Dr. David Hanna, DMD

Dr. David Hanna, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. He practices at his clinic in Defuniak Springs, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under 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 and fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Hanna welcomes all ages to begin their proactive health journey and encourages you to call (850) 892-0866 to schedule an appointment. He is a family practice dentist passionate about providing the highest quality of care, rooted in leading academic principles and techniques. Dr. Hanna graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 2016, after earning a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Georgia. He further specialized through fellowship training in Implant Pathway Dental Implant Continuum, becoming a Fellow, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FCIOI). He provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Dental Trauma: Taking preventive steps like wearing a mouthguard helps safeguard your teeth from trauma, protecting your smile and overall oral health.
• Dental Injury: Early detection of dental injuries, even minor ones, is crucial to prevent more serious complications like infections or nerve damage, safeguarding your long-term oral health.
• Tooth Malformation: Addressing tooth malformation proactively through dental interventions can prevent future issues such as increased susceptibility to decay, gum disease, and jaw pain, underscoring the importance of managing risk factors.
• Grinding of Teeth: Teeth grinding puts excessive pressure on your jaw and teeth, potentially causing damage and pain; proactive management through stress reduction or mouthguards protects your oral health.
• Cavity: Catching cavities early through regular checkups and cleanings helps prevent larger, more painful problems down the line and keeps your teeth healthy longer.
• Tender Gums: Protecting your gums from tenderness is key to preventing gum disease, which can impact your overall health.
• Swollen Gums: Swollen gums are a warning sign that your oral health needs attention; addressing it promptly prevents long-term complications like periodontitis.
• Tooth Attrition: Managing tooth attrition involves proactive measures like adjusting your brushing technique and using fluoride toothpaste to minimize further enamel loss and protect against sensitivity.
• Receding Gums: Early detection of receding gums is crucial; addressing this issue early helps prevent tooth loss and potential systemic health problems.
• Tooth Discoloration: Early intervention for tooth discoloration can help prevent the need for more extensive and costly treatments down the line, saving you both time and money.
• Dental Disorders: Regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection and management of dental disorders, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further damage and improve long-term oral health.
• Tooth Damage: Addressing tooth damage promptly prevents complications like gum disease or infection that can affect your overall health, highlighting the importance of preventative dentistry.

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

• Cosmetic Procedure: While primarily aesthetic, cosmetic dentistry can sometimes uncover underlying dental issues during the process, leading to early intervention.
• Teeth Scaling: Regular teeth scaling is a simple yet effective way to detect and address early signs of periodontal disease, improving your overall health.
• Dental Cleaning: Regular dental cleanings are a proactive step towards maintaining healthy gums and teeth, catching potential problems early.
• Dental Filling: A dental filling is a proactive way to repair a cavity and prevent further tooth decay, protecting your smile and overall oral health.
• Denture Repair: Regular denture repair is a proactive step to preserve the health of your gums and jawbone, promoting overall oral health.
• Root Canal: Root canal treatment is a vital step in preventing the spread of infection from a severely damaged tooth to other areas of your mouth and body, promoting overall well-being.
• Porcelain Veneers: As a proactive measure for improving your smile and protecting your teeth, porcelain veneers offer a long-term solution to enhance your confidence and maintain healthy teeth.
• Amalgam Filling Removal: This procedure helps maintain the structural integrity of your teeth, preventing future complications like root canals or tooth loss, contributing to long-term oral health.
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Securely replace missing teeth and enhance your chewing function and oral health with implant-supported dentures, a reliable long-term solution that helps prevent further dental problems.
• Ceramic Dental Crowns: Protect your smile and strengthen your teeth with a ceramic crown, a proactive step to prevent further damage and maintain strong, healthy teeth.
• 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.
• Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Take a proactive step towards better oral health with an ultrasonic cleaning; it's a thorough cleaning that helps detect early signs of gum disease and cavities.

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. David 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 proactively wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard during sports, a young athlete avoided dental trauma and maintained a healthy, confident smile.
• By attending regular checkups and proactively addressing minor chips, a family avoided more serious dental issues, ensuring a healthier, more confident smile for years to come.
• By addressing potential tooth malformation early through regular checkups and guidance, a family gained peace of mind, knowing they were proactively managing their oral health and reducing the risk of future dental problems.

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. David DMD:

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

At Dr. David DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our dental team to remove tartar buildup that daily brushing can't, detect 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, 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 intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining optimal oral and overall health.

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

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

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

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, that seals out food and plaque, preventing 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 gingivitis isn't treated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

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. David DMD is needed to determine the specific cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

746 Baldwin Ave
Defuniak Springs FL 32435
Phone: (850) 892-0866

Dr. David Hanna, 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): 1194177998

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. David 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.