Dr. Patricia French-Lawrence, DMD

Dr. Patricia French-Lawrence, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. She practices at her clinic in Naples, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the 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. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages and welcomes the opportunity to partner with you in maintaining optimal oral health. Please call (239) 793-3777 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Patricia French-Lawrence, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Naples, FL, dedicated to the prevention of oral health issues. Her approach to care prioritizes personalized treatment plans, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible care tailored to their unique needs. She understands that preventive care is crucial for maintaining overall well-being, and she takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing potential oral health concerns before they develop. Dr. Patricia DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Tongue-Tie: Recognizing and managing tongue-tie in children can safeguard their future oral health by enabling effective cleaning and healthy jaw development, thus lowering the risks of various oral diseases.
• Canker Sore: Managing stress and maintaining a balanced diet can help prevent frequent canker sore outbreaks, protecting your overall oral health and well-being.
• Tooth Discoloration (Resistant to Whitening): Addressing resistant tooth discoloration proactively can help maintain your smile's aesthetic appeal and avoid more extensive, costly treatments later.
• Oral Infection: Managing oral infections effectively minimizes the risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, linked to poor oral health.
• Tooth Decay Caused by Acid Attack: Acidic substances constantly attack your enamel, causing decay. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene are your best defense against this wear and tear.
• Orofacial Infection: Early detection of orofacial infections through regular dental checkups is crucial for prompt treatment and preventing serious health issues.
• Cosmetic Peridontal Problems: Managing cosmetic periodontal problems is a crucial step in proactive oral health care, preventing bigger issues before they 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. Patricia DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique: Protect your smile and gums long-term: the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique offers a potential solution for gum recession, helping to prevent further bone and tissue loss.
• Removable Appliances: Taking care of your removable appliances is a proactive step to avoid cavities and gum disease, ensuring long-term oral health.
• Dental Examination: Take charge of your oral health with a dental examination; it's a vital screening that identifies potential problems like cavities and gum disease before they become painful or costly to treat.
• ClearCorrect™ Invisible Braces: Invest in your long-term oral health by using ClearCorrect invisible braces to correct misalignment, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain.
• Inlay Restoration: Strengthening your teeth and preventing the need for larger restorations is possible with inlay restorations, which act as a durable, custom-fitted filling for moderate decay.
• Cosmetic Oral Evaluation: A cosmetic oral evaluation proactively identifies potential oral health issues like cavities or gum disease early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more extensive treatments.
• Ceramic Dental Braces: Correct crooked teeth and improve your overall dental health with nearly invisible ceramic braces, preventing future orthodontic issues and enhancing your smile's aesthetics.

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. Patricia 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:

• Recognizing tongue-tie early, a family proactively addressed potential oral health concerns, ensuring their child's developing jaw and teeth could thrive, reducing future risks. This proactive approach brought peace of mind for the family, allowing them to focus on their child's overall well-being.
• By understanding triggers and maintaining a healthy diet, a patient significantly reduced the frequency of canker sores, improving their overall oral comfort and well-being.
• By proactively addressing potential tooth discoloration, a patient maintained a vibrant smile and avoided the need for more extensive, costly procedures later. This preventative approach ensured long-term oral health and aesthetic confidence.

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. Patricia DMD:

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

For most people, a visit to Dr. Patricia DMD and the dental hygienist every six months is recommended. This crucial preventive care helps 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 meticulous brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This crucial step prevents cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is strongly connected to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining optimal body health.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is an early, reversible stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder affects the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement, causing symptoms like jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Patricia DMD can diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, including a custom nightguard to prevent damage from teeth 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.

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.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

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

4135 Tamiami Trl E
Naples FL 34112
Phone: (239) 793-3777

Dr. Patricia French-Lawrence, 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): 1710091632

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. Patricia 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.