Retainer Options

If you’ve recently completed orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to protect your investment with a retainer. Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk offer two different kinds of retainer options to choose from and the type you decide on will depend on your needs and your preference. A removable retainer is designed for a patient who is disciplined enough to remember to wear it, while a fixed retainer is for a patient looking for a more permanent option.

• Removable Retainer – a removable retainer is the most common type, but depending on the individual, it may not always be the best choice. A removable retainer is crafted from a clear plastic that is formed by heat and a model of your teeth.  Removable retainers can be virtually invisible, and easy to wear.


• Fixed Retainer – also known as a bonded retainer, a fixed retainer consists of a wire being bonded to the back of the six bottom or top teeth. Bonded retainers tend to protect fewer teeth than removable retainers, but are ideal for the patient that may forget to wear his or her retainer at night.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment or retainer options, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Celebrate World Oral Health Day Everyday

World Oral Health Day is celebrated every year on the 20^th of March. The purpose of this international holiday is to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of oral health issues and the importance of good oral hygiene. Though this day has passed, here at the offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk we encourage patients to celebrate oral health day, every day, here’s a reminder of how you can maintain a healthy smile.

Oral health goes beyond aesthetics. Brushing and flossing the teeth doesn’t just keep pearly whites, white, it prevents oral health conditions such as periodontal disease and tooth decay. Maintaining a healthy mouth allows you to speak, smile, chew and taste, without pain or discomfort. Because numerous studies have linked oral health to overall health, it’s important to brush thoroughly for two minutes, twice a day, and floss at least once a day, in addition to visiting our office twice a year for a professional exam.

If you have questions or concerns about oral care or dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or the North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Research into Causes of Filling Failures

Patients at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach offices of Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk are assured of getting high-quality fillings to fix decayed and cracked teeth. But fillings sometimes fail early, and scientists have been trying to determine why that is. New research into filling failure published last November found some common factors.

The average lifespan of a filling is about ten years. But the study found that in men who smoke and people of both sexes who drank alcohol regularly, fillings had a higher risk of failing after just two years. This matches research showing that implant failures are more common in smokers. A more surprising result was that filling failures often run in families and may be linked to a certain genetic sequence.

When fillings are not replaced in time, they may provide bacteria with a new hiding place by making it harder for a toothbrush to reach certain areas. The new research shows why it is especially important for people who are at-risk to maintain regular check-ups, where we can assess their fillings’ vitality. The research also showed that we can rule out fillings’ construction material as a factor in early failure, meaning that the cosmetically-pleasing options don’t come at the price of worse oral health.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami-Dental.com through a contact form.

Sectioning during Extractions

When tooth extractions are unavoidable, the doctors of Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk carry out the procedure efficiently and with minimal discomfort for the patient. Some extractions, particularly of the wisdom teeth, require a tooth to be cut apart prior to removal, and we want our patients to better understand the procedure.

Wisdom teeth have large roots and are anchored by strong ligaments. They are often unable to erupt fully, leaving a part of them stuck below the gum line. Extractions are usually done by wiggling a tooth while elevating or pulling it, but this approach may not work with teeth that are firmly rooted or are at an angle that makes them difficult to move through a small opening. When this happens, we use a dental drill to cut into the tooth, dividing it into sections. This does not hurt the patient, who is already numb, and a steady stream of water is used to keep the extraction site cool. Once the sections are split up, they require less strength to pull and are more maneuverable. The patient may require sutures if any incisions were made, but the risk of damage to the ligaments has been reduced.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.