Dr. Maria Hernandez-Garay, DDS

Dr. Maria Hernandez-Garay, DDS 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 Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment extends to ensuring optimal oral and systemic health, recognizing the interconnectedness of oral and 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.

Dr. Maria DDS focuses on preventative care for all ages, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and proactive measures. She is a dentistry practitioner in Miami, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. This includes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She strives to build strong patient relationships, fostering trust and open communication. Please call (305) 643-3800 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Maria DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Malocclusion (Bad Bite): Early detection of malocclusion is key to preventing more serious dental issues; correcting a bad bite can help maintain long-term oral and overall health.
• Tooth Abrasion: Early detection of tooth abrasion allows for timely intervention, such as adjusting brushing techniques or using fluoride treatments, minimizing further enamel loss and preventing future problems.
• Cracked Tooth: Protecting your teeth from cracks involves maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking professional help at the first sign of a problem, preventing future pain and discomfort.
• Example Condition One for dentistry_us: Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and regular dental checkups is your best defense against cavities and the discomfort they cause.
• Tooth Demineralization: Early identification of tooth demineralization, the initial stage of tooth decay, allows for timely intervention through improved oral hygiene and professional treatments, preventing significant dental issues in the future.
• Crouzon Syndrome: Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting skull and facial development, often requiring early intervention to manage its effects on the teeth and jaws, reducing future dental problems.
• Teething: Teething, while a normal part of baby development, requires careful monitoring to prevent potential gum irritation and infections, ensuring your child's healthy smile from the start.

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

• Palatal Expander: This appliance helps guide the growth of your jaw, preventing overcrowding and the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future, ensuring a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
• 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.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery: If conservative treatments fail to relieve chronic TMJ disorders, surgery offers a potential solution to restore jaw function and quality of life.
• Dental Sealant: Dental sealants are a proactive way to protect your children's teeth from cavities by creating a shield over the chewing surfaces of their molars.
• Dental Brace and Headgear: Dental braces and headgear help straighten teeth and improve your bite, preventing future dental problems and promoting a healthy smile.
• Implant-Supported Bridge: By opting for an implant-supported bridge, you're proactively preventing the shifting of remaining teeth and the potential for bite problems that come with missing teeth.
• Hawley Retainer: A Hawley retainer helps keep your teeth straight after braces, preventing them from shifting back to their original position and ensuring a long-lasting, healthy smile.

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. Maria 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 checkups and following a personalized prevention plan, a family proactively addressed potential malocclusion issues, reducing the risk of future dental problems and maintaining excellent oral health.
• By scheduling regular checkups and learning proper brushing techniques, a patient successfully avoided the progression of tooth abrasion, maintaining a healthy, confident smile.
• By attending regular checkups and addressing minor tooth sensitivity promptly, a patient avoided the pain and expense of a major dental procedure, 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. 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. Maria DDS:

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

At Dr. Maria DDS, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup that brushing alone can't, detect cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with diligent 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 intricately linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining good overall body 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. Maria DDS to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

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. It's not a painful procedure, but rather a way to keep your tooth healthy.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Maria DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

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.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Maria DDS recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday. This early visit is crucial for ensuring proper tooth development and establishing a positive dental home for future care.

1250 SW 27th Ave Ste 203
Miami FL 33135
Phone: (305) 643-3800

Dr. Maria Hernandez-Garay, 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): 1912079948

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. Maria 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.