Your mouth has many functions. You eat, speak, breathe and express yourself with it. It is only natural then, that you would have many questions concerning its well-being. If a tooth is giving you trouble, for example, if it is badly stained or has had one too many fillings, you may be considering replacing it with a dental implant.
But, is that the right thing to do? Could a dental implant do what a natural tooth could—even one that is on the verge of failing? It's a big step. Obviously, you will have many questions about what the future could hold if you go for a dental implant. This article will try to answer as many of them as possible.
Can Dental Implants Exert Similar Force?
Yes, they can. A dental implant consists of a titanium rod, which is inserted into the jawbone, an abutment and a crown. Once the rod is inserted into the jawbone, new bone will begin to form around the implant. In fact, new bone formation may occur in as little as 4 days. Within 1-3 months, enough bone will have formed to firmly hold the implant in place.
What does this have to do with force? Your natural teeth are also held in place by bone. This allows them to exert as much as 250 pounds of force per square inch whilst you are eating. That is more than enough force to enjoy steak, nuts and even hard-boiled candy. Dental implants can exert comparable force. Like natural teeth, they can bite through a tough steak with no trouble at all.
Do Dental Implants Feel Like Natural Teeth?
Not exactly. A healthy, fully vital tooth that still has its nerve intact, can sense pressure, temperature and of course pain. A dead tooth, one that has had a root canal and lots of fillings, cannot sense these things. However, you can still use it for chewing. The teeth that surround it can feel for the dead tooth.
The same is true of dental implants. They do not have periodontal ligaments, the network of fibres that keep the tooth connected to the bone and allow it to feel. But, like a tooth that has had a root canal, they can chew foods just as well. They will also never suffer from cavities or give you toothache as a natural tooth would.
Do Dental Implants Stain as Real Teeth Do?
No, they don't. The outer surface of a natural tooth is porous. Older teeth may also contain craze lines or micro cracks due to years of use. Because of this, staining particles from foods find their way into these cracks and work their way into the teeth, causing them to change colour.
Dental implant crowns are usually made of porcelain. Porcelain is not porous and so will not stain like a natural tooth. A surface stain could occur from smoking but whitening would not be necessary to remove those stains. A dental cleaning or use of an abrasive toothpaste would suffice.
And of course, dental implants can be made to look like your other teeth. That is, your other teeth, in shape, size and colour. While not exactly alike, a dental implant tooth can do all the things that a natural tooth can. To learn more about dental implants, contact services like DI Dental Implant Centre.
