Do Dental Implants Feel Like Natural Teeth?

Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth! The thing that makes them unique from other tooth replacement options is that they replace the roots of the teeth, not just the chewing surfaces. This allows for a wide range of different benefits, like additional stability, longevity, and comfort. This begs the question: do dental implants feel like regular teeth? Here’s what you should know.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

In the majority of cases, dental implants are made from titanium, and they look like little screws. During your placement procedure, your dentist will place them directly into the jawbone. Over the next couple of months, the dental implants will fuse to the jawbone in a process called “osseointegration.” Once complete, the abutments are placed on the ends of the implants. This is what secures your custom-crafted restoration. Your restoration is made to be the exact size, shape, and color needed to blend in with the rest of your smile, so they won’t stand out against your natural teeth.

When Do Dental Implants Feel Like After Being Placed?

After your dental implants have been surgically placed in your jawbone, you will likely experience some soreness and inflammation for a few days, but you won’t actually be able to feel the dental implants because the jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings. Any discomfort that you experience during the healing period is from the tissue around the implants, and this can be managed with your over-the-counter and/or prescribed pain relievers. In most cases, peak discomfort happens sometime 3-5 days following the surgery. Then, it will subside.

What Do Dental Implants Feel Like After Osseointegration?

Once your dental implants have completely fused to the jawbone, they will feel just like your natural teeth. The bone becomes a stable foundation for your restorations. You might even forget which tooth isn’t a real one!

Other tooth replacement options, like dental bridges and traditional dentures, are great for some people, but they don’t offer the same comfort or stability that implants do. They typically need to be relined, replaced, and repaired periodically. On the other hand, dental implants help patients regain up to 90% of their natural bite force. If you’ve had challenges eating certain foods in the past due to tooth loss, this should no longer be a problem for you.

Dental implants have all sorts of incredible benefits, including that they feel just like natural teeth. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out if they are the right tooth replacement option for you!

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, our team works together to serve patients all over the DFW metroplex! If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, they can help you at one of their 13 locations. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (469) 778-4135.