Friday, February 12, 2010

Dental Health Tips - Flossing and Brushing

Maintaining a healthy mouth is an important facet of overall health, but doing so is a process that goes beyond regularly brushing. By following a few dental health tips, you can save yourself large amounts of hassle, time, and pain.

Brushing two to three times daily is a key component to maintaining excellent oral hygiene. It isn't all a gimmick to sell toothbrushes and toothpastes! Brushing frequently and properly dislodges food particles that can adhere to teeth, leading to plaque buildup. Brushing your teeth more than once a day also keeps your breath smelling fresh, especially if you do it right after meals. When brushing, be sure to go over each tooth surface multiple times, and monitor the force used. Brushing too hard can damage the gums and result in unnecessary bleeding.

Flossing provides a cornerstone to dental health, as teeth naturally have gaps between them where particles can become trapped. This can't always be addressed even with proper brushing, and sadly flossing is often the most neglected practice. Flossing twice a day can remove trapped particles and harmful bacteria, which can prevent gum disease, halitosis, and other dental complications. Working flossing into your regular dental routine might be a little awkward initially if it's a new thing, but the benefits are immeasurable.

For more information, visit Aventura Dentist, Dr. Howard Hoffman.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Miami Teeth Whitening by Dr. Howard Hoffman

In spite of your best efforts to take care of your teeth, sometimes they can develop discoloration and staining. In these cases, teeth whitening can help restore your brilliant, white smile.

What are some of the causes of tooth staining?

The most common causes of stained teeth are dietary. Foods and beverages that can stain your teeth include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Wine
  • Dark-colored fruits and vegetables

Smoking is also a common culprit for staining of the teeth. The best way to prevent your teeth from becoming severely stained is to avoid smoking and any foods that can cause staining.

The Teeth Whitening Process

Miami teeth whitening can be done at home, with gels or toothpastes available in your grocery store or drug store. However, the results from these home whitening systems are neither as effective or as long-lasting as treatments available from Dr. Howard Hoffman's dental office.

Teeth whitening at Dr. Hoffman's dental office is simple and painless. Gel is painted on your teeth, similar to that used in at-home treatments, but this gel is much stronger. Most in-office whitening gels must be activated with a special light. The gel is left on the teeth for about twenty minutes or so, then the process is repeated. The full treatment usually takes about an hour.

In cases where staining is particularly stubborn, Dr. Hoffman might choose to give you a take-home kit with mouthpieces to be filled with a whitening substance. Wear these for a certain period of time, as instructed by Dr. Hoffman, and your teeth will soon be bright and shining again!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Miami Porcelain Veneers


Porcelain Veneers



Porcelain veneers are paper thin shells made of porcelain that are affixed to the front surface of the teeth with a special adhesive. Custom-made to match the shape and color of your teeth, porcelain veneers can correct a number of issues that might bother you about your smile including:

  • Discoloration
  • Slight misalignment
  • Cracked or chipped teeth
  • Small gaps between the teeth


Application of porcelain veneers is a relatively simple process. First, the cosmetic dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth to make room for the veneers. This can often be done without anesthetic, as the amount of enamel to be removed is so small. Then the dentist makes a mold of your teeth from which the veneers are custom-made in a lab. Temporary veneers are affixed to protect your teeth until the final veneers arrive from the lab.

After the permanent veneers are constructed, you return to the dentist to have the temporary veneers removed. The custom-made porcelain veneers are then affixed to your teeth with a special adhesive that bonds with the surface of your tooth. Although the veneers are extremely thin and fragile, when they bond to your teeth they become hard and durable.

Porcelain veneers in Miami can keep your smile bright and perfect for many years if properly cared for. Consult with your Miami porcelain veneers dentist about the best kind of toothpastes to use, and always let dental hygienists know you have veneers before they clean your teeth.



Monday, November 16, 2009

Miami Invisalign Dentist Dr. Howard Hoffman

Braces are often thought of as a rite of passage for teenagers, but more and more adults choose to have orthodontic work done to correct their bite or simply to beautify their smile. Using the Invisalign teeth straightening system makes this process much more palatable for most adults, as it is nearly invisible.

Instead of using metal pieces glued to the teeth with rubber bands to move the teeth, the Invisalign system works with a series of custom-made plastic trays. Dr. Howard Hoffman makes detailed models of your teeth and determines where the teeth should be through several phases of movement. The trays are then constructed to fit the shape of your teeth so that they are moved very slightly as each tray is used, until they are positioned for the next tray in the series.

Invisalign trays can be removed to eat or for special occasions. They are made of clear plastic, and fit so snugly to the teeth that they are very difficult to see. Most people won't even know you're undergoing any kind of orthodontic procedure.

Invisalign is best suited for fairly minor corrections to the bite and position of the teeth. For major realignment, traditional braces may still be the most efficient choice for you. Make an appointment with Dr. Hoffman, to talk about Invisalign if you have minor problems with your bite or if your teeth are slightly out of position. Miami Invisalign just might be what you need to give yourself that perfect, beautiful smile you've always dreamed of!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Miami Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Howard Hoffman

Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. Whether you have a big, confident grin, or a tight-lipped, self-conscious grimace, your smile and the health of your teeth let people know whether you are someone who cares about the details, or if you tend to let things slip. Studies show that people who are attractive make more money and are hired more frequently that people who are less attractive. A beautiful smile can make all the difference. A reputable cosmetic dentist can give you a smile you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.

Not all dentists are cosmetic dentists. Cosmetic dentistry requires years of additional training and expertise. Don't let your regular dentist or a dental clinic convince you that they can perform cosmetic dentistry. Use a reputable Miami cosmetic dentist.

Miami cosmetic dentists offer many options for any stage of life. If you are a young adult and your parents couldn't afford to take care of your teeth, or if you are in the prime of life and want more confidence, or perhaps you are a bit older and can start taking care of yourself instead of everyone else, Miami's cosmetic dentistry can help turn your lackluster smile into a dazzling array of confidence and poise. From changing dark, metal fillings to white porcelain to a full reconstruction, a Miami cosmetic dentist can correct small imperfections to genetic defects.

If you simply have some gaps or spaces between your teeth, your teeth are unusually small, or you have some chips or cracks, simple bonding may be all that is necessary. Bonding is a process that uses a resin to correct structural or cosmetic problems. Similar to a sculptor's clay, bonding can be used to reshape or recolor defective teeth. Bonding can run as little as $300 per tooth and can last up to 11 years. Insurance may pay for bonding done by a Miami cosmetic dentist if it is done for structural purposes.

For longer lasting results, you might want to consider veneers. There are now several types of veneers that you can get with a Miami cosmetic dentist. From the less expensive composite veneers, which run about $250 per tooth but only last 5 - 7 years, to newer more durable Lumineer porcelain veneers, which run from about $700 - $1000 per tooth, this option can dramatically enhance your smile, attitude and life. Veneers are thin sheets of material that fit over the front of your natural teeth. Veneers are similar to crowns, but crowns require the Miami cosmetic dentist to remove more of the outer layer of your natural tooth. The crown or cap is then applied over the entire tooth, whereas a veneer is simply applied to the front of the tooth. Veneers can correct teeth that are misshapen, crooked, discolored, or have pits, holes, or cracks. Insurance rarely covers veneers unless they are used to correct structural deformities.

There are other options if you need more than just bonding or veneers. A visit with a Miami cosmetic dentist can mean the beginning of a whole new life.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Miami Cosmetic Dentist



As a Miami cosmetic dentist, Dr. Howard Hoffman believes that the way you feel about yourself is reflected in how you present yourself. A healthy, beautiful smile enhances your appearance and let's your confidence and passion shine through to the world. If you constantly hide your smile, you aren't portraying the person you know is hidden inside.

Thanks to advancements in cosmetic dentistry, you can dramatically improve your smile with fast, painless and affordable treatments.

Some smiles need extensive treatment while others require only a touch-up. Dr. Hoffman offers a complete range of treatments, ensuring you walk out of his office confident and happy that you have your best smile ever.

With Miami cosmetic dentist treatments, we can:

• Alter the shape, size and alignment of your teeth
• Brighten the existing color of your teeth
• Correct spacing in between your teeth
• Correct your bite and jaw alignment
• Fix previous dental treatments
• Repair broken, chipped or cracked teeth

Give Dr. Howard Hoffman a call today and let him create the smile you deserve.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Miami Tooth Implant Dentist


Implant Dentistry in Miami, FL

Dental implants make it possible to create healthy, attractive smiles in a new innovative way. Replacing one or more missing teeth, implants are an alternative to conventional bridges or dentures. Dental implants act and look like natural teeth. And, because they maintain bone mass, implants can help prevent additional loss of a tooth as well as the facial appearance from missing teeth.

Every implant is made of a biocompatible titanium screw and post topped by a crown, denture or bridge. The tooth implant is placed by the Miami tooth implant dentist surgically into the jawbone where it replaces the original tooth root. Within a few months, the tooth implant attaches to the, allowing it to withstand biting and chewing forces just like your healthy, natural teeth.

Contact the Miami Implant Dentistry at (305) 933-3070.