Miami Dental Care is committed to building a dental home for you. We want to learn about you, understand your goals for your smile and help you reach them. Over time, the goals may remain the same, but the circumstances may change. We will be here for you offering a wide array of treatment options to meet your needs.

We are always expanding our treatments and services so let us know if there is something you’re interested in pursuing. If you have questions about a procedure, please ask us. It is important for you to fully understand every treatment so you know what to expect, why it’s necessary and how to prevent future occurrences.  Currently, we offer the services described below.

Bonding

Bonding, is how composite resin fillings adhere to teeth. It allows for the replacement of small amounts of lost tooth structure with tooth-colored material that gives a natural appearance. Bonding can be used to repair worn tooth surfaces and close small spaces between teeth. More conservative than veneers or crowns, composites are an excellent cosmetic treatment option when appropriate. However, like natural teeth, composite resin fillings may become stained by certain foods, drinks and personal habits such as smoking.

Bridgework

Sometimes the effects of tooth decay, gum disease or even injury can lead to tooth loss. The resulting empty space is not only unsightly, but also can lead to other dental problems if not corrected.

A bridge is an ideal method, both functionally and cosmetically, to fill the empty space created by missing teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. Bridgework is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy or all ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear and/or aesthetics.

Preventive Oral Health Care (Cleanings)

Our preventive care appointments include a thorough examination, a professional cleaning to remove plaque and bacteria from the oral environment, any necessary radiographs, a fluoride treatment and a cosmetic polish. Though we strive to provide the highest level of care in our office, a consistent and effective home oral hygiene regimen is important. That includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash as recommended.

Crowns

A crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth’s appearance, shape and alignment. Crowns may be used to:

• Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Dental implants

Today’s best option for replacing one or more missing teeth is implant therapy. An implant is a small titanium screw or post surgically placed into the jaw bone. The bone tissue integrates with the implant during the healing process to act as the root of a tooth, creating a stable foundation on which to attach a permanent restoration for one or more teeth.

Dental implants can replace any number of teeth. From a single tooth to full top or bottom dentures, dental implants can be an excellent solution and have many advantages over other treatment options, including:

• Healthy adjacent teeth remain untouched
• More comfortable and aesthetically pleasing
• Reduced risk of bone loss in the jaw
• Better chewing efficiency

Proper care by you and your dentist is crucial to preserve your dental implants. You will receive detailed instructions to care for your implant after it is in place to ensure you maintain your new, healthy smile.

Dentures

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available: partial and complete dentures.

Complete dentures are used to restore your smile and mouth function if all your teeth have been lost. The dentures are custom created to resemble natural teeth and are removable. They may require adjustments in order to create a proper fit with the gums and mouth.

Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth still remain in the upper or lower jaw. They usually consist of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored resin base which is held in place in the mouth. A ‘fixed’ partial denture acts the same as a removable denture, but it is cemented into place using the adjacent teeth for support.

Digital radiography

With digital radiography, we place a small sensor in your mouth to capture images of your teeth. The digital sensor is electronic and connected to a computer where the image is projected on a screen for your dentist to view. Some of the benefits of digital radiography include:

• Less radiation – Digital x-rays use up to 90% less radiation than film x-rays.
• Quicker results – Digital radiography images are delivered to the screen almost immediately eliminating the wait time on developing film.
• Simpler transfer of records – Digital x-rays can be emailed directly to specialists in advance of referral appointments.
• Environmentally friendly – There are no chemicals, no film and no wasted storage space with digital radiography.

Extractions

The goal of dentistry is to preserve and protect your natural teeth to ensure they last a lifetime. However, when a tooth is severely damaged or causing damage to surrounding teeth, removing it may be necessary. Routine extractions can often be done in our office, but for more difficult cases we may refer you to an oral surgeon.

Fillings

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape.   It also helps prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria can enter. We offer two filling materials: composite resins and porcelain.

• Composite resins are custom made to match the color of your natural teeth, creating a more natural appearance. Composite fillings contain no mercury and have proven as durable as metal fillings. It’s important to note that similarly to your natural teeth, composite resin fillings can become stained by certain foods and beverages and tobacco use.
• Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are custom created in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth, resist staining and are about the same cost as crowns. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth, making the filling nearly undetectable.

Intraoral camera

An intraoral camera takes high definition digital images inside of the mouth capable of revealing important details such as cracks, cavities and other anomalies.

Night guards

A night guard is a flexible plastic mold of your upper teeth used at night by people with bruxism, a condition in which you habitually grind or clench your teeth. Teeth grinding frequently occurs while sleeping and though we still don’t fully understand the cause, possible causes include:  stress, anxiety, anger, aggression, sleep apnea, abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth and complications from other disorders.

Wearing a night guard while you sleep can help alleviate the symptoms commonly caused by bruxism, such as:

• Damage to tooth enamel which can lead to cracked or broken teeth
• Headaches
• Neck and jaw pain

Depending on your particular situation, Dr. Robinson may also recommend a visit to a sleep specialist, medical doctor or orthodontist to address the root cause of your teeth grinding.

Oral DNA testing

Currently for every 2,600 dentists, on average only ONE has the technology to do DNA testing. We are one of those few practices to offer DNA testing for our patients. DNA testing allows us to catch dental problems as early as possible, and customize treatments.

The test is performed by gently rubbing a swab inside your cheek. It is then analyzed, using molecular technology to determine your susceptibility to oral disease related to inflammation. If the test shows higher reactivity related to inflammation, you are at an elevated risk for tooth loss. We can then tailor your preventive care accordingly and make any necessary adjustments regarding your tooth repair and replacement.

It’s also useful for families. If one family member has highly active bacterial infections, it will be important for immediate family members to get tested as it’s likely they will have the same bacteria in their mouth. In addition, even if you are successfully treated, they can re-infect you if they aren’t also treated.

For peace of mind, you should know that your results are confidential and we never share them with any insurance company or centralized health database.

Root canals

When a cavity is not repaired in a timely manner, it can reach the tooth pulp and cause an infection. This type of infection cannot heal on its own and can even weaken your entire immune system if not treated. A root canal allows us to remove the infected tissue and preserve the tooth.

We will generally recommend restoring the affected tooth with a crown following a root canal.

Sealants

Dental sealants are special coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to fill in narrow grooves that cannot be cleaned with normal brushing and flossing. Sealants create a barrier in these areas to reduce the likelihood of cavities and decay. They are especially effective when applied to premolars and molars in children.

Sedation

We offer two sedation options for patients coming in for longer procedures and to help other patients feel at ease during their visit.

• Oral sedation is simply taking a pill prior to your procedure to induce sleep. You will feel no pain and have little to no memory of the experience.
• Nitrous Oxide sedation, also known as laughing gas, is commonly used to make treatment more comfortable. The mixture of nitrous oxide and pure oxygen is inhaled through a mask to induce a state of relaxation. Local anesthetic will be administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide to eliminate pain.

Soft tissue laser dentistry

Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue on the front teeth. The laser is often used in cosmetic procedures related to the placement of veneers and crowns.

The soft tissue laser can also be used to destroy bacteria in gum pockets, preventing infection and allowing the tissue to return to a healthy state. The soft tissue laser enables the dentist and hygienist to treat our patients who have infection in the gums and bone with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches when performing non-surgical gum treatments.

Whitening

Teeth whitening trays are a treatment you can use while in the comfort of your own home to gradually whiten teeth. We will first take an impression of your teeth to create a customized clear tray that you will wear to whiten your teeth. When you pick up your trays we will show you how to apply the special bleaching material to the trays and provide instructions on when and how long you should use the trays to achieve your desired results.

VELscope

When used in conjunction with traditional oral cancer examination procedures, VELscope facilitates the early discovery and visualization of mucosal abnormalities, including oral cancer. In one or two minutes, with no rinses or stains required, a VELscope system examination helps healthcare professionals assess their patients’ oral health.

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells placed on the tooth’s surface to enhance your smile. Because veneers look like real teeth, but can be custom made to change the color, size, shape, alignment and spacing of your teeth, the results are often dramatic.