If you are missing teeth, then you likely want to replace them with a treatment that’ll last for a long while. As you look into your options, you might see that dental implants are the gold standard. They can last for a lifetime with proper care while restoring your bite. However, you might be wondering if they are stronger than your natural teeth. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to their strength.
What Makes Dental Implants a Reliable Choice?
Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants use your jawbone to make them as stable as they are known to be. A post will be surgically inserted into your jaw, and then osseointegration will take place. This is when the fixture will fuse to the bone around it. It will become a permanent part of your oral anatomy, but this is only facilitated by the material used.
The post is often made from titanium or zirconia, but both are biocompatible. They will be able to interact with living tissue without causing any adverse effects, meaning they won’t go anywhere when you finish with your recovery. Once you are fully healed, then what you have is sort of like a tooth root. You’ll have a restoration placed on top, and you can show off a reliable smile you love.
So, Are Dental Implants Stronger Than Natural Teeth?
Since dental implants are typically made from metal or ceramic, you might imagine they are as strong, if not stronger than your natural teeth. However, this isn’t the case. No tooth replacement out there will give you your original bite force. While this treatment gets close to 90% back, the grin you grew up with takes the cake.
Your enamel is the hardest substance your body makes, but it’s not invincible. It can get a cavity if you don’t clean off plaque on them. Implants can’t develop decay, but they are still vulnerable to the bacteria in your mouth. The soft tissues around them can become infected, leading to gum disease. This condition, when left untreated, can cause failure, so neither is more lasting than the other in this case. Both rely on your help to make sure they are in great shape.
In the end, dental implants may not be as strong as natural teeth, but they can hold their own if you are missing a tooth or more. No matter what, you should be sure you treat both with care. That way, you can avoid replacements in the first place and enjoy your smile for longer.
About the Practice
At Sage Dental Care, you benefit from the compassionate leadership of Dr. Josh Branco and Dr. Annie Kim. We are dedicated to helping the Reno community get the full grins they love with reliable replacement options like dental implants. By customizing your results, you can trust that they look and feel natural in the end. If you have gaps in your smile you want filled, schedule an appointment or call our South Reno office at (775) 409-4282.