Losing your teeth can be a painful and traumatic experience, whether it’s due to age, injury, or tooth decay. Whether we realize it or not, our teeth are integral to our well-being and self-esteem. Fortunately, there are restorative procedures available for those who have lost teeth. Winter Haven Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is proud to offer options to keep you smiling.
Dental implants are an excellent option for those who have lost teeth. Implants can be used to replace one or many teeth. They are a more permanent solution than conventional dentures or bridges. Dental implants are designed to look like the rest of your teeth, so they look and feel natural.
The process of having a dental implant placed in your mouth involves first embedding a titanium post into the bone socket of your missing tooth. The jawbone will heal and grow around the metal post, anchoring it firmly in place. This healing and integration process of the titanium implant to bone can take from 12 to 16 weeks. Next, a small connector post called an abutment is attached to the titanium post. This abutment will securely hold the new tooth. The replacement tooth, or crown, is then attached to the abutment. It is also possible to have an attachment placed on the implant to support a removable denture.
The benefits of dental implants are numerous. They improve your speech, your appearance, your oral health, they are very durable, and convenient. Most importantly, bone needs stimulation to stay healthy. Because dental implants fuse to the bone, they stabilize it and prevent further bone loss. Implants are also easier to eat with because they are fixed in place just like a natural tooth. They also don’t require the use of adhesives that dentures often require. Of course, you still have to practice good dental hygiene, but with proper care, dental implants can last for the rest of your life. Unlike bridges, dental implants do not require the alteration of surrounding teeth. All in all, dental implants are definitely worth the investment.
Bio:
Dr. Gerald V. Cerdan has been practicing dentistry in Winter Haven since 2007. He is a member of the International Dental Implant Association with a Fellowship status, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honors Society, Spear Education Study Club, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Polk County Dental Association. The team at Winter Haven Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is committed to providing high-quality care for all their patients, and Dr. Cerdan is skilled in using cutting-edge technologies to give patients smiles they can be proud of.