Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Serving Northern Virginia including Oakton, Fairfax, Reston, Alexandria, Arlington and Washington D.C.

Various tooth replacement options exist. Implant dentistry has several benefits for the aesthetics and function of your teeth, and provide a long-term way to replace one missing tooth or multiple teeth. In Northern Virginia, experienced dentist Dr. Michael Chung provides dental implants to people living in Fairfax, Arlington, Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas.

Wearing Dentures to Replace Teeth

Although dentures have been a viable tooth replacement option for many years, some people experience several disadvantages to dentures, including:

• Tendency to slip and shift
• Clicking sound while speaking or eating
• Require regular removal for cleaning
• Persistent gum irritation

Dentures can ultimately feel uncomfortable. Dentures can affect your confidence when they lead to difficulty chewing and articulating; however, dentures remain an affordable and convenient option for many people seeking cosmetic dentistry for missing teeth.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants have several characteristics reversing the shortcomings of dentures. Unlike dentures, dental implants are firmly rooted in your bone, so the restoration does not slip around and is not removable. Instead, dental implants work by being placed in your jaw, providing optimal comfort and function.

Other advantages of dental implants include:

• Look like your natural teeth
• Anchored to your bone
• Prevent bone deterioration

Not only do dental implants look natural, they prevent the facial collapse associated with missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, the ridge of bone supporting your teeth will begin to deteriorate in response to the missing tooth root. The bottom portion of a dental implant mimics the presence of a real tooth root, promoting the strength and health of the bone supporting your teeth.

In general, dental implants are the most effective tooth replacement option because implants have many of the same qualities of natural teeth. You clean the dental implant just as you do your other teeth, and the dental implant provides the same function, comfort, and appearance of a natural tooth.

If you live in Washington D.C., Fairfax, Arlington or the surrounding Northern Virginia areas and would like to learn more about dental implants, please contact experienced dentist Dr. Michael Chung to schedule a consultation at Softouch Dental Care.