The Center for Advanced Dentistry Blog

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.

Make Regular Visits to The Center for Advanced Dentistry a Priority in 2012

January 5, 2012

With 2011 behind us and 2012 just a few days old, you may be thinking about what improvements you can make in your life. Two of the most popular resolutions out there are eating better and exercising more. These are great, but we’d also like to encourage our patients to keep their smile in mind. Make 2012 a banner year for your oral health by making regular visits to Dr. Hornstein’s Beachwood dental office a priority.

Why Are Regular Visits So Important?

Regular visits are important for two reasons.

First, seeing us often gives Dr. Hornstein a chance to look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer early, all of which can be more easily treated when found early.

Second, regular appointments let us give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning. Daily brushing and flossing at home are vital, but even an excellent at-home oral health regimen can only do so much. With our team’s experience and knowledge, we can help you achieve the optimal oral health you’ve dreamed of.

Ready to schedule your first appointment of 2012? Contact The Center for Advanced Dentistry. Dr. Hornstein serves patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.

Want a New Smile for the New Year? Try Invisalign from The Center for Advanced Dentistry!

December 22, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 11:17 am

As the new year approaches, are you considering ways to improve your life…and your smile? At the first of every new year, people make resolutions to get in shape, get more organized, and update their looks. If you’ve struggled with crooked teeth for a while, you know what damage it can do to your self-esteem, but there’s a fairly easy and painless way to change all of that with Invisalign clear aligners from Drs. Hornstein and Gray at The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood.

Our dentists consider themselves smile artists. They can fit you for Invisalign clear braces, which will slowly move your teeth into a straighter position without the hassle, discomfort, and unattractive look of traditional orthodontics.

Why choose Invisalign clear braces for your smile makeover from The Center for Advanced Dentistry?

  • Comfort: Traditional braces can irritate soft tissues in the mouth. Invisalign aligners are smooth, making for greater comfort.
  • Ease of hygiene: To clean your teeth and braces, you simply remove your aligner, allowing you to brush and floss normally as well as clean your orthodontic appliance.
  • Attractive: Because they’re clear, people will hardly notice your Invisalign aligners, and if you need to remove them to look your best for a big event, you have the freedom to do so!

Don’t let another year pass without getting the beautiful smile you deserve. Contact The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood today to discuss Invisalign clear orthodontics!

Dr. Hornstein Helps Patients Relieve Painful TMJ Dysfunction Symptoms with an Orthotic Appliance

December 12, 2011

Do you ever think about how the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back are connected to how your teeth fit together? Many don’t. But if you suffer from frequent neck, shoulder, or back pain, your smile may explain why.

If you have a misaligned bite, the joints that connect your jaw to your skull—known as your temporomandibular joints (TMJ)—might be overworked and stressed, resulting in other symptoms like:

  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Teeth grinding
  • Dizziness or ringing in your ear

The good news is that Dr. Hornstein can help patients treat TMJ dysfunction non-surgically with an orthotic appliance. An orthotic appliance is similar to a mouthguard in that it’s custom made for each patient by our lab and designed to correct the misalignment at the heart of your symptoms.

An orthotic appliance isn’t the only treatment option that Dr. Hornstein can recommend, though. To find out about all your options for treating TMJ dysfunction, call our Beachwood dental office today to schedule a consultation appointment. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.

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