If you have one or more missing teeth, you probably have lots of questions about dental implants. What will they feel like in your mouth? What effect will they have on your ability to eat and speak? What kind of sensations might you experience throughout the treatment process? Those are all excellent questions — and this brief blog post provides the answers.
After Your Implants Are Placed
During your dental implant surgery, prosthetic tooth roots will be placed in your jawbone. You should feel little to nothing during this part of your treatment. Afterward, though, some soreness, swelling, and other side effects are normal. These tend to dissipate during the days and weeks following the surgery; the implant dentist who performs your surgery will provide post-op instructions to make your recovery as easy as possible. After the soft tissues in your mouth heal, your bone will still be recovering as it bonds with your implants. However, you should feel quite comfortable throughout this portion of your treatment process.
After Your New Teeth Are in Place
Once your implants have bonded with your jawbone, they will be restored. That is to say, a custom crown, bridge, or denture will be attached to them. It is normal to feel a bit of sensitivity at this point. After all, your mouth will at first regard your restoration as a foreign object. Your gums may be tender, and extra saliva production is to be expected. However, no downtime is necessary after your restorations are placed. You will probably adjust to having their restorations in your mouth very quickly, after which they should feel like a natural extension of your body.
Eating and Speaking with Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to offer optimum function. They provide a strong bite force, so you shouldn’t have to take any special precautions when you are eating. For example, unlike traditional dentures, implants will not become destabilized, which means you can bite and chew as your normally would. You can even enjoy relatively tough foods, like grilled meats, raw produce, and more.
You should also be able to speak normally with dental implants. In fact, they might actually improve your ability to make certain sounds! If you notice a lisp after you first get your restoration, be patient and practice speaking. Any pronunciation abnormalities are likely to disappear after you adjust to your prosthetic.
What do dental implants feel like? In short, they feel like natural teeth! After a brief adjustment period, you can expect them to serve as a comfortable, highly functional part of your smile
Meet the Practice
Dr. Minh-Phuong Bui has more than 15 years of experience in dentistry. She and our team at Southeastern Dental Care are proud to provide a range of services for the Lakeville community. We even partner with local specialists to offer start to finish dental implant care. If you are ready to schedule your tooth replacement consultation, or you simply want to ask a few questions, contact us at 508-947-5717.