Do Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth?

What are dental implants?

Dental implants consist of three parts:

1. Implant: This is a man-made “false” root. It is usually composed of titanium. It is gently placed into the bone where the tooth is missing. After three months, the jaw bone fuses to the implant in a very strong fashion. This is called osseous integration. Once this process is completed the implant (false root) is the strongest root in your mouth. The implant is even stronger than natural teeth
2. Abutment: This is the second stage of the restoration which is screwed into the implant, which is lying in the jaw bone below the gum. Once the abutment is screwed in, it acts as a post jutting above the gum. The abutment will support the beautiful porcelain crown, which is the final stage of the restoration.
3. Porcelain Crown: The porcelain implant crown fits over the abutment. Our doctors carefully design the shape, contour, color, fit and occlusal interdigitation to make the crown harmonious with all of your other teeth. The crown looks and feels exactly like a natural tooth.

Ready to learn how this three-part solution can permanently restore your smile? Let’s see if you’re a candidate.

Natural Tooth vs. Implant

Do They Feel Different?

The primary difference between an implant and a natural tooth is the lack of a periodontal ligament. Natural teeth have microscopic ligaments that contain nerve endings, which allow you to feel pressure when you bite down. Because an implant fuses directly to the bone without this ligament, you will not feel the same precise pressure sensation in the implant itself.

However, the surrounding gum tissue and opposing teeth still have their nerve endings. Within a few weeks of receiving your final crown, your brain adapts to the new sensory input, and the implant will simply feel like a natural part of your mouth.

Published in 2015, this comprehensive review investigated the scientific evidence behind “osseoperception,” aiming to explain how dental implants restore sensory-motor control and a natural feel despite the loss of natural tooth roots and periodontal ligaments (Bhatnagar, 2015). The methodology consisted of a systemic literature review analyzing histological and neurophysiologic data published over a 29-year period. The findings reveal that a peripheral sensory feedback pathway is successfully restored following osseointegration, pulling mechanical and tactile sensibility from the temporomandibular joint, muscles, and periosteal mechanoreceptors (Bhatnagar, 2015). This implant-mediated feedback mechanism biologically explains why patients perceive dental implants as functioning and feeling like their natural teeth.

Bhatnagar, V. M. – Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2015

Biting and Chewing Force

One of the most significant drawbacks of traditional dentures is the loss of bite force. Dentures sit on top of the gums, meaning patients often have to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods. Dental implants eliminate this problem entirely.

Published in 2016, this pilot study aimed to quantify the changes in biting forces of edentulous patients wearing conventional complete dentures compared to after receiving implant-supported overdentures (Hasan et al., 2016). The cohort study measured the biting forces of a sample of 26 edentulous patients both before implant insertion and after receiving their implant-supported prostheses. The results demonstrated a drastic improvement in biting power, with forces in the conventional implant group increasing from an initial range of 80–122 N up to 167–235 N post-insertion (Hasan et al., 2016). The study concluded that biting capability improves noticeably after transitioning from conventional dentures to an implant-supported solution.

Hasan, I., et al. – Annals of Anatomy, 2016

Benefits of Implants

1. Implants are convenient and long-lasting.
2. Implants are permanently fixed to your jaw bone, no dental adhesive is needed.
3. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth. You can eat whatever you want.
4. Oral hygiene is not compromised. Brushing with a hand brush or electric brush is identical to brushing natural teeth. You are also able to floss between implant crowns and natural teeth.
5. They prevent bone deterioration and subsequent bone loss.
6. Implants leave surrounding natural teeth unaltered. In the past, a fixed bridge had to be made to replace a missing tooth. The teeth in front and behind the missing space had to be ground down to hold the bridge. Grinding healthy teeth in the world of implants seems barbaric.
7. Implants allow you to eat normally: Any food that is healthy for natural teeth will be fine for implants.
8. Implants have a 95% success rate.
9. Implants last a lifetime when taken care of properly.
10. They can withstand more pressure than natural teeth: Implants are fused to the jaw bone itself.
11. Implants are anchored in the jaw bone and not in the hollow roots of root canal teeth, thus their incredible longevity.

What’s Special about Implants?

Implants are the only tooth replacement option that incorporates an artificial root. Thus they function the most like natural teeth compared to the following modalities:

• Full upper/lower removable denture
• Partial upper/lower removable denture
• Fixed bridge