If you’re tired of wearing your dentures, you may be thinking it’s time to upgrade to dental implants. They’re the most permanent method of tooth replacement, allowing patients to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence once again. But before you make the switch, you’re probably wondering how they will feel in your mouth. Luckily, we’ve got an answer for you. Read on as a dental implant dentist in South Portland shares what to expect.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the only method of tooth replacement designed to restore an entire tooth from the roots up to the crown. The process involves placing a small titanium post directly into the jawbone, mimicking the natural tooth roots. Since titanium is biocompatible, it can fuse with the surrounding bone tissue to create a long-lasting and sturdy support for any number of replacement teeth. With proper dental care, most patients can expect to enjoy their new smile for several decades, sometimes even a lifetime!
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
After dental implant placement, some patients report feeling a slightly strange sensation while attempting to eat. Of course, this is to be expected during the healing process. You’ll gradually adjust to your new smile and become more comfortable doing the things you used to, like eating. Eventually, you’ll notice your dental implants feel just like natural teeth! And since the metal is implanted into the bone, you won’t have a lingering taste of metal in your mouth. You’ll be able to taste all your favorite foods once again!
Benefits of Dental Implants
You can expect to reap several benefits with dental implants – here are a few.
Fully Restored Tooth
As mentioned earlier, titanium is a strong metal that bonds to the bone. After dental implants are placed into your jawbone, they’ll fuse via a natural process called osseointegration and serve as a replacement for your tooth roots. A temporary restoration may be attached to the implant immediately after you receive it. But in some cases, you’ll need to wait for osseointegration to be complete before receiving a permanent crown.
Improved Comfort
Since implants fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, they provide a stable and long-lasting foundation for the dental restorations (i.e., crown, bridge, denture) that replace your teeth. Unlike other methods of tooth replacement (which rest on top of the gums), your restorations are permanently attached to your implants, acting very much like natural teeth. You won’t have to worry about them slipping and sliding around your mouth!
Unaffected Biting Power
With dentures, some people find it challenging to bite into hard foods. You might have to modify how you eat food so you can comfortably enjoy them. Luckily, you won’t have any of these problems with dental implants! Your biting power will not be affected at all, meaning you can enjoy all the same foods you did before you had missing teeth.
Are you ready to restore your smile with dental implants? Contact your implant dentist in South Portland and ask how you can get started. Your dream look is only a phone call away!
About the Practice
At Gannett Drive Dental, we strive to help you achieve optimal oral health in a comfortable, relaxed, and nurturing environment. Our team is passionate about providing patients of all ages the exceptional, high-quality dental care they deserve. If you have missing teeth, we can restore your smile and confidence with dental implants. To learn more about what they feel like, visit our website or call (207) 253-5600.