Will my dental implant look like my natural teeth?
Patients who require dental implants often ask whether their tooth replacement will look natural, and similar to their existing teeth.
At Today's Dental, we understand you may have concerns or be nervous about getting a dental implant, but we want to help set your mind at ease – dental implants are designed to look and feel very similar to your natural teeth.
The aesthetic aspects of replacement teeth may be one of the most important concerns for patients who require implants for their front teeth. After all, this oral surgery typically requires months of healing time between stages, so you'll want the final result to look and feel natural!
Whenever we can, we like to help answer questions, 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.
The dentist will then take dental impressions of your teeth in order to create a custom-fit tooth replacement. A bridge, crown, or denture will be attached to the implant as a tooth replacement. Because everyone's teeth are slightly different colours, your dentist will make every effort to match the colour, 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.