Dr. Hank Barreto, DMD

Dr. Hank Barreto, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care at his Coral Gables, FL clinic. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he serves as your primary partner in lifelong oral 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. He is committed to fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes patient education and active participation in their own well-being.

Dr. Barreto, a third-generation dentist with over twenty years of experience, understands the unique needs of each patient. A graduate of Rutgers University and the Farleigh Dickenson School of Dentistry, he furthered his expertise with advanced post-graduate training from the Pankey Institute. His extensive background includes memberships in the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and recognition as America's Top Dentist since 2003. He approaches oral health as an integral part of total body wellness, utilizing biocompatible materials and techniques to achieve optimal results. Dr. Hank DMD is currently welcoming new patients of all ages to embark on their proactive health journey. Call (305) 271-8321 to schedule an appointment. He offers consultations in Spanish. His care philosophy: "Kick up your heels. Take a walk. Go dancing. Smile. It's your life, and it is worth celebrating."

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

• Tooth Abscess: Catching and treating gum disease early is essential, as untreated gum disease is a major risk factor for developing a tooth abscess requiring potentially extensive dental treatment.
• Receding Gums: Manage receding gums proactively to avoid further gum disease progression, preserving your natural teeth and reducing the risk of complications.
• Orofacial Pain: Experiencing orofacial pain? Don't ignore it; prompt evaluation can help identify the root cause and prevent further issues impacting your oral health and overall well-being.
• Canker Sore: While most canker sores heal on their own, paying attention to their frequency and severity helps identify potential nutritional deficiencies or stress factors impacting your oral health.
• Burning Mouth Syndrome: Prevent worsening discomfort from burning mouth syndrome by practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular visits with your dentist for early identification and treatment.
• Halitosis: Halitosis, or bad breath, can be a sign of underlying oral health issues like gum disease or cavities, so addressing it early helps prevent more serious 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.
• Tooth Decay: Catching tooth decay early through regular dental checkups can prevent painful cavities, fillings, and more extensive treatments down the line.
• Dental Injury: Managing dental injuries promptly through professional care can reduce the need for extensive restorative work later, protecting your smile and preventing complications.
• Tooth Decay Caused by Acid Attack: Managing acid exposure through a healthy diet and good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities and other oral health problems.
• Mouth Ulcer: Chronic mouth ulcers can sometimes signal more serious conditions; proactive oral health maintenance helps identify these issues early.
• Oral Infection: Oral infections, if left untreated, can lead to more severe problems, emphasizing the importance of proactive dental hygiene and professional care.

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

• Dental Inlays: Take charge of your oral health with dental inlays; they're a conservative approach to repairing teeth and avoiding more invasive treatments like crowns.
• Dental Sealant: Take a proactive step towards lifelong oral health with dental sealants; these protective coatings prevent cavities from forming on the grooves of your back teeth.
• Root Planing: As a proactive step in maintaining strong teeth and healthy gums, root planing targets the areas beneath the gum line where bacteria causing gum disease can thrive.
• Dental Onlay: To proactively maintain strong teeth, a dental onlay can be used to repair a significantly damaged tooth surface, preventing further decay and preserving your natural tooth structure.
• Mouthguards: Reduce your risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and related pain by wearing a mouthguard to minimize jaw clenching.
• Implant-Supported Crown: As part of your proactive approach to dental wellness, an implant-supported crown helps restore your natural smile, supporting your jaw's health and preventing issues with adjacent teeth.
• Full Mouth Reconstruction: A full mouth reconstruction helps identify and address underlying oral health issues, such as decay, gum disease, and bite problems, improving your overall well-being.
• MDI Mini Dental Implant: An MDI Mini Dental Implant is a small, but mighty, implant that can help secure dentures, preventing slippage and improving comfort and chewing ability.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy with regular dental hygiene appointments, allowing for early detection of oral health problems that could impact your overall health.
• Dental Bridge: For a long-term solution to a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, a dental bridge can restore your smile and support your overall oral health.
• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Protecting your teeth from further damage and potential infection, amalgam fillings act as a proactive measure to maintain your overall oral health.
• Endodontic Retreatment: Taking proactive steps to preserve your teeth, retreatment helps resolve problems with an earlier root canal procedure and safeguards against recurring pain and infection.

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. Hank 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 diligently following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully avoided the pain and expense of a tooth abscess, ensuring a healthy smile for years to come.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventative plan, a patient successfully managed receding gums, preserving their healthy smile and avoiding further dental complications.
• By addressing early signs of orofacial pain through regular checkups, a patient avoided more serious dental problems and maintained a healthy, pain-free smile.

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. Hank DMD:

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

Dr. Hank DMD recommends visiting for checkups and cleanings every six months. 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 removal 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 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 therefore essential for maintaining optimal body health.

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 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. Hank DMD is needed to determine the specific 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 help seal out food and plaque, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What is a root canal and why is it needed?

A root canal is a procedure to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it, relieving pain and preventing the need for extraction. This treatment is not painful, but rather, it is a necessary measure to protect your oral health.

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. Hank DMD to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better treatment outcomes.

135 San Lorenzo Ave Ste 640
Coral Gables FL 33146
Phone: (305) 271-8321

Dr. Hank Barreto, 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): 1528277977

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. Hank 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.