However, since all the teeth are artificial, you will not feel the same way as when you have natural teeth. As we mentioned before, artificial teeth, which do not have nerves, can not respond to external factors in the same way natural teeth do.

Still, a full mouth of dental implants will feel much more comfortable than traditional dentures. The reason for this is that the implants are stable and secure in the mouth and do not move, rub, or slip like dentures might. Also, dental implants provide up to 90 percent of the natural bite force, while dentures can guarantee only up to 20%. As a result, with the full mouth of dental implants, you will be able to enjoy a much wider variety of foods with confidence and comfort.

 

Other Reasons to Choose Dental Implants

In addition to such advantages as looking natural, having a reliable performance, and providing comfort in daily use, dental implants have several other pros:

  • Dental implants can last you a lifetime, with only the crown needing a replacement every 7 to 10 years.
  • Dental implants stimulate the jawbone in a similar way to the roots of your natural teeth. Thus, they prevent the process called bone resorption—the shrinking of the bone due to tooth loss. Preventing bone resorption, dental implants also prevent changes in the structure of your face in the jaw area.
  • Dental implants do not use healthy surrounding teeth for support, thus not causing any damage to them. Other types of dental restorations, such as dental bridges, do rely on the surrounding teeth for support and might cause the teeth to wear out out over time.
  • Dental implants occupy the gap where your natural tooth used to be, thus preventing the remaining teeth from moving into this space, changing the way your smile looks. 

 

Get Dental Implants at Smiles of Arcadia

Improve the comfort and quality of your daily life by getting dental implants at the Smiles of Arcadia dental office. Do not hesitate to call us today and make an appointment with an experienced dentist who will assess your case and offer you a plan of treatment best suited to your goals and considerations.

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Top Reasons Dental Implants Need to Be Removed

A good set of teeth is very important not just for functional purposes but also for aesthetic purposes. A missing tooth, especially when it’s in front, can damage a person’s self-confidence. However, the narrative of people with missing teeth changed when dental implants were introduced. Implants provide a long-lasting solution that restores functionality and aesthetics for many patients. And there’s no risk of them falling off while you’re talking, unlike with dentures. The problem is there are instances when they would need to be removed. In this post, we’ll explore the top reasons why dental implants need to be removed.

Top Reasons Dental Implants Need to Be Removed

Poor Implant Placement

To have a higher success rate, the skill and precision of your surgeon are of utmost importance. Bite misalignment, discomfort, loose implants, and unpleasant aesthetics can occur when implants are improperly placed.

If you’re thinking of having dental implants, your top considerations should be your surgeon’s expertise and experience. Call or visit a reputable dental office to learn more about dental implants and how you can have a higher success rate with them.

Peri-implantitis

Sometimes, infection can develop at the implant site, causing inflammation and swelling around the area. If this is not addressed promptly and the infection progresses, it can lead to bone loss and implant failure. In some advanced cases, implants may need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading to the surrounding tissues.

Nerve Damage

When the implant is placed too close to or directly over a nerve, it can cause an extremely painful situation that requires emergency attention. In this case, your surgeon should remove the implant.  

Sinus Problem

This usually happens when the implant was placed in the upper jaw. This may cause a sinus problem which would eventually lead to the removal of the implant.  

Loose Crowns

When a dental crown becomes loose for some reason, it can result in the exposure of the dental implant underneath the crown. This can lead to implant failure and may result in the removal of the implant.

Natural Rejection

The human body has a mind of its own. When it comes to foreign bodies, it can decide that the foreign body is harmful and, therefore, needs to be removed. This is when rejection happens.

When your body rejects the implant, you may experience pain and inflammation. Sometimes, the site would simply refuse to heal, and the only solution would be for your surgeon to remove the implant.

Medications and Treatments

Some treatment procedures and medications can affect the mouth. They can cause your bones to weaken or cause dry mouth. This increases the risk of the implant loosening, which will lead to implant failure.

If you are set to undergo treatments or take medications, it is essential to inform your surgeon before you even have the implant.

Illnesses

There are illnesses that can impact the strength of your bones. Osteoporosis and diabetes, for example, are two illnesses that can affect your bones’ ability to support your implants. If they lose this ability, you run the risk of them falling out. Your surgeon may choose to remove the implants even before they do.

Broken Implant Fixture

Although they are designed to be durable and withstand the test of time and the friction caused by chewing, they may still be broken due to trauma or accidents. In such cases, it is imperative that the affected implant be removed to prevent further damage or complications.

Although the reasons for dental implant removal may turn you off and scare you away, it is wise to remember that the functional and aesthetic advantages of having dental implants far outweigh the disadvantages of having them. In general, a lot of dental implant patients experience no problem for many years. Some implants can even last a lifetime.

If you are still worried, it is worth noting that there are things you can do and precautions you can take to ensure that your implants will be able to serve you long and well.  

  • ✓ Good oral hygiene before the surgery
  • ✓ Good oral hygiene after the surgery and throughout the healing period
  • ✓ Regular follow-up visits to your surgeon
  • ✓ Regular cleaning

Remember, if you will take care of your dental implants just like you would your natural teeth, you will be able to increase the lifespan of your implants.

If you think a dental implant is an option worth exploring, check out dental implants in Arcadia today.