Andrew Forrest,
D.M.D., M.S.
1500 DENTAL
1500 N Federal Hwy.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 715-1000
If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable or don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge, talk to your dentist to see if dental implants are an option for you. Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. In fact, the development and use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a strong anchor for replacement teeth.
There are generally three phases to getting an implant:
First, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jawbone. Your dentist may recommend a diet of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup during the healing process.
Next, the bone around the implant heals in a process called osseointegration. What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it in place. Osseointegration means “combines with the bone” and takes time. Some patients can have the implants and replacement teeth placed all in one visit.
Finally, it’s time for the placement of the artificial tooth/teeth. For a single tooth implant, your dentist will customize a new tooth for you, called a dental crown. The crown will be based on size, shape, color and fit, and will be designed to blend in with your other teeth. The entire process from start to finish could take two months.
Dr. Forrest is the Clinical Director of 1500 DENTAL. For more than 10 years, Dr. Forrest has been one of Florida’s leading dentists treating some of the most challenging cases. Using a multi-specialist approach, his practice is comprised of a team of doctors that include five advanced trained dentists who focus on general, cosmetic, orthodontic, and implant dentistry.
