Dr. Ember Courtney-Lima, DMD

Dr. Ember Courtney-Lima, 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 Vero Beach, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment extends beyond routine checkups, focusing on establishing personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health.

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. Dr. Ember DMD is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages. Please call (352) 235-9117 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Ember Courtney-Lima, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Vero Beach, FL, dedicated to providing comprehensive preventive dental care. Her practice prioritizes a patient-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of proactive oral health management. Dr. Ember DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Candidiasis of Mouth: Practicing preventive oral care, such as regular brushing and flossing, reduces your risk of developing candidiasis, a common but treatable infection.
• Misshapen Teeth: Misshapen teeth can sometimes indicate underlying developmental issues or genetic conditions, making early detection through regular dental checkups crucial for preventive care.
• Compulsive Cheek Biting: Protecting your oral health involves recognizing and addressing habits like compulsive cheek biting, as it can cause significant problems like gum disease and tooth loss if left unchecked.
• Fused Mandibular Incisors: Early detection of fused mandibular incisors allows for proactive dental care, potentially preventing future complications like decay or gum problems in the affected area.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or cavities, is preventable with good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and gums from serious damage.
• Vincent's Disease: Vincent's disease, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), is a severe gum infection that can be prevented with diligent oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, allowing for early detection and treatment before it worsens.
• Crooked Teeth: Untreated crooked teeth can lead to uneven wear and tear on your teeth, potentially resulting in more serious dental problems later on; proactive intervention is key.

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

• Dental Infection Treatment: Through prompt dental infection treatment, we can prevent the infection from impacting your overall well-being and potentially harming other organs.
• Pericoronitis: Pericoronitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue around a partially erupted tooth, is often identified during routine dental exams, enabling prompt treatment and pain relief.
• MAC Veneers™: Enhance your smile and safeguard your teeth with MAC Veneers™; this cosmetic treatment can improve your oral health by protecting vulnerable enamel from further wear and tear.
• Preventive Dental Care: Proactive preventive dental care means regular visits for checkups and cleanings to catch and treat problems early, safeguarding your oral health and contributing to your overall wellness.
• Clear Dental Braces: Invest in clear braces to address crooked teeth, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease from hard-to-clean areas.
• Dental Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant prevents the shifting of adjacent teeth and maintains the proper alignment of your bite.
• Temporormandibular (TM) Therapy: TMJ therapy helps identify and treat jaw joint problems, preventing future pain and discomfort.

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. Ember 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 diligently following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully maintained a healthy mouth, minimizing the risk of developing candidiasis. This proactive approach ensured a comfortable and confident smile, free from potential infection.
• Regular dental checkups allowed a young patient to identify potential misshapen teeth early, enabling proactive treatment and minimizing the risk of future orthodontic issues. This early intervention brought peace of mind and a positive outlook on their oral health journey.
• Recognizing and addressing their compulsive cheek biting early, a patient avoided the potential for gum disease and tooth loss, gaining peace of mind through a proactive oral health plan.

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. Ember DMD:

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

At Dr. Ember DMD, we recommend seeing your dentist and hygienist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This crucial preventive care helps remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, identifies cavities early, and screens 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 crucial step prevents cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is intrinsically linked 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 is crucial for maintaining optimal oral and systemic health.

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 (molars). They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seals out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up at Dr. Ember DMD. We will visually inspect your lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

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. Ember to see issues like cavities between teeth, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

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

963 37th Pl
Vero Beach FL 32960
Phone: (352) 235-9117

Dr. Ember Courtney-Lima, 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): 1831863810

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. Ember 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.