Dental Implants Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants are as close as you can get to natural teeth – they feel like your natural teeth, they work like your natural teeth, and most importantly, they look like your natural teeth… but better!

Replacing a lost or damaged tooth with a dental implant is like starting over to give you a stronger tooth with more cosmetic appeal.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a replacement for a tooth root, which is the part of the tooth that sits below your gum line and holds your tooth in place. Specifically, a dental implant is a titanium post that your dentist surgically implants into your jawbone; your dentist caps the tooth with a natural looking crown. In time, the bone material in your jaw fuses with the implant to hold the titanium post in place permanently.

The implant creates a sturdy structure that provides a permanent root for one or more missing teeth. This means it will function just like natural teeth – you can eat, talk and smile just as you did before you lost your tooth, and without worry that your tooth will fall out. Dentists cover the titanium post with a natural looking crown made just for you, so your dental implant looks just like the rest of your teeth.

Dental implants look identical to your other teeth, so nobody will know you have lost one or more teeth. People may notice that your smile looks healthier than ever before, though, and you will notice more confidence in the way you talk, smile and eat.

Today’s Implants Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants have been around a long time. In fact, early versions of the implants have been around since about 2000 BC, when they would carve bamboo pegs to replace missing teeth. Today’s implants are much better than bamboo, of course, and they last longer too. After years of scientific research and technological innovation, modern dental implants are sleek, reliable and attractive. The creators of implants continue to work hard to make an exact clone of missing teeth, so you have a perfect smile.

The natural feel of dental implants is the result of the strong bond between the bone and the metal implant post. In a process known as osseointegration, bone tissue grows around the titanium post and eventually fuses with it. This means the implant becomes a part of the jawbone, so your replacement tooth stays in place.

Dental Implants Will Make Eating Feel Natural

The loss of one or more teeth makes it hard to eat your favorite foods – you can forget biting into an apple or chewing on a thick steak! Even eating with dentures can feel unnatural, as dentures can slide around in your mouth as you bite and chew. Dental implants feel more natural because they allow you to apply the same amount of force with all of your teeth.

Implants Don’t Have Nerves

Because they are artificial tooth roots, implants do not have nerves. Your natural teeth have a porous surface with tubules, or hollow tubes, that connect to the nerve of the tooth. Hot or cold foods and beverages can cause teeth sensitivity; pressure on the tooth from biting and chewing can cause pain. Implants, by comparison, do not have a nerve so you will never feel heat, cold or pressure on the implant. For this reason, it is even more important to see a quality dental team for your regular hygiene visits. Should any issue with your dental implant arise, a lot of times the hygienist or dentist will be able to tell early on and be able to address it.

Still have questions? We’re here to help. Contact Carolina Implant today to schedule an appointment.

Williams & Daily Dental is a family and cosmetic dentist located in North Raleigh, NC with a team of dedicated dentists enthusiastic in their commitment to their patients. We offer dental implants, Invisalign teeth straightening, in-office and home teeth whitening options, and Oral-B electric toothbrushes. Contact Williams & Daily at (919) 846-9070 for more information and to schedule an appointment today.