Living in Florida, you may have had your share of alligator encounters and have probably developed a healthy fear of these dangerous yet fascinating creatures. And if you are like most people, you would probably fear an alligator’s mouth and teeth more than any other part of it. But you might start looking at an alligator’s mouth differently after you find out that these very same teeth, teeth that have always struck fear in hearts of children and small dogs, could change the future of dentistry forever.

When a person loses a tooth, he or she has a few options – they can get an implant, a crown, a bridge – or they can even just leave it alone and continue their lives with the gap. When an alligator loses a tooth, they grow a new one. Simple as that.

April 6-12 is National Prosthodontics Awareness Week, a week which brings national attention to the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth. Now in its fifth year, the week-long event is sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). The week will feature events and seminars throughout the United States as well as highlight recently published articles and studies regarding American dentistry and oral prosthetics.

Join your colleagues from around the country to not only inform the public about the importance of replacing missing teeth, but to show appreciation for the skills and knowledge that prosthodontists bring to the field of dentistry.