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.

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.

Keep Your Smile in Mind As You Celebrate This Holiday Season

November 29, 2011

It’s been almost a full week since Thanksgiving, but as you know, the holiday season is far from over. With Christmas and New Year’s just around the corner, we’re entering a time of almost nonstop holiday goodies and parties. And while we don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, we also don’t want you to forget about your smile.

Treats like candy canes, cookies, and pie are all filled with sugar, which fuels the transformation of bacteria in plaque. So, while we want you to enjoy everything the season has to offer, consider these two suggestions.

First, keep on brushing and flossing like you normally would. By brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing thoroughly, and spending a few minutes gargling a quality mouthwash, you’re doing your part to keep bacteria and plaque from building up on your teeth and gums.

Second, follow up your meals with gum or mints sweetened with xylitol. Even though it’s a natural sugar, xylitol can help you fight cavities by improving your mouth’s pH level and making it harder for bacteria and plaque to stick to your teeth.

Want to learn more about how xylitol can benefit your smile? Click here.

And if you’d like to know what else you can do this holiday season to protect your smile, give our Beachwood office a call. Dr. Hornstein can make a few helpful suggestions, in addition to checking your smile for signs of tooth decay and gum disease—common problems that can be easily treated when found early.

Give us a call today. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.

Smile Makeover, Part 2: How Can I Have Straighter Teeth?

October 14, 2011

Our last post introduced what we call “smile makeovers.” Today, we’ll spend a little time talking about one service that’s making smile makeovers easier and more convenient.

The Differences Between Braces and Invisalign Clear Braces

While traditional braces and braces from Invisalign can help you achieve the same results, they do so in very different ways. Traditional braces use brackets and wires to gradually shift your teeth into place. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses clear, custom-made acrylic trays.

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