Dr. Alison Heusner, DMD

Dr. Alison Heusner, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist practicing at Lifetime Dentistry of Bradenton in Bradenton, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her dedication to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care centers on general preventive dentistry, serving as your primary partner in lifelong oral health. This includes creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (941) 233-8257 to schedule.

Dr. Alison DMD's focus on prevention stems from her commitment to evidence-based medicine and a collaborative approach to care. She is a knowledgeable and dedicated dental professional, committed to improving her patients' oral health through expert advice on proper brushing, flossing, cleaning, and maintaining healthy gums. She takes the time to educate her patients on the importance of good oral hygiene and helps them establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Dr. Heusner is fluent in German and also offers consultations in Spanish. She completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, and incorporates the latest technology into her practice to provide the best possible care. Her friendly and caring demeanor puts even the most nervous patients at ease. In her practice, she offers a full range of dental services, from routine check-ups and cleanings to more advanced procedures as needed. This supportive environment empowers patients to take an active role in their long-term health.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alison 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. Alison 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. Alison 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:

• Mouth Conditions: Addressing mouth conditions promptly can stop minor issues from escalating into major problems, saving you time, money, and discomfort.
• Canker Sore: Though often benign, recurring or unusually severe canker sores warrant a dental checkup to rule out any underlying oral health problems and prevent complications.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: Persistent bad taste might indicate gum disease or infection, highlighting the importance of proactive dental care to avoid more serious complications.
• Tooth Abscess: A tooth abscess is a painful infection at the root of a tooth, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and prevention of serious complications.
• Tooth Damage: Early detection of tooth damage through routine dental exams allows for less invasive treatment, preventing further decay and preserving your natural teeth.
• Chipped Tooth: Protecting your teeth from chipping through preventive measures like wearing a mouthguard during sports can significantly reduce your risk of future dental problems.
• Halitosis: Halitosis can be a warning sign of poor oral hygiene, prompting proactive steps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
• Tender Gums: Noticeable gum tenderness? Don't ignore it – early intervention is crucial for maintaining healthy gums and preventing infection.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a preventable infection that damages the gums and bone supporting your teeth, and early detection through regular checkups is key to preventing serious complications.
• Stained Teeth: While stained teeth may be a cosmetic concern, they can sometimes indicate underlying problems, highlighting the importance of proactive dental care.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Preventive care includes monitoring your jaw joint; a clicking sound is a potential sign of TMJ disorder that warrants an examination to prevent complications.
• Dental Disorders: Dental disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting your teeth and gums, and early detection through regular checkups can prevent serious problems and costly treatments.

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. Alison 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: Cosmetic procedures can enhance your smile's appearance, boosting your confidence and encouraging regular dental checkups.
• Dental Cleaning: Regular dental cleanings are a proactive step towards maintaining healthy gums and teeth, catching potential problems early.
• Dental Crown: A dental crown is a restorative procedure that protects a weakened or damaged tooth, serving as a proactive measure to prevent further complications and support long-term oral health.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Invest in your smile's future! Dental hygiene services provide essential cleanings and screenings to help detect and stop the progression of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Implant: Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed to replace missing teeth, providing a strong, stable foundation for long-term oral health and preventing further tooth loss.
• 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: Brighten your smile and boost your confidence with teeth whitening, a simple step towards maintaining overall oral health.
• 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. Alison 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:

• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventive plan, a family proactively managed potential mouth conditions, ensuring a healthy smile and overall well-being. This proactive approach reduced the risk of future dental problems and provided peace of mind.
• Knowing that recurring canker sores could signal a deeper issue, a patient proactively scheduled regular dental checkups. This proactive approach allowed for early detection and management, preventing further discomfort and potential complications.
• A patient experiencing a persistent bad taste in their mouth proactively sought dental care, leading to early detection and treatment of gum disease, preventing further complications and restoring their oral health.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Alison DMD:

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

Dr. Alison DMD recommends visiting for check-ups and cleanings every six months. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup, detect cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer, all vital for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which has links to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intricately linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining good 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. Alison DMD can assess your oral health to ensure you're a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, such as custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

What is TMJ disorder?

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. Alison DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Alison DMD can help with snoring and sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, she can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep. This is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seal out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

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

Lifetime Dentistry of Bradenton
10708 E State Road 64
Bradenton FL 34212
Phone: (941) 233-8257

Dr. Alison Heusner, 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): 1134407406

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. Alison 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.