Dr. Josiah Smith, DDS

Dr. Josiah Smith, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner 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). His commitment to 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, and serves all ages.

Dr. Josiah Smith, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Fort Lauderdale, FL, focused on the proactive prevention of dental issues. His approach emphasizes personalized plans tailored to each patient's unique needs, aiming to prevent future problems rather than just treating existing conditions. He understands that optimal oral health is intrinsically linked to overall wellness, and he works diligently to ensure each patient's comfort and understanding throughout the process. Patients should call (954) 355-4400 to confirm if Dr. Josiah DDS is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Josiah DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, Shield's Type I: Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, Shield's Type I, is a rare genetic condition affecting tooth development, making regular dental check-ups crucial for early detection and management of potential complications.
• Jaw Misalignment Leading to TMJ: Early detection of jaw misalignment is crucial for preventing the progression to TMJ disorders and their associated health problems; your dentist can provide preventive solutions to protect your jaw joint.
• Open Bite: Maintaining proper jaw alignment is key to preventing an open bite from worsening and potentially causing more serious issues such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, emphasizing the significance of proactive dental care.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Managing TMJ disorder proactively minimizes the risk of chronic jaw pain, headaches, and earaches, improving your overall quality of life and preventing significant health issues down the line.
• Edentulism: Managing gum disease and cavities effectively is key to preventing edentulism. Early intervention through professional dental care and at-home prevention practices helps maintain your natural teeth.
• Gummy Smile (Oversized Gingiva): Managing a gummy smile proactively can help avoid more complex dental procedures and potential complications with your gums or teeth later.
• Traumatic Dental Injuries: By proactively managing your risk of dental trauma, you can safeguard your smile and preserve your oral health for years to come.

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

• Wilckodontics® Dental Braces: Improve your smile and protect your oral health for years to come by using Wilckodontics® Dental Braces to correct your bite and prevent future orthodontic issues.
• Opalescence® Tooth Whitening System: Brighten your smile and boost your confidence with Opalescence® – a professional teeth whitening system that helps maintain a healthy, attractive smile.
• 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.
• Pre-Operative Examination for Dental Surgery: A pre-operative dental exam helps your dentist identify any potential issues that could complicate your upcoming dental surgery, ensuring a smoother and safer procedure.
• Single Visit Root Canals: Investing in a single-visit root canal is an effective way to prevent more extensive dental work and maintain your overall oral health.
• Porcelain Dental Onlays: To proactively safeguard your teeth from extensive damage, porcelain onlays offer a durable solution for moderate decay, helping prevent the need for larger, more invasive procedures.
• E4D Dentist® CAD-CAM System: Protect your smile and prevent future dental issues by utilizing the E4D Dentist® system for precise and efficient restorations, helping maintain the integrity of your teeth.

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. Josiah DDS 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 attending regular dental check-ups, a family proactively managed their child's Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, Shield's Type I, reducing the risk of future complications and fostering peace of mind.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a proactive treatment plan, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing TMJ disorders, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable jaw joint.
• By addressing jaw alignment concerns early, a patient proactively reduced the risk of developing more severe dental and jaw issues, fostering a sense of peace of mind about their oral health.

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. Josiah DDS:

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

At Dr. Josiah DDS, we recommend seeing your dentist and hygienist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This helps prevent tartar buildup, which brushing can't remove, and allows us to catch cavities early. Regular checkups also 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 intricately 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 not only a healthy mouth, but also a healthy body.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (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. Josiah DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

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 surrounding teeth.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Josiah DDS 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 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 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. This treatment relieves pain and prevents the need for tooth extraction. Dr. Josiah DDS is committed to providing comfortable and effective root canal care.

1600 S Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4400

Dr. Josiah Smith, DDS 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): 1700347168

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. Josiah DDS 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.