Dr. Marc Ottenga, DDS

Dr. Marc Ottenga, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at his clinic in Gainesville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He is committed to helping patients understand and maintain optimal oral health, recognizing its vital connection to overall well-being.

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. Marc DDS's approach emphasizes a collaborative, evidence-based method, empowering all ages to take an active role in their long-term health. He strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel confident in their ability to maintain optimal oral health.

Dr. Marc Ottenga, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Gainesville, FL. He provides consultations primarily in English. Please call (352) 273-5800 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

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

• Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic condition that can lead to serious mouth problems, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and prevention.
• Cleft Palate: Because a cleft palate can affect eating, speaking, and even hearing, early intervention through specialized care helps ensure a child's optimal development and overall health.
• Loose Teeth: Don't ignore loose teeth – they indicate a problem that, if left untreated, can lead to infections, further tooth loss, and even impact your overall health.
• Hypodontia: Missing teeth due to hypodontia increase your risk of further tooth loss and jaw problems; preventive dentistry helps identify this condition early to explore treatment options and prevent complications.
• Palate Cancer: Managing risk factors like tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption is crucial in preventing palate cancer and maintaining overall oral health.
• Dental Spacing: Early detection of dental spacing issues can prevent more serious problems like crooked teeth or jaw misalignment down the line.
• Gum Disease: Don't let gum disease put your overall health at risk; proactive steps such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups can significantly minimize your chances of developing this preventable condition.

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

• MTM® No-Trace Braces: Take control of your smile's future with MTM® No-Trace Braces, straightening your teeth discreetly to prevent future dental problems and improve your overall oral health.
• Harmony® Lingual Braces: Harmony® Lingual Braces offer a discreet way to achieve a straighter, healthier smile, reducing the risk of future dental complications and improving your overall oral hygiene.
• Extraction of Wisdom Tooth: This procedure helps avoid the potential need for more extensive dental work or emergency treatment down the line, especially for impacted or problematic wisdom teeth.
• Orthotic Treatment: Orthotic treatment, like Invisalign or braces, helps straighten your teeth to prevent future dental problems and improve your overall oral health.
• Mouthguards: Take a proactive step towards better oral health by using a mouthguard to safeguard your teeth from grinding or clenching.
• Herbst® Appliance: An Herbst appliance is a type of orthodontic device that helps correct an overbite by gently guiding your jaw's growth, preventing future jaw problems and improving your bite.
• 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.

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. Marc 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 attending regular dental checkups and following a personalized preventive plan, a patient was able to proactively manage their oral health, significantly reducing the risk of developing oral submucous fibrosis. This proactive approach ensured peace of mind and allowed them to confidently enjoy a healthy smile.
• A family was relieved to learn that early screenings for cleft palate identified potential issues, allowing for proactive intervention and a plan to support optimal development. This proactive approach ensured the child's well-being and minimized potential future challenges.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a family discovered the early signs of loose teeth, enabling them to address the underlying issue and prevent further tooth loss, ensuring a healthy smile for years to come.

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. Marc DDS:

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

At Dr. Marc DDS, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup that 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 home care, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is deeply connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is crucial for maintaining good oral and overall health.

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. Marc DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

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 to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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. Marc DDS to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better preventative care.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing tooth roots, or tiny cracks in the teeth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Marc DDS is needed to determine the exact cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Marc DDS 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.

1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32610
Phone: (352) 273-5800

Dr. Marc Ottenga, 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): 1306802293

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. Marc 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.