When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it shrinks due to a lack of stimulation. This process, known as bone resorption, often changes your facial structure and makes future dental treatments more complex. Fortunately, dental implants offer a powerful solution by preserving bone and restoring function.
At Softouch Dental Care, Dr. Michael Chung – a general and cosmetic dentist with over 20 years of experience – and his staff offer dental implants to boost patients’ confidence and prevent future complications.
Why Bone Loss Happens After Tooth Loss
Your jawbone relies on regular stimulation from chewing and biting to stay strong. If you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding bone no longer receives those inputs. As a result, the body begins to reabsorb the unused bone tissue, leading to:
- A sunken facial appearance
- Shifting or loosening of surrounding teeth
- Challenges with future restorations
Bone resorption can start within months of losing a tooth, and it’s often irreversible without intervention.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are small titanium posts. A dentist inserts these posts into the jawbone, where they mimic a tooth root and fuse with the bone over time through a process called osseointegration. This can:
- Prevent bone deterioration by stimulating the jaw every time you chew.
- Maintain facial structure and help you avoid a prematurely aged look.
- Provide stable support for crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Is Everyone a Candidate?
Most healthy adults see good results with dental implants. However, sufficient bone is essential for successful placement.
If you’ve already experienced significant bone loss, advanced options, such as bone grafting – a procedure that adds bone material to strengthen and rebuild the jaw – may be needed to support future implants.
Grafting material can come from your own body, a donor, animal sources, or synthetic substitutes. The source depends on your specific needs and individual treatment plan.
Restore Your Smile and Protect Your Jaw with Dental Implants
Dental implants replace teeth and promote long-term oral health. If you’re missing one or more teeth, call 703-319-6990 to book a consultation at Softouch Dental Care in Oakton, VA.
We serve patients throughout Vienna, McLean, and the surrounding areas. Let us help you feel confident in your smile and preserve the foundation beneath it.
