Unlike conventional dentures or bridges, dental implants are anchored directly into the jaw. As such, they look just like natural teeth. But while we know that dentists work hard to ensure the look of a dental implant is right for the patient, one of the most common questions we get asked here at No Gaps Dental is ‘what do dental implants feel like?’ So let’s dive in and take a closer look…
The short answer is very comfortable. They blend in seamlessly with your remaining natural teeth and moreover, you would care for a dental implant in the same way as you would your natural teeth – through regular brushing and flossing.
In fact, after your dental implant restoration has fully healed, you shouldn’t notice any difference between a dental implant and your natural teeth at all.
The dental implant difference
Where dental implants do differ however is that they aren’t alive like a natural tooth. This is despite the fact that when anchored down into the jaw, the titanium screw stimulates the surrounding bone tissue, just like an actual tooth root.
Naturally, and unlike normal teeth, a dental implant contains no nerves and therefore isn’t sensitive to extremes of heat or cold, nor is it likely to be sensitive to air if the crown sitting over the implant ever became chipped or cracked, or indeed pressure. That’s the real difference between dental implants and natural teeth.
So where can discomfort come from?
You’ve probably heard that failing or failed dental implants can cause problems or discomfort but let’s start by saying that most implant discomfort stems from the surrounding gum tissue rather than the dental implant itself. Let me explain…
If bacteria get into the gum tissue surrounding an implant it can trigger a problem known as peri-implantitis. This is a destructive inflammatory process that affects both the soft and hard tissues. Once infection takes hold it can cause great discomfort. This is why it’s vital to maintain high standards of oral hygiene, not just in the early stages of an implant restoration but for the foreseeable future. Proper daily brushing and flossing alongside regular check-ups should be sufficient to keep any dental implant issues at bay.
What do dental implants feel like when eating?
You may be forgiven for thinking that because dental implants are a mechanical appliance set amongst a host of natural teeth, that they become more noticeable when eating or chewing but this simply isn’t true…
Unlike a conventional denture that sits on the gum line, dental implants are designed to be super-strong. In fact, they typically have a bite force of around 85-90% of natural teeth. When you compare this to a conventional denture which has somewhere between 30-40%, you can see that eating with dental implants is very easy. Once integrated into the mouth, a dental implant simply becomes part of your natural bite and as a result, implant wearers are unlikely to feel or notice any difference at all.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for those who wear more conventional forms of tooth replacement. Typically the weakness in appliances like dentures needs to be compensated for in the foods that are eaten. As a result, denture wearers tend to avoid anything brittle, crunchy or hard and instead will stick to foods that are easily chewed. This can limit dietary choices.
Now we know what dental implants feel like during the chewing and eating process, what about living with them day-to-day – how do they feel then?
Living with dental implants
The primary difference between conventional dentures or bridges and dental implants is that an implant is permanently fixed into the mouth. This means that once in position, a dental implant isn’t going to move. Because the titanium root is designed to fuse with any remaining bone tissue, it creates an immovable platform.
On the contrary, a conventional denture rests on the gum line and is supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues. The problem is that over time, these soft and hard tissues will change shape in a process known as bone absorption. When this happens, dentures, in particular, can become loose in the mouth and embarrassing denture slippage can occur.
In effect, when it comes to living with dental implants on a day-to-day basis, they really are a hassle-free solution that feels just like part of your natural dentition. After a dental implant has fully healed, you probably won’t even realise it’s there. Instead, it’s likely to remain just another part of your smile for many years to come.
So there you have it….
If you are considering a dental implant to replace a missing tooth and would like to find out more about what do dental implants feel like or any other information that will help to make an informed decision, contact our experienced team at No Gaps Dental.
Because we’re a multi-location dental group with 15 dental practices in and around the Sydney Metropolitan area, we’re able to keep our prices low without compromising on quality. We’ll take the time to answer all your dental implant questions and concerns to ensure that you fully understand the process before you commit.
If you are interested in dental implants then contact a No Gaps Dental dentist of your choice at (02) 8806 0227 and book a consultation today. With over 200,000 happy patients already served, we’re well-positioned to help you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.