Dr. Carissa Ramos-Cruz, DMD

Dr. Carissa Ramos-Cruz, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Pembroke Pines, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is committed to providing personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. Her General Preventive Dentistry services serve as your primary partner in lifelong oral health.

Dr. Carissa DMD's practice focuses on prevention, using evidence-based methods to create personalized strategies for each patient. She understands that proactive care is key to maintaining optimal oral and overall health, and she actively collaborates with her patients to achieve these goals. She serves all ages, and is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Carissa Ramos-Cruz, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Pembroke Pines, FL, and provides consultations primarily in English. Please call (954) 450-1303 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

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

• Cleft Lip and Palate: A proactive approach to cleft lip and palate, involving early diagnosis and specialized care, optimizes outcomes and reduces the risk of future dental and speech-related difficulties.
• Craniosynostosis - Arthrogryposis - Cleft Palate: Preventative care is vital for children with craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate; proactive management minimizes the risk of infections and malocclusion which can impact lifelong oral health.
• Papilloma: Catching oral papillomas early through routine dental exams can help prevent any discomfort or further development, emphasizing the significance of preventive dental care.
• Ectodermal Dysplasia With Natal Teeth, Turnpenny Type: Children born with this rare condition, ectodermal dysplasia with natal teeth (Turnpenny type), need regular dental checkups to manage the unique challenges it presents to oral health and prevent potential issues.
• Behçet's Disease: Because Behçet's Disease can cause recurrent mouth ulcers, proactive dental care is vital to minimize discomfort and potential long-term damage to your oral tissues.
• Receded Upper Jaw: Receding gums in your upper jaw can expose the roots of your teeth, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and prevention.
• Dry Tooth Socket: Early identification of risk factors, like smoking or poor oral hygiene, can help prevent a dry socket after tooth extraction, ensuring a smoother recovery and avoiding unnecessary discomfort.

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. Carissa DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances: Take proactive steps towards better sleep and oral health with a sleep apnea oral appliance assessment, which helps identify and manage this condition that can impact your breathing and overall well-being.
• Molar Endodontics: Early detection of infections in your molars is crucial; molar endodontics offers a solution to save your teeth and ensure long-lasting oral health.
• Extraction of Wisdom Tooth: Taking the proactive step of wisdom tooth extraction helps prevent future complications like cavities, gum disease, or cysts associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
• Root Canal Retreatment: This procedure helps identify and remove residual infection in a previously root-filled tooth, preventing future problems and ensuring the long-term health of your teeth.
• Nu Radiance® Teeth Whitening: Nu Radiance® Teeth Whitening helps you maintain a healthy, attractive smile, contributing to improved self-esteem and overall well-being.
• VELscope® Vx System: The VELscope® Vx System is a quick, painless screening that helps your dentist detect oral abnormalities like precancerous lesions and other potential health issues early, often before you notice any symptoms.
• Dental Care for Children and Adolescents: Ensure your adolescent's smile stays bright and healthy by proactively addressing any potential oral health concerns during routine dental care.

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. Carissa 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:

• A family was relieved to learn that early intervention for cleft lip and palate, guided by a proactive approach, significantly reduced the potential for future dental and speech challenges, fostering peace of mind.
• By proactively managing oral health needs, a family experienced fewer infections and minimized the risk of malocclusion, ensuring a brighter future for their child with craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate.
• By scheduling regular dental checkups, a patient caught oral papillomas early, preventing any discomfort and ensuring a proactive approach to their oral health. This early detection allowed them to focus on other aspects of their well-being, knowing their oral health was effectively managed.

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. Carissa DMD:

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

At Dr. Carissa DMD, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for checkups and cleanings. This helps remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, catch cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

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, more importantly, gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is profoundly connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is essential for maintaining optimal body health.

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. Carissa DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

What is a root canal and why is it needed?

A root canal is a procedure to save a tooth by removing the inflamed pulp and cleaning the inside of the tooth. It's not a painful procedure, but rather one that relieves pain and prevents the need for tooth extraction. The procedure seals the tooth, preserving its structure and function.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

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

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is an early, reversible stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Carissa 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.

601 NW 179th Ave Ste 101
Pembroke Pines FL 33029
Phone: (954) 450-1303

Dr. Carissa Ramos-Cruz, 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): 1013265453

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. Carissa 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.