Tooth loss can potentially detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. For example, you might struggle to bite and chew normally, have challenges enunciating different words, or feel self-conscious about the changes to your appearance.
Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to rebuild your smile because of the unique advantages provided by their placement in your jawbone. But many patients want to know what these teeth feel like before committing to treatment. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect!
What Are Dental Implants Made From?
Before diving into what these replacement teeth usually feel like, it’s important to establish what they are and the materials used to create them. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, implants involve surgically placing a support rod directly into your jaw, which eventually fuses with the bone to become a more permanent part of your mouth. This is usually made from titanium, which is a lightweight, non-corrosive metal that’s strong enough to withstand the pressure of daily biting and chewing.
This pole is capped with a titanium abutment that’s used to anchor a lifelike restoration that’s typically fabricated out of resilient ceramic that reflects light like enamel and can be customized to match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth for beautiful results.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Many patients worry that this procedure will inevitably be long and agonizing, but that’s not usually the case! Your provider will numb your mouth before beginning your treatment to help you feel calm and comfortable, so most patients don’t need to worry about potential aches until after the medications wear off.
Then, it’s normal to experience aches and inflammation for a few days or weeks while your mouth mends. Many patients can safely reduce symptoms by applying an ice pack to the sore side of their face for 15-minutes at a time for a temporary numbing reprieve, or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
What Do Dental Implants Feel Like?
If you are concerned that your new tooth will feel awkward in your mouth or stick out like a sore thumb, you can thankfully set your fears aside. These restorations are designed to look and feel as comfortable and realistic as possible.
For instance, they’re the only treatment that includes a support rod in your jaw, which functions like the root of a tooth to keep your jawbone active and healthy. Not only that, but your new tooth is carefully designed to resemble your natural enamel for seamless results to boost your confidence.
That means that of all the possible ways to restore your smile after tooth loss, dental implants look and feel more natural than the other potential treatments!
Meet the Author
Dr. Christina Herrera is passionate about building relationships with patients in order to help them build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Oklahoma, then completed a general practice residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. Today, she provides a full menu of services, including dental implant placement and restoration, using state-of-the-art technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (408) 378-8773.