Oral Care Reminders from The Center for Advanced Dentistry

September 21, 2012

Even if you’ve been to the dentist just once in your life, you know that sugary foods and drinks are bad for your teeth. But do you know why that is?

The simple truth is that it’s not the sugar per se but the chemical reaction that happens between the sugar and the bacteria in your mouth. As bacteria metabolize sugar, the byproduct is acid. When this acid comes into contact with the enamel on your teeth, it has a destructive influence. As a result, teeth are left weakened and exposed to the possibility of experiencing decay.

Fluoride helps strengthen teeth by attracting important minerals, but some patients aren’t getting as much fluoride as they used to or need to. Thanks to the popularity of bottled water today, many patients are drinking non-fluoridated water every day, depriving their teeth of essential protection.

So, how can you protect your smile?

The first way is through regular maintenance at home. Brush and floss after every meal if you can. If you can’t do that, try rinsing your mouth with water between meals. Chewing a sugar-less gum sweetened with xylitol can also help, and you may also want to use a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your teeth.

Regular checkups are also important.  Remember to schedule one every six months, or about twice a year. During a regular checkup, Dr. Hornstein and the rest of our team at The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood can thoroughly examine your smile and look for signs of decay. If we find any sign of trouble, we can create a treatment plan to help you combat it before it develops into a serious problem.

Call our office today to schedule next appointment. The Center for Advanced Dentistry serves patients from Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.

Now Is Not Too Early for Your Fall Checkup

September 7, 2012

Fall starts on Saturday, September 22. That means a new season, and the cooler weather that comes with it, is on the way. It also means the arrival of the holiday season, a joyful but notoriously hectic time for most of us.

Given both of these statements, your next dental visit is probably the last thing on your mind. But despite that, now is actually the perfect time to get your fall visit out of the way, especially if your last checkup with The Center for Advanced Dentistry was in January or February.

When you consider how important rich, decadent foods are to the holiday season, don’t you want to enjoy all that you can without letting thoughts about your oral health hold you back? With your regular checkup and cleaning, Dr. Hornstein can tell you where you stand and, if need be, offer restorative or cosmetic therapies that will help you get your smile into great shape just in time for all the fun.

What’s more, if you’re like many patients, you have dental benefits that will expire at the end of the year. By coming to see us sooner rather than later, we can help you apply those benefits to the essential care you need now instead of later next year.

Call The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood today to schedule your fall checkup. During your checkup, Dr. Hornstein will complete a thorough oral exam and help you understand how your smile is doing. And if we need to, our team would be happy to talk to you about brushing and floss, in addition to recommending additional services. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.

Time for a Back-to-School Visit!

August 8, 2012

We’re only a week into August but a new school year is just around the corner, which raises an important question: have you brought your son or daughter into The Center for Advanced Dentistry for a back-to-school checkup yet? If you haven’t, why not schedule an appointment today? We know how busy life can get once school has started, so don’t wait—call Dr. Hornstein’s Beachwood dental office today!

Why Are Back-to-School Visits So Important?

As we already mentioned, once school gets started life can get pretty busy. But putting off important dental visits won’t put common oral health problems like tooth decay or gum disease on hold. If your child has any of these, they’ll only get worse as more time passes.

During a regular, back-to-school checkup, though, Dr. Hornstein can look for signs of these common conditions and can treat them now, before they require more extensive treatment.

What’s more, during your child’s visit, Dr. Hornstein can offer him or her extra protection from cavities with dental sealants. Recognized by the ADA as an effective cavity-prevention tool, dental sealants work by shielding chewing surfaces from decay. You can learn more by visiting our dental sealants page here.

And if you’re ready to schedule your child’s back-to-school visit, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Creating healthy smiles for patients from Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond is our passion. We look forward to hearing from you!

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.