Do dental implants feel like real teeth? It’s a question many Australians ask themselves. These people seek cost-effective dental solutions for missing teeth that improve their quality of life and well-being.
Dental implants have become a popular dental intervention for restoring captivating smiles and boosting self-esteem. They make patients feel they’re using natural teeth for biting, chewing, and smiling.
If you’re wondering how dental implants closely mimic natural teeth, you’re not alone. As trusted providers of Brisbane dental crowns and bridges for over thirty years, we can guide you through this journey.
This blog will explain dental implant basics, including their advantages, disadvantages, and recommended upkeep, empowering you to take charge of your long-term dental health and well-being.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts or frames that dentists surgically embed into the jawbone underneath the gums. They can place replacement teeth on the implants after installation.
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots. Their fusion onto the jawbone stabilises prosthetic teeth. Whether you prefer dentures, crowns, or bridges, you won’t feel any shifting or slipping because of the secure fit. Your practitioner will assess your jawbone and gum health before the procedure. The condition of these oral cavity components is critical to the procedure’s success.
Although dental implants can be more expensive than dentures or bridges, their long-term benefits far outweigh the upfront costs. Scheduling a consultation with your dentist can provide you with valuable information and insight to make an informed decision.
Dental Implant Advantages
The advantages of dental implants include the following:
Durability: Proper, consistent care ensures your dental implants will last at least twenty years. Good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups) makes these dental devices a wise, long-term investment that significantly improves oral health and provides you with peace of mind.
Jawbone health: Missing teeth can deteriorate the jawbone over time. Dental implants stimulate this area and encourage healthy jawbone growth and development over time.
Enhanced comfort and confidence: Dental implants are secure dental devices latched onto the jawbone. They act like natural tooth roots that prevent the shifting and slipping of prosthetic teeth. This security provides wearers with a sense of comfort and confidence in various social settings, enhancing their overall quality of life.
Improved speaking and eating: Unlike dentures and bridges, which can be uncomfortable and may shift or slip, dental implants provide patients with a resilient foundation, empowering them to speak confidently, engage in meaningful conversations, and eat their favourite foods.
Dental Implant Disadvantages
The disadvantages of dental implants include the following:
- Surgical intervention: Since dental implants require surgical intervention, they have several risks, including infection, nerve injury, or sinus issues. Unlike dental bridges, which take only one to two weeks to process without extractions, healing from dental implant surgery can take between three and six months.
- Cost: While dental implants may have a higher upfront cost than dentures and dental bridges, their long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment, reassuring patients that they are making a wise choice for their long-term oral health and well-being.
- Suitability issues: Patients with weak jawbones, uncontrolled diabetes, and gum disease may not be suitable candidates for dental implant surgery. Weak jawbones may compromise implant stability, while uncontrolled diabetes and gum disease may interfere with healing.
We strongly recommend consulting an experienced dentist to determine your suitability for this procedure.
The Dental Impact Procedure
Initial assessment: Your dentist will take X-rays and thoroughly assess your oral cavity, gums, and jawbone structure to determine your suitability for dental implants.
Tooth extraction or bone grafting: Some patients may require an extraction if a decayed or damaged tooth is present in the gums. Practitioners will advise them to rest for several weeks to facilitate healing.
On the other hand, some patients with thin or soft jawbones may require bone grafting, a procedure where a dentist places bone material into the affected area. The oral cavity regenerates new bone and provides the implant with a sturdy foundation over time. However, dentists will require patients to heal for three to six months before the implant placement.
Surgery: To ensure optimum comfort, your practitioner will inject anaesthesia into your gums before the procedure. He will embed titanium implants into your jawbone and prescribe a healing time of one to two weeks.
Osseointegration: The implant fuses with the jawbone, creating a resilient foundation for the prosthetic teeth and replacing missing tooth roots.
Abutment placement: An abutment is a small connector that a dentist attaches to the dental implant. This step may require a small gum incision to expose the implant and attach the abutment. Patients usually rest for one to two weeks before the final step.
Crown installation: Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to create a prosthetic crown. He will attach the artificial tooth to the abutment, restoring the visual appeal and function of a natural tooth.
Can Dental Implants Mimic the Sensation of Natural Teeth?
Dental implants can feel like natural teeth. Many Australian patients love the visual appeal and function of these dental devices. Their ability to replace natural tooth roots and stabilise prosthetic teeth provides them with unique advantages over conventional dentures and dental bridges.
The crowns placed on top of dental implants mimic natural enamel, enhancing visual appeal and tooth function. Despite the adjustment period immediately after the procedure, patients eventually become more comfortable with dental implants, develop a captivating smile, and improve self-esteem.
Dental implants’ integration into the jawbone creates a sensation that’s similar to natural teeth. Adapting to this change can enhance your confidence and improve your overall quality of life.
Dental Implant Care
Regular dental implant maintenance is critical to ensure long-term functionality and lifespan. You can achieve these objectives by following these strategies:
- Consistent oral hygiene: We strongly recommend brushing after every meal with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Regular flossing eliminates food particles, which can lead to plaque formation, bacterial accumulation, and bad breath (halitosis).
- Regular dental check-ups: Visiting your dentist twice annually is a game-changer for dental implant maintenance and long-term oral health. Your practitioner will check the implant’s stability, perform oral prophylaxis, and apply fluoride to your teeth.
- Proper nutrition: We encourage dental implant wearers to avoid hard foods (ice, bones, and hard candy), sticky foods, sugary foods and drinks, and tough meats (steaks, jerky), which can cause long-term damage.
Safer alternatives include soft foods such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, eggs, pasta, and smoothies, especially immediately after the surgical procedure.
- Avoid tobacco products: Tobacco may interfere with healing and cause complications.
Dental Implant Alternatives
Australian patients who are not ready or unsuitable for dental implants can choose other alternatives, including the following:
- Dentures: Prosthetic teeth can replace their natural versions and replicate their aesthetic appearance and functionality.
- Partial dentures: Patients with missing teeth in several locations can choose partial dentures. Dentists can adjust these prosthetic teeth when the oral cavity changes over time.
- Dental bridges: Bridges fill the gap that missing teeth create by using adjacent teeth for support.
- Resin-bonded bridges: These dental appliances use a metal framework latched onto existing teeth. They are less invasive than conventional dental bridges.
Please remember that each option has advantages and disadvantages. For this reason, a highly experienced dentist can provide insight into the best alternative based on your needs and lifestyle preferences.
Conclusion
Dental implants can feel like natural teeth because of their secure jawbone fusion, gum integration, and ability to replace natural tooth roots. They are an excellent choice for Australians who want a comfortable dental intervention providing long-term visual appeal and functionality. With proper maintenance, dental implants can help restore a captivating smile and boost your confidence.
Are you considering Brisbane dental implants? Please contact us today to schedule a consultation, receive a personalised, upfront quotation, and receive premium dental services from a trusted clinic with over thirty years of experience.