**Why Do I Feel My Dental Implants Are Soft After Getting Them in Mainland China?**
In recent years, many Hong Kong residents have chosen to travel to Mainland China for dental treatments, especially for dental implants, due to convenient transportation and a wider range of treatment options. However, some people have shared with me that after getting dental implants, they often feel a "soft" sensation while eating, not as firm as before. What causes this feeling?
**1. Initial Adaptation Period for Implants**
After dental implant surgery, the gums and surrounding tissues need time to adapt to the new implants. Although the artificial tooth post and crown are securely fixed, surrounding tissues like gums and nerves are still in recovery. Initially, you may experience less stability or a soft feeling when biting, which is typically temporary and improves as your body gradually adjusts.
**2. Differences in Crown Material and Texture**
The material of artificial dental crowns differs from real teeth. Even high-quality ceramic or composite materials may not completely replicate the feel of natural teeth. Some individuals are inherently more sensitive to texture, finding artificial teeth relatively softer or less rigid. Especially since clinics in Mainland China use various materials, they may differ from what youre accustomed to, leading to a perceived disparity.
**3. Incomplete Occlusion Adjustment**
Post-implant, if the occlusion points arent properly adjusted, pressure might not be evenly distributed when biting food, resulting in a sensation that the bite isnt "hard enough." Sometimes, adjacent teeth need alignment to match the new implants height or angle, requiring slight adjustments by the dentist to ensure even distribution of chewing force.
**4. Health Condition of Surrounding Teeth**
Dental implants address the gap of missing teeth, but if surrounding teeth or gums arent healthy, compromised root stability can result in a weakened overall chewing experience. Eating relies not just on implants but on adjacent
teeth as well. Issues like periodontal disease or gum recession will impact bite strength.
**5. Psychological Adaptation**
Many individuals have concerns post-surgery about the implant loosening or failing, leading them to bite gently and perceive a lack of hardness. Over time, the brain might become accustomed to this softer bite sensation, even if the implant is actually stable.
**6. Post-Surgery Care Practices**
Without proper care such as thorough cleaning and regular check-ups after getting implants in Mainland China, gums might become inflamed or swollen, worsening bite sensation. The health of periodontal tissues directly affects implant stability and chewing feel.
**How to Improve the "Soft" Sensation?**
- **Regular Check-Ups:** Regardless of where the procedure was done, consult a dentist in Hong Kong to examine the stability and health of the implant, crown, and surrounding tissues.
- **Occlusion Adjustment:** If biting feels uneven, ask the dentist for adjustments to ensure balanced chewing pressure.
- **Enhance Cleaning:** Maintain effective brushing twice daily, complemented by floss or an oral irrigator, to prevent gum inflammation.
- **Gradual Chewing:** Start with easily chewable foods to gradually increase force, helping oral muscles and the implant to adapt.
- **Maintain Healthy Habits:** Quit smoking and minimize eating overly sweet or hard foods to reduce pressure on the teeth.
**Conclusion**
Feeling a "soft" sensation after implants in Mainland China is often influenced by multiple factors, including physiological recovery, material differences, occlusion adjustments, periodontal health, and psychological adaptation. Most issues can be gradually improved with regular exams and proper care. The key is not to ignore discomfort — dont hesitate to consult a dentist for any unease to ensure long-term oral health and quality of chewing.
So, next time if a friend mentions a "soft" sensation after getting implants in Mainland China, youll know the probable reasons and can advise them on how to manage it.
