What Does It Feel Like to Get Dental Implants?

Getting dental implants is a lifelong commitment, and as such it’s normal to have concerns about how the posts will feel once they’ve joined with your jaw. Will the sensations be similar to your natural teeth? Will you be comfortable with them right away, or will you need time to get used to them? Will you end up tasting metal on a daily basis? Every patient’s experience is slightly different, but luckily, your dentist can give you a pretty firm idea of what you can expect from your new smile.

What is the Dental Implant Process?

To get an idea of how dental implants feel, you first need to think about how they’re placed in the mouth to begin with. Unlike dentures that sit on your gums, dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone. This is done via a simple surgery that involves opening the gum tissues and placing the posts at specifically chosen points in the bone. Afterwards, a process called osseointegration takes place; over the next 3 to 6 months, your jawbone will form a strong bond with the implants. Once osseointegration is complete, your implants will practically be part of your body.

How Will Your Mouth Feel After Getting Dental Implants?

You will need some time for your mouth to fully get used to dental implants. It will take up to a couple of weeks for the discomfort associated with the surgery to fade, and you may continue to feel some odd sensations around your dental implants while you’re adjusting to your new teeth though. Once you’re past this phase, though, your implants will feel comfortable and secure in your mouth.

One thing you’ll notice is that unlike real teeth, dental implants don’t feel sensations like intense pressure, heat, or cold. This is because real teeth contain nerves while dental implants do not. Any sensations that you do pick up around the dental implant are actually felt in the surrounding gum tissue. Aside from that, many people report that their dental implants don’t feel that much different than their natural teeth and are able to use them to eat, speak, and smile without issue.

Will There Be a Metallic Taste?

Since dental implants are generally made of titanium, many people think they leave a metallic taste in your mouth. However, this actually isn’t normally the case. The implant post will be completely covered by your bones and gums. This means your saliva usually won’t come in contact with it for it to leave any sort of taste. If you do taste metal around your dental implant, it may be a sign of an infection or another serious health problem; call your dentist right away.

In short, while you may feel a few odd sensations in the weeks following implant surgery, you can expect your new teeth to feel much like your natural teeth. If you still have concerns about what to expect after getting dental implants, set up a consultation with your dentist today.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins takes pride in always going the extra mile to meet his patients’ dental needs. He graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and since then he has pursued post-graduate programs and studied under some of the top dentists in the world to expand his skills. His studies have included the latest advancements in implant dentistry, and he’s more than happy to answer any questions you might have about the procedure. To schedule your initial implant consultation with Dr. Oshins at Oshins of Smiles in Schenectady, visit his website or call (518) 519-3977.