How Do Dental Implants Work?

Implant Dentistry in Northern Virginia, including Oakton, Alexandria, Arlington and Washington D.C. areas

Dental implants are the longest lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. Because they are secured into your jawbone, dental implants offer structural support that other forms of tooth replacement simply cannot. Due to this, dental implants offer several benefits over other forms of tooth replacement including:

• Implants support the structure of your jaw
• Implants will not shift or fall out
• Implants will not result in discomfort
• 95 percent of all implants provide a permanent solution for missing teeth

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that your jawbone will accept as a natural tooth root. When you come to our North Virginia office for dental implants, Dr. Michael Chung will carefully evaluate the quality and structure of your jaw to ensure you have sufficient bone density to support an implant. If you do not have enough bone in your jaw, Dr. Chung will discuss your option for bone grafting to provide a base for your implant.

To place an implant, a small hole will be placed in your jaw. Dr. Chung will insert the dental implant into this hole and the healing process will begin. Your jaw will accept your implant in a process known as osseointegration, during which your implant becomes a permanent part of your jaw structure. Once healed, your dental implant will work in the same manner as your natural tooth root, preventing jaw shrinkage, and providing a strong foundation for your false tooth.

The healing process for dental implants can take several months. Once fully healed, you will return to our office to have your procedure completed. During this visit, a screw will be inserted into your implant, and a false tooth – precisely matched to your adjacent teeth – will be placed over the screw. The end result is a functionally superior, aesthetically pleasing smile that can potentially last a life time.

If you live in or around Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C. and are interested in learning more about dental implants, please contact Softouch Dental Care to schedule an initial consultation today.