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 North Park Dental Care, 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 that their jawbone is strong enough to permanently support the dental implant. The transplanted bone will increase the volume and density of your jaw in areas where bone loss has occurred. To ensure proper placement, the implant will be surgically placed by the dentist.
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 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.