How Closely Do Dental Implants Mimic a Natural Tooth?

After losing a tooth, your life changes dramatically. From the psychological effects of an incomplete smile to the difficult nature of eating food properly, tooth loss will affect your daily life. Fortunately, there is hope with implant dentistry. Dental implants are the most lifelike option for replacing natural teeth and provide a number of oral health benefits including restored oral function and a natural looking appearance.

What is a dental implant?

Quite simply, a dental implant is a permanent prosthetic tooth that replaces both a tooth’s visible surface and the surface of a tooth below the gums. The first stage of receiving an implant is a minor oral surgery where a titanium post is embedded into the jawbone. Titanium is a unique metal because it is biocompatible. This means that the bone surrounding the titanium post will integrate to the implant and hold it in place. Once the post has stabilized, a prosthetic crown is attached to an abutment. While the post replaces a tooth’s root, the crown replaces the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. Dental crowns are constructed from various materials but one of the most popular is porcelain. Available in various white shades, porcelain looks incredibly natural.

How do I care for dental implants?

Since a dental implant is a permanent replacement tooth, you will brush and floss them as you do your biological teeth. Even though implants are resistant to cavities, neighboring teeth and gingival tissue are still susceptible to disease. This is why maintaining meticulous oral hygiene is important.

After receiving implants, you will also need to visit the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups to ensure that the rest of your mouth is healthy and that your implant remains stable.

How do I know if implants are right for me?

While implants are the best available option for replacing natural teeth, not all patients are candidates for this procedure. The only way to be certain whether implant dentistry is right for you is to schedule a consultation at our practice.

To reserve an appointment, contact the office of Dr. Samuel F. Jirik at (501) 843-9561 today.

Book An Appointment

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

* All indicated fields must be completed.
Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

Contact me

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top