Unavoidable Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why our doctors at Miami Dental may need to perform an extraction. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. This is why we emphasize the importance of oral hygiene during every patient visit. Wisdom teeth removal is the most common type of tooth extraction because these teeth can easily become infected if they do not emerge properly. Aside from wisdom teeth removal, other reasons for extractions may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, don’t wait any longer and give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our 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.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions: What to Expect

Many times, wisdom teeth – the third molars in the very back of your mouth – don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. These teeth that usually erupt during the ages of 16-20 can develop cavities, gum disease, and several other infections and lead to crowding when they can’t emerge. Even though wisdom teeth do not always require extraction, our staff at Miami Dental would like to encourage you to schedule a dental exam if you still have yours. We would also like to inform you on what to expect once wisdom teeth need to be extracted.

Wisdom teeth are spotted on X-rays. If not visible, they are impacted and risk erupting abnormally or being trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful. Before surgery, you will meet with one of our doctors to talk about the process as well as the type of anesthesia you may require. Depending on the type of anesthesia, you might even be able to return to work or do your normal activities after surgery. Most people have little to no pain after surgery, but you’re likely to have swelling and mild discomfort for three or so days.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, please give us a call. To learn more about tooth extractions as well as other 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.

Benefits of a Bright Smile

If you are embarrassed by yellow teeth and a not so aesthetically pleasing smile, then you should consider giving our doctors at Miami Dental a call. By providing our patients with teeth whitening and bleaching services, you can achieve the “Hollywood” look you’ve been dreaming of. Teeth whitening and bleaching are safe, quick, inexpensive, and you can lighten only your upper teeth, or both the upper and lower, while boosting your self-esteem in the process.

In addition to basic oral hygiene, teeth whitening and bleaching are just a few ways to achieve a bright smile. Dental bleaching can be used to correct many tooth discolorations that have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. At Miami Dental, using the latest bleaching technology, we can provide you with confidence and self-assurance, and a beautiful smile that makes you more comfortable in your own skin.

If you desire a brighter smile, please give us a call. To learn more about dental tooth whitening as well as other 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.

Stop Sensitive Teeth

Have you ever bit into an ice cream cone and were taken aback by a sharp shooting pain in your teeth? That’s one of the few symptoms of sensitive teeth and this happens when the gums pull back and expose the tooth surface beneath, called the dentin. Fortunately, our doctors at Miami Dental can offer you with a variety of treatment options, from dental sealants to fluoride treatments.

Tooth sensitivity can affect one or more teeth. It’s most common when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Your dentin is a soft layer that makes up the inner part of the tooth and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubules that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These channels allow the trigger – the characteristic of the food or beverage – to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel. Some at-home steps to take to reduce tooth sensitivity include brushing, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride and antiseptic mouthwash daily, and using toothpaste that is intended for sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as 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.

Eliminate Pesky Plaque

Do our staff at Miami Dental a favor and lick your teeth with your tongue. Do you feel something fuzzy? That fuzzy stuff is called plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on our teeth. Saliva, food, and fluids are what cause these deposits to collect on our teeth where they meet the gum line. Fighting plaque is a long-term commitment to practicing proper oral hygiene. This is why it’s important to control the situation before it turns into tartar (calculus), a crusty deposit that only our staff of hygienists is able to remove.

The buildup of plaque can trap stains on the teeth, and it also the primary factor for cavities and gum disease. It takes about four hours after we eat for plaque to accumulate and if it’s not removed promptly, these bacteria use ingredients found in our diet to grow into tartar. Tartar is a calcified or hardened plaque that attaches to the enamel on your teeth and below the gum line. We can guarantee that this is something to avoid. To prevent plaque buildup, schedule regular dental exams twice a year on top of brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing at least once a day.

If you have plaque buildup on your teeth and are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors or hygienists, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.

What is Scaling and Root Planing Used For?

If you dread the dental drill but have been told that you have gingivitis, it’s important that you take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. It is done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have tartar on them. Depending on the condition of the patient’s gums, the amount of tartar present, the depth of the pockets, and the progression of periodontitis, Dr. Ressler, Dr. Hirschl, or Dr. Lelchuk, may recommend scaling and root planing.

Scaling and root planing can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or a preventative measure and are commonly performed on cases of gingivitis and moderate to severe periodontal disease. The objective of this non-surgical procedure is to remove dental plaque and tartar, which causes gum inflammation. When scaling is performed, calculus and plaque that attaches to the tooth surfaces are removed. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root. Root planing is when the root of the tooth is literally smoothed, which promotes healing and also helps prevent bacteria from forming in the future. If treatment is successful, you’ll protect your teeth, reduce bad breath and have a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

To learn more about scaling and root planing 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 North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Special Needs Dentistry

Patients with special needs are those who due to physical, medical, developmental or cognitive conditions require special consideration when receiving dental treatment. If you have a loved one who suffers from a disability, it’s understandable why you may be concerned about their dental health. Fortunately, for those who cannot maintain or receive traditional dental care, Drs. Ressler, Hirschl and Lelchuk offer a compassionate, efficient environment for the patient.

Caring for a special needs patient takes empathy, patience, and understanding. Here at Miami Dental, our doctors can accommodate for these types of patients and focus on meeting their needs and working with their limitations. Patients who have trouble practicing oral hygiene may need to visit us more often to check for signs of dental problems while others require more attention during the appointment. Our goal is to treat our patients as if they are family. Therefore, we promise to make the dental care for your loved ones as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

To learn more about our special needs dentistry services as well as the general 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 North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.