Teeth are a marvel of the natural world. They allow you to speak, eat, and smile with ease. Tooth enamel, the outer layer of teeth, is also incredibly strong — it is the hardest substance in the human body! But how do natural teeth compare to dental implants, which are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement options? Is one stronger than the other or superior in other ways? This blog post provides an honest comparison of the two.
Dental Implants Provide a Firm Bite
One of the most important functions of teeth is their ability to chew food and aid in the early stages of digestion. With healthy natural teeth, you can enjoy virtually any meal or snack with ease, whether you are biting into a crunchy apple or savoring a juicy steak.
Dental implants are also strong; they can allow you to eat virtually all foods. However, the bite force they provide falls short of that of natural teeth. Depending on the type of implant prosthetic you have, it might provide just 80 – 90% of the bite force of the real deal. (That is still a lot better than traditional dentures, which may restore only 25% of the bite force of natural teeth.)
Dental Implants Do Not Decay
Natural teeth are vulnerable to decay. When you eat sugars and starches, they feed harmful bacteria in the mouth, causing the formation of plaque. Plaque, in turn, can wear away at tooth enamel and cause cavities.
In contrast, dental implants and their restorations (the crowns, bridges, and dentures on top of dental implants) are not subject to decay. They will never develop cavities! (This does not mean you can neglect oral hygiene. Infections can still attack the tissue around implants and lead to serious complications if you do not keep up with regular brushing and flossing.)
Dental Implants Are Made of Durable Materials
Dental implant posts are usually made of titanium alloy, which works well within the human body and is very resistant to damage. In fact, it is extremely rare for them to break or crack. The restorations on top of dental implants are often made of porcelain, which is very durable; it is even harder than natural tooth enamel.
So… Which Is Better?
Dental implants might have a few advantages over natural teeth, but that does not make them superior overall. In fact, any responsible oral healthcare provider will do all they can to help you keep your natural teeth. That is because real teeth have a lower risk of infection and other complications, and keeping them can allow you to avoid invasive surgical procedures.
Dental implants are a wonderful way to replace lost teeth, but they do not quite measure up to real dentition! Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon to learn more about the differences between them.
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston, our team features four highly skilled oral surgeons. Altogether, they have many years of experience, and they use a combination of technology and expertise to provide high-quality services for our community. We are proud to offer state-of-the-art dental implant treatment. If you are curious about this form of tooth replacement, we would be happy to answer your questions. Get in touch with our office at 713-783-5560.