10 Mar 2023
If you have been thinking about getting dental implants, you have probably done a lot of reading on the subject. While there is plenty of information available online regarding things like tooth implant costs and the best materials to choose from, what about the lesser-known details? Here are the answers to 15 questions about tooth implants that you may have been wondering about.
15 Things You Might Not Know About Dental Implants
1. What Do Dental Implants Taste Like?
Just like healthy natural teeth, dental implants do not leave any bad taste in your mouth. They do not taste like anything on their own. However, they will make it easier for you to taste the food you eat. Many people who get dental implants after having severely decayed teeth removed also report that the procedure helped them get the foul taste of rotten teeth out of their mouth.
2. Can You Feel Dental Implants in Your Cheeks?
No. Dental implants do not have nerve receptors, so you cannot experience sensations through them. They are also anchored tightly into your jawbone, so you will not be able to feel them through the skin of your cheeks. They do not feel any different from natural teeth.
3. Can You Go Through a Metal Detector with Implants?
Yes. Dental implant screws and abutments are made from titanium, a type of metal that is not magnetic. This means that they will not set off any alarms when you pass through a metal detector at the airport or during any other type of security check.
4. Is It Hard to Floss with Full-Mouth Dental Implants?
It depends. Most full-mouth dental implants are done using prosthetics that replace the full arch of teeth, meaning that there is no need to floss between them. You can use a water flosser to easily floss the area between the implants and your natural gums. You can use the same method to floss between multiple implants on the same arch, but it will take longer.
5. Can Dental Implants Cause Tinnitus?
No, getting dental implants will not cause tinnitus. However, you may experience temporary tinnitus after getting the implants surgically placed. This is because the strong vibrations of the dental equipment required to perform the surgery may irritate the sensitive bones and tissues inside your ears.
6. Do Implants Change the Shape of Your Face?
In some cases, yes. People who receive full arch implants often see a big difference in their face shape because their facial structure is now supported by the implants and their bite. The same is true for people who have experienced significant bone loss or who have worn dentures for a long time. Getting implants can fill out the collapsed parts of the face and improve the contours of your cheeks and jawline. However, single-tooth implants will usually not significantly affect your face shape.
7. Can I Get Implants If I Have Osteoporosis?
Possibly, depending on your medical history. Some people take prescription medications for osteoporosis that make the implant placement procedure riskier. If you have this disease, contact your dentist and ask them if you would be a good candidate for Implants.
8. Can I Scuba Dive with Dental Implants?
Yes. Dental implants are made from titanium, a lightweight but extremely durable metal. Titanium can easily withstand the pressure changes you might experience during scuba diving.
9. Can Professional Athletes in Contact Sports Get Dental Implants?
Yes, as long as they take precautions to keep their implants safe while they are playing. Much like they may damage natural teeth, repeated mouth injuries can cause a dental implant to fail. Athletes with implants should wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports to keep their implants intact. They should also refrain from playing until the implants are fully healed and integrated into their bone.
10. Are Dental Implants Sensitive to Hot or Cold Food and Drink?
No. Dental implants do not have any nerves inside them, so they cannot transmit sensations of heat, cold, or pain. The materials they are made from are also very resistant to heat and cold, making it difficult for extreme temperatures to travel from the implants to a nerve.
11. Do Dental Implants Have Fake Gums on Them?
Yes, some dental implants do have fake gums attached to them. This is more common for full arch Implants than single implants. Attaching the fake gums to the implants allows for a more natural-looking result.
12. Do You Ever Need a Root Canal If You Have Full Mouth Dental Implants?
No. People who have full-mouth dental Implants have no remaining natural teeth. Since root canals are done to remove an infection in a natural tooth, it is impossible for a person with no teeth left to need one.
13. Can Dental Implants Change the Sound of My Singing Voice?
Possibly, yes. Any dental prosthetic may change the sound of your speaking or singing voice. However, implants are more likely to help you sing more clearly and easily than they are to hinder your performance. Having an implant placed to close a gap in your teeth gives your tongue something to make contact with when pronouncing words, a function that is vital to clear speech.
14. Do Implants Change a Person’s Sense of Smell or Taste?
Depending on how severe your oral health problems were previously, getting dental implants may significantly improve your sense of smell and taste. This is because removing decaying teeth or bulky dentures allows periodontal disease to clear up and removes any barriers between your food and your taste buds.
15. Can Dental Implants Affect Vision?
No, dental implants placed by a qualified and experienced dentist will not affect your vision. While these implants are placed very close to the nerves around your cheekbones, they will not disturb these nerves if they are properly placed.
Get Your Own High-Quality Tooth Implants in Mississauga
There is no need to worry about getting a dental implant to replace a missing tooth; countless Canadians have already done it and are very happy with the outcome. If you are ready to join them, contact Trillium Smile Dentistry today. Our dental clinic is one of Mississauga residents’ top choices for dental implants. Book your appointment now, and let us show you how easy it can be to get beautiful tooth implants that will last a lifetime.
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