Dr. Gerard Wasselle, DMD

Dr. Gerard Wasselle, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. He practices at his clinic in Fort Lauderdale, 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, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Wasselle, a highly experienced practitioner with over 30 years in the field, earned his DMD from the University of Florida, College of Dentistry in 1992. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (954) 928-1666 to schedule. Dr. Gerard DMD provides consultations primarily in English. Excellence in Dentistry is what Dr. Wasselle provides for your entire family, from preventative care, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, implants, fillings, extractions, and clear aligners (braces). He performs most procedures in-office with expertise and care, using the latest technologies and training to forge a partnership with you to restore and maintain your oral health for a lifetime. Acknowledging that the health of your mouth relates to the health of the whole person, Dr. Wasselle is here to help you achieve a smile that is not only beautiful but also healthy. Your comfort is our top priority. When you walk through our door, you will be greeted by our friendly staff in a relaxed and stress-free environment.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Gerard 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. Gerard 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. Gerard 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 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.
• Tooth Displacement: Protecting your teeth from displacement, whether through accident prevention or prompt treatment, is crucial for maintaining your overall oral health and preventing infection.
• Chipped Tooth: A chipped tooth, even a small one, can be a sign of underlying issues and should be checked by a dentist to prevent infection or further damage.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease is a chronic condition, but regular dental visits and proper at-home care can help manage the disease and prevent its progression.
• Broken Tooth: Preventing a broken tooth from becoming a bigger problem starts with protecting your teeth from injury through habits like wearing a mouthguard during sports and avoiding hard candies. Early intervention is key.
• 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.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Tooth Pulp Inflammation: Ignoring the warning signs of tooth pulp inflammation can lead to irreversible damage, emphasizing the need for proactive oral health management and prompt dental care.
• Loose Teeth: Preventing serious dental issues starts with noticing changes like loose teeth. Schedule a visit with your dentist to determine the cause and receive preventive treatment.
• Cavity: Catching cavities early through regular checkups and cleanings helps prevent larger, more painful problems down the line and keeps your teeth healthy longer.
• 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 Malformation: Early detection of tooth malformation is key to preventing complications like misaligned bites, difficulty chewing, and potential speech impediments, emphasizing the role of preventive 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. Gerard DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Simple Tooth Extractions: Taking the proactive step of a simple tooth extraction can prevent further complications like gum disease or jawbone damage caused by a severely decayed or infected tooth.
• Dental Bridge: A dental bridge is a proactive way to replace missing teeth, preventing further tooth shifting and jawbone deterioration.
• Porcelain Veneers: Enhance your smile and protect your teeth from future decay with porcelain veneers, a proactive step in maintaining your overall oral health and preventing further damage.
• Teeth Scaling: Teeth scaling is a professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping prevent cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Root Canal: By addressing severe inflammation and infection within the tooth's root, root canal therapy significantly reduces the risk of painful complications like abscesses and prevents future dental issues.
• Restoration of Dental Implants: Protecting your investment in dental implants involves regular restoration appointments to detect and treat minor problems before they become major concerns.
• Teeth Whitening: Take proactive steps to improve your smile's appearance and protect your teeth from future damage with professional teeth whitening.
• 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.
• 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 Onlay: Strengthening a compromised tooth and preventing future complications, a dental onlay serves as a proactive measure in maintaining your overall oral health and preventing tooth loss.
• Composite Fillings: Protect your teeth from the further spread of decay by proactively addressing cavities with composite fillings – a safe and effective restorative option.
• Root Planing: Take control of your oral health with root planing—a procedure that addresses gum disease early on, preventing the need for more extensive treatments in the future and supporting overall health.

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. Gerard 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 scheduling regular checkups and cleanings, a family proactively addressed potential dental issues, ensuring a healthy smile and overall well-being for years to come. Early intervention prevented minor problems from escalating into more serious concerns.
• By proactively addressing potential risks and following a personalized preventive plan, a family gained peace of mind, knowing they were safeguarding their teeth from displacement and preserving their overall oral health.
• A patient noticed a small chip in their tooth and, with preventive dentistry guidance, received prompt care, avoiding the risk of further damage and potential infection. This proactive approach ensured a healthy smile and peace of mind.

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. Gerard DMD:

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

Dr. Gerard DMD recommends seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. 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, importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems.

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 essential for maintaining optimal body health.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Gerard DMD can help with sleep-disordered breathing. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we 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 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. Gerard DMD is needed to determine the cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

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, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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 implants?

Dental implants are the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. They are titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots, which are then topped with a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of adjacent teeth.

2480 E Commercial Blvd Ste 2
Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
Phone: (954) 928-1666

Dr. Gerard Wasselle, 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): 1346466075

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. Gerard 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.