The Fourth of July and Your Smile

July 6, 2012

The Fourth of July was on Wednesday, and from all of us at Dr. Hornstein’s Beachwood dental office, we hope you and your family had a safe and fun holiday.

And while we’re on the topic, we’d like to talk a little bit about freedom, which is what the Fourth is all about.

You already know how important freedom is. It’s what enables us to pursue our dreams and live according to our most deeply held beliefs. But in the context of dentistry, freedom is also about choosing the best dentist for your personal needs. That means finding a dentist who will not only provide excellent general dentistry services but will also make preventive and holistic dentistry a priority.

If that’s what you need, that’s what you’ll find at The Center for Advanced Dentistry. As we mentioned back in May, the goal of holistic dentistry is supporting and improving your overall wellbeing. When you do that, you improve your smile’s chances of staying healthy and strong. And with preventive checkups and cleanings, Dr. Hornstein can keep an eye on how your teeth are doing. Catching decay and gum disease early are important, and it’s through twice-yearly visits like these that we have a chance to catch them before they develop into a more serious problem.

Is it time for you to schedule your next regular exam or cleaning? We hope you’ll choose The Center for Advanced Dentistry. Call our Beachwood office today to schedule your appointment. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.

What Are Our Patients Saying About The Center for Advanced Dentistry?

June 21, 2012

At The Center for Advanced Dentistry, we know how nerve-wracking it can be to visit a new dental office for the first time. That’s why we have a page for patient testimonials that we’ve collected. With these quotes, we can begin building the kind of trust a doctor and his or her patients need to share, so that when you arrive at our Beachwood office, you’ll feel relaxed and confident in our team.

Below, you’ll find just one of our testimonials. To rest all of them, visit our patient testimonial page here.

Jack

If you think that all dentists’ office are the same or that their level of expertise and service is comparable, you are sorely mistaken. Never have I walked into an office and been given the kind of service that I got when I walked into The Center for Advanced Dentistry. Ben Hornstein and his team are the most professional, accommodating, and genuinely nice people that you will encounter in any office, anywhere. Ben’s vision of being the best is exemplified in his never ending search for up-to-the-minute technology, including digital imaging and customer service over and above the norm, which includes a massotherapist on the premises to massage you after extended time in his chair. His work goes way beyond meticulous and his attention to detail is second to none. I guess it is fair to say that my experience at the Center was far and above what I expected and the results even better.

Are you ready to schedule your appointment with Dr. Hornstein and The Center for Advanced Dentistry? Call our Beachwood dental office today. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.

What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

June 7, 2012

There’s a term you may have come across if you’ve visited our site before. It’s a term that sounds complicated but actually concerns a simple and common condition. We’re talking, of course, about neuromuscular dentistry.

What is it?

In short, neuromuscular dentistry looks at your jaw muscles, your jaw joints, and how your teeth fit together (also known as occlusion). When a problem occurs in one of these areas, the result can be painful symptoms like frequent headaches, neck or shoulder pain, ringing in the ears, and more.

The two conditions most commonly associated with neuromuscular dentistry are TMJ disorder and bruxism. But the good news for patients from Beachwood and surrounding areas is that both of these can be effectively treated. With the use of an orthotic appliance, Dr. Hornstein can deliver comfortable relief that will help you preserve your smile and reclaim your life.

Protect Your Smile with an Orthotic Appliance

An orthotic appliance is custom-made for your smile so that it fits comfortable over your teeth. They’re designed to correct your bite, bringing it into its natural alignment and easing strain on your joints and muscles.

Have you recently learned that you have a neuromuscular condition like TMJ disorder or bruxism? Call The Center for Advanced Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hornstein. During your appointment, Dr. Hornstein can talk to you about your situation and begin working on a treatment plan to help you save your smile and reclaim your life.

What Is Holistic Dentistry?

May 8, 2012

Dental health and overall health go hand-in-hand. That’s why Dr. Hornstein and the rest of the team at The Center for Advanced Dentistry place a strong emphasis on holistic dentistry. But what does that mean, exactly? What is holistic dentistry?

Holistic dentistry, and holistic medicine in general, promotes natural practices that benefit your entire wellbeing. So, for example, while custom-made oral appliances can effectively treat cases of bruxism and TMJ dysfunction, they don’t treat what is often the underlying cause—stress. But at The Center for Advanced Dentistry, we want to do both.

Which is why Dr. Hornstein promotes stress reduction through massage therapy. Our massage therapy options include:

  • Paraffin therapy
  • Reflexology massages
  • Chair massages
  • TMJ massages
  • Full body massages

Massage therapy isn’t all that our Beachwood office features, though. We also offer mercury free-fillings, biocompatibility testing, and nutrition information. With each one, we’re doing our part to ensure that our patients from Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond have healthy smiles and healthy bodies.

Do you have questions about any of these services or about holistic dentistry in general? Dr. Hornstein would be happy to answer your questions. Give us a call today. Our team would be happy to schedule a visit for you!

Early Oral Cancer Detection with VELscope

May 1, 2012

When you think of the word “cancer,” what comes to mind first? Is it oral cancer? Probably not. But oral cancer is as serious as any other form, and in some cases, much more serious. Oral cancer claims the life of one American every hour. What’s more, this year around 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of the disease.

All of which begs one question: why is the death rate for oral cancer so high?

Because many diagnoses aren’t made until it’s already in a late stage of development. But at The Center for Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Hornstein is helping to change that with VELscope.

VELscope is a unique cancer screening tool that uses fluorescent light to detect potentially cancerous tissue cells before they can be detected with just a simple oral exam. That means patients who have been diagnosed with VELscope can begin treatment sooner, when chances of recovery are higher.

How Does VELscope Work?

An oral cancer screening with VELscope takes just seconds to complete and is absolutely painless. During your screening, Dr. Hornstein will simply shine the VELscope light over the interior of your smile. Under this light, abnormal cells will look distinctly different from health tissue.

Is it time for you to schedule your next regular checkup and oral cancer exam? Call The Center for Advanced Dentistry today. Dr. Hornstein serves patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers—Two Popular Cosmetic Options for a Better Smile

March 27, 2012

For patients who’ve kept their smiles hidden because of low self-confidence, Dr. Hornstein has two great options for restoring confidence—porcelain veneers and Lumineers. Both are made from thin shells of porcelain and are designed to match the shade and shape of your smile. The difference is that porcelain veneers are intended to become a permanent part of your smile, while Lumineers may only be temporary.

Regardless of which you choose your procedure will start the same way—with a consultation appointment at The Center for Advanced Dentistry. During your consultation, Dr. Hornstein will have a chance to talk with you about the results you’re looking for, in addition to taking a close look at your teeth and gums.

Once Dr. Hornstein has an idea of what you’re looking for, a final recommendation can be made to help you decide which is most right for you. Porcelain veneers are permanent, and require preparation before they can be applied. Lumineers, on the other hand, are sometimes referred to as minimal prep veneers, because they require little to no preparation and can be removed later if you want to return to your natural smile. The one that’s most right for you will depend on your needs and what you want to get out of your new look.

If you’re curious about porcelain veneers and Lumineers but need help deciding between the two, call our Beachwood dental office to schedule a visit with Dr. Hornstein. We’d be happy to help you find your way and transform your smile.

Extra Protection for Smiles of All Ages with Dental Sealants

Some smiles need extra protection. This is especially the case with children who are just learning to brush, but even adults need a little help from time to time. Maybe your teeth are just more prone to decay, or you continue to have trouble with hard-to-reach areas. Whatever the reason, Dr. Benjamin Hornstein and our team at The Center for Advanced Dentistry can give your smile the extra protection it needs with dental sealants. Made from thin plastic film, dental sealants are great for back teeth, and are recommended by the American Dental Association.

The entire dental sealant process is fast, easy, and comfortable. Here’s how it works.

When you come in for a checkup, Dr. Hornstein will check your teeth for signs of decay. If, after your exam, we recommend dental sealants, we’ll first fill any cavities we find. Then, your teeth will be prepped with a special cleaning and etching solution. Once your mouth has been rinsed and dried, Dr. Hornstein will finish by coating your teeth with sealant and hardening it with a curing light.

To find out more about how you can protect your smile for up to 10 years with dental sealants, call our Beachwood dental practice today to schedule a visit. Dr. Hornstein would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.

A Leap Year May Happen Every Four Years, But Your Next Checkup with Dr. Hornstein Should Come Sooner Than That

February 27, 2012

What sets this year apart from other years? It’s a leap year, meaning that February has one more day than it normally does. But if leap years only happen every four years, something like a dental checkup should happen much more often than that. In fact, they should happen about every six months.

During a regular dental checkup with Dr. Hornstein, several important things can happen. First and foremost, dental checkups give us a chance to perform a thorough oral exam and cleaning. Second, we can help you plan for your future.

What does planning for your future look like?

In some cases, we may decide that your smile needs extra protection going forward, like the kind that dental sealants can provide. Or we may also recommend one of our cosmetic dentistry services, like porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers, your smile can have a brighter, more dazzling future.

We’ll talk more about these two great services over our next couple of posts. For now, we’ll just emphasize that, in addition to helping you keep your teeth clean, regular visits can help Dr. Hornstein steer your smile down a direction that will help it in the future.

If you’re ready to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Hornstein and the team at The Center for Advanced Dentistry, call our Beachwood dental office today to schedule an appointment.

A Valentine’s Day Reminder about the Oral Health-Heart Health Connection from The Center For Advanced Dentistry

February 10, 2012

With Valentine’s Day almost here, there’s no better time than now to bring up the connection between your head and your heart. Often, the heart, when it’s thought of at all, is pictured as something decorative. But the heart is a vital organ, and its wellbeing is at least partially dependant on the health of your smile.

Which is why regular visits to The Center for Advanced Dentistry are so important.

Regular visits with Dr. Hornstein give us the chance to check your teeth and gums for signs of gum disease, a condition which, if left untreated, makes it possible for bacteria and plaque to gain access to your bloodstream and, by extension, the rest of your body.

So, while you’re appreciating one side of the smile-heart connection on Valentine’s Day, we hope you’ll also keep in mind that other smile-heart connection that determines the health of both.

If you’re ready to schedule a visit for February, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Beachwood dental office. Dr. Hornstein would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the oral health-heart health connection.

Give us a call today! We serve patients Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pikes, and surrounding areas.

Save Your Smile with Root Canal Therapy from The Center For Advanced Dentistry

January 19, 2012

The words “root canal” often strike fear in the hearts of patients. But what many may not realize is that modern tools have made root canals more safe, effective, and relatively comfortable than ever before. And at Dr. Hornstein’s office, we can have your procedure fully completed in just two visits.

But first: why are root canals even necessary?

One of the primary reasons a root canal may be necessary is that a tooth has become infected from the inside. This can happen if your tooth has a fracture or has developed a large crack and, as a result, now has a deep cavity. Once this happens, a root canal is needed to save the tooth from dying.

During the first phase of your root canal procedure, Dr. Hornstein and our team will make sure you’re comfortable before removing the infection from your tooth and capping it with a temporary crown. Then, during your second visit, all we’ll need to do is switch out your temporary crown for one that will last you for years to come.

Please schedule a visit with The Center for Advanced Dentistry if you’d like to learn more about root canals and how we can help patients from Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas boost your oral health.