When people set out to replace all or some of their missing teeth, aesthetics can be a concern. Of course, having a full set of teeth confers many benefits, but people may be curious about how natural their dental restorations will look -- especially when the teeth being replaced are highly visible, like the front teeth. Dental implants provide some of the most natural-looking dental restorations possible and are designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Especially when compared to other dental restoration options, like removable bridges, dental implants are easily the most natural-looking dental restoration option around. Of course, it’s important to work with an experienced periodontist who has a good track record of successful, attractive implant procedures; ask your dental health practitioner to see some patient before-and-after photos so you can see for yourself.
Dentistry overall, but especially implant dentistry, combines science and art in interesting and complex ways. Dental restorations must be engineered properly to provide the proper stress-bearing function the teeth face while biting and chewing. They also should be sculpted and tinted meticulously, to effectively match the shape and tone of the natural teeth. Dental implant specialists are highly trained in fitting, crafting, and placing natural-looking, strong, functional dental implant restorations that can last a lifetime. Some dental implant practices have in-office labs and can craft dental crowns on-site; others outsource the manufacture of implants to dental laboratories that employ highly trained artisans to manufacture strong and beautiful implants and crowns.
Certain features of dental implants help them appear more realistic while also enhancing their strength and function. Dental implant fixtures begin fully beneath the gum tissue and are therefore invisible until the dental crown is placed on the implant fixture. This creates the effect of the crown of the tooth emerging from the gum, rather than sitting upon it, just as it appears with a natural tooth. As dental implant technology has improved over the years, more and more types of materials are being used to make dental implants and crowns. This helps the dentist and dental technician perfectly match the crown to your natural teeth in shape, tone, and luminescence, and it helps the implant fixtures integrate with the surrounding bone and provide a solid, stable root for the crown. Once the implant integrates with the bone as it heals following placement, in a process called osseointegration, there is an added benefit: the implant fixture supports and stimulates the bones of the jaw, helping to prevent the sunken appearance of the lower face that can result from bone resorption that follows the loss of natural teeth. In some cases, thanks to medical and technical innovations and solid engineering, a full, strong set of replacement teeth can be placed on as few as four dental implants, allowing for a less-invasive and less time-consuming procedure that’s just as stable and realistic looking. Dental implants can confer many benefits to the patient, including an attractive, realistic appearance, and they should be considered a valuable and long-lasting investment into your health and appearance.