Dr. Alan Heap, DMD

Dr. Alan Heap, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. He practices at Metrowest Family Dentistry in Orlando, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Preventive Dentistry serves as your primary partner in lifelong oral health, creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (941) 293-0329 to schedule.

Dr. Alan Heap, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Orlando, FL. He is accepting new patients. His focus is firmly rooted in prevention, recognizing that proactive care is crucial for maintaining optimal oral and systemic health. He understands that preventative measures are not merely about avoiding dental problems, but about safeguarding overall well-being. He works with patients of all ages to develop personalized strategies for preventing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Dr. Alan DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alan DMD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alan DMD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alan DMD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Tender Gums: Tender gums are a warning sign that needs attention; addressing the issue early can help avoid costly and painful dental treatments later.
• Tooth Discoloration: Tooth discoloration can be an early warning sign of underlying oral health issues, so addressing it promptly helps prevent more serious problems.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Don't ignore jaw clicking – it might signal TMJ trouble. Early detection and management with your dentist will help you prevent future jaw pain and dysfunction.
• Tooth Damage: Tooth damage, like cavities or cracks, can be prevented with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, reducing the need for costly and extensive repairs later.
• Tooth Loss: Early detection of gum disease and cavities through routine dental visits can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing tooth loss later in life.
• Mouth Conditions: Regular dental visits and proactive oral care are vital for preventing and managing various mouth conditions, minimizing their impact on your systemic health.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Dental Disorders: Addressing dental disorders promptly helps stop minor issues from becoming major health concerns, impacting not only your smile but also your overall well-being.
• Sensitive Teeth: Experiencing sensitive teeth? Addressing this early can help avoid more serious dental problems like cavities and gum disease.
• Grinding of Teeth: Protecting your teeth from the damage caused by teeth grinding is vital for preventing costly and painful dental work down the line; talking to your dentist is the first step.
• Dental Trauma: Proper management of dental trauma, including prompt professional care, minimizes the chance of tooth loss, jaw fractures, or other severe consequences.
• Canker Sore: Early detection of unusually large, painful, or persistent canker sores is crucial, as it could indicate a more serious underlying medical condition.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alan DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings are a durable way to restore teeth damaged by decay, proactively preventing further infection and preserving your natural smile.
• Cosmetic Procedure: While primarily aesthetic, cosmetic dentistry can sometimes uncover underlying dental issues during the process, leading to early intervention.
• Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with professional dental cleanings, which screen for early signs of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Crown: Investing in a dental crown can prevent the loss of a tooth and help maintain a healthy, functional bite by protecting a compromised tooth from further damage.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent costly dental work down the line with routine dental hygiene services—a small investment with huge returns for your smile.
• Dental Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant prevents the shifting of adjacent teeth and maintains the proper alignment of your bite.
• Root Canal: A root canal helps save a severely infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and preventing further infection or tooth loss, preserving your natural smile.
• Teeth Whitening: Take proactive steps to improve your smile's appearance and protect your teeth from future damage with professional teeth whitening.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Tooth-conserving dentistry focuses on preserving your natural teeth through early detection and treatment of dental problems, preventing the need for more extensive procedures later.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Preventive Dentistry Services in Florida.

Dr. Alan DMD is dedicated to partnering with Dental Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Recognizing early signs of tender gums and following a proactive dental care plan, a patient avoided more extensive and costly dental procedures, maintaining a healthy and confident smile.
• Recognizing that tooth discoloration could signal deeper oral health concerns, a patient proactively sought professional guidance. Early intervention, through a tailored preventive plan, ensured the patient maintained a healthy smile and prevented more significant issues.
• By addressing jaw clicking promptly with preventative dental care, a patient avoided future TMJ pain and dysfunction, gaining peace of mind and a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Dental care with Dr. Alan DMD:

How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning?

At Dr. Alan DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup, which brushing alone can't, and detect cavities early. Regular check-ups also screen for gum disease and oral cancer, crucial for maintaining optimal oral health.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar, which only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, a significant risk factor for other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining excellent oral and overall body health.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Alan DMD can assess your oral health to determine if you are a good candidate for whitening and offer professional-grade treatments, such as custom trays or in-office procedures, that provide better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the teeth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Alan DMD is needed to determine the specific cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Alan DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from teeth grinding.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Yes, modern digital dental X-rays are very safe, using extremely low levels of radiation. They allow Dr. Alan DMD to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Alan DMD can help with mild to moderate sleep apnea. For some patients, we create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep, offering a comfortable alternative to CPAP. We can evaluate your specific needs to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option.

Metrowest Family Dentistry
2295 S Hiawassee Rd Ste 216
Orlando FL 32835
Phone: (941) 293-0329

Dr. Alan Heap, DMD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1215027552

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Preventive Dentistry Services like Dr. Alan DMD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your preventive dentistry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.