Will my dental implant look like my natural teeth?
We often hear patients who need dental implants ask whether their tooth replacement will look natural, and similar to their existing teeth.
At Access Dental, we understand that you might have concerns or feel nervous about getting a dental implant, but we want to help put your mind at ease - dental implants are designed to look and feel very similar to your natural teeth.
Especially for patients who require implants for front teeth, the aesthetic elements of replacement teeth might be top-of-mind. After all, you'll need months to heal between stages of this oral surgery - you likely want the result to look and feel natural.
Our team likes to help answer questions whenever we can, address concerns and help our patients set expectations about what life with implants will be like and how they will look and feel.
How can you make my dental implant look as natural as possible?
Some patients will require a bone graft to ensure their jawbone is strong enough to support the dental implant permanently. The transplanted bone will add volume and density to your jaw in the area where bone loss has happened. The dentist will surgically place the implant to ensure proper placement.
Next, the dentist will take dental impressions of your teeth so a custom-fit tooth replacement can be made. The tooth replacement that's attached to the implant will be a bridge, crown or denture. Since each person's teeth are a slightly different shade, your dentist will take care to match the color, size and shape of your existing natural teeth.
To many people, the aesthetic aspect of dental implants is one of the most important reasons for replacing missing teeth. Every characteristic from the material the tooth replacement is made of to the lab tech making the crown will impact how natural the dental implant appears.
When cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime. Keep in mind that you'll need to practice excellent oral hygiene and care for your implant just as you would your natural teeth, brushing twice a day and flossing once each day.
By the time your dental implant has been placed and the tissue has healed, a casual observer will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between your dental implant and your natural teeth.
Plus, replacing missing teeth will also protect your oral and overall health by preventing surrounding natural teeth from shifting to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. The dental implant will also preserve your facial structure, preventing the 'sunken' look that can result from missing teeth.