You’ve decided to replace your missing teeth with dental implants. They will fill up the gaps in your smile, and they look close enough to regular teeth. But will other people be able to tell that they are not the teeth you were born with? Let’s look more closely at whether others can tell that you have dental implants in Harrisburg, PA.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are actually made of 3 distinct parts:
- A small post made of titanium
- A restoration such as a crown or bridge
- An abutment that connects the two
To insert the post into your jaw, your dentist in Harrisburg will create an incision in the gums during a surgical procedure. Over the next several months, your jawbone will actually grow with the metal post, securely holding them together. The post will essentially replace the root of the missing tooth, something that other tooth replacement options like dentures cannot do. After the integration is complete, your dentist will attach the abutment and prosthetic tooth, and your smile will be good to go!
Will Others Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
Naturally, this is a common worry among patients who receive dental implants. After all, implants have a reputation of only being used by the elderly, but adults of all ages can and do get them.
The people close to you in your life, especially the one who drives you to and from your implant surgery, will know that you have implants. Also, anyone who talks to you for the first few months after your procedure might be able to tell that you have a metal post in your mouth. If you are self-conscious about this, it may be a good idea to talk in a way that conceals your implant. Since implants usually replace molars, this can be easy to do. Unfortunately, if you are replacing a front tooth, it’s pretty much impossible to conceal it.
However, once your crown is attached to the top of your implant, it’s virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Crowns can be customized the match the size, shape, and color of a natural tooth. Your dentist will make sure your crown fits right in with the rest of your smile. Everyone who meets you after your crown has been installed with be unable to detect that you have a dental implant unless you tell them.
Whether they are noticeable or not, dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and fill in any gaps in your smile. If you have any questions or concerns about implants, ask your dentist about them today.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Klein earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU’s College of Dentistry. Soon after, he opened his private practice in Harrisburg, PA. Recently, Dr. Klein was named one of the top 40 dentists in the whole country by Incisal Edge Magazine. He has also been named a Top Dentist in Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg Magazine. To learn more about how he can rebuild your smile with dental implants, click here or call (717)-652-6644.