Dr. Raffaella Armstrong, DMD

Dr. Raffaella Armstrong, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist practicing at her clinic in Miami, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. 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 currently welcoming new patients of all ages to begin their proactive health journey; please call (305) 383-9944 to schedule.

Dr. Raffaella Armstrong, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Miami, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. A graduate of the University of Kentucky / College of Dentistry in 1994, she is affiliated with medical facilities such as Mount Sinai Medical Center and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families, having dedicated her career to Preventive Dental care. Her approach to care is firmly rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Raffaella DMD is fluent in Italian and also offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Raffaella 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. Raffaella 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. Raffaella 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 Decay: Regular dental visits for cleaning and fluoride treatments help prevent tooth decay and strengthen your teeth, shielding them from harmful bacteria.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a preventable infection that damages the gums and bone supporting your teeth, and early detection through regular checkups is key to preventing serious complications.
• Tooth Attrition: Early detection of tooth attrition through routine dental visits allows for timely intervention, preventing further damage and preserving your teeth's natural structure.
• Cavity: Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities, protecting your smile and contributing to your overall well-being.
• Grinding of Teeth: Teeth grinding puts excessive pressure on your jaw and teeth, potentially causing damage and pain; proactive management through stress reduction or mouthguards protects your oral health.
• Tooth Abscess: Preventing tooth decay and gum disease through diligent oral hygiene is crucial, as these conditions can lead to painful and costly tooth abscesses.
• Tooth Demineralization: Preventing tooth decay starts with understanding tooth demineralization—the process where your enamel weakens, increasing your risk of cavities; regular checkups and proper brushing help detect and reverse this.
• 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.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Chipped Tooth: A chipped tooth, even a small one, can be a sign of underlying issues and should be checked by a dentist to prevent infection or further damage.
• Tooth Loss: Protecting your teeth from loss involves diligent brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• 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.

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

• Composite Fillings: For a healthier, more confident smile, consider composite fillings to repair damaged teeth and prevent more extensive dental work in the future.
• Dental Bonding: Take a proactive step towards preventing future dental problems by considering dental bonding; it can repair minor tooth damage before it worsens, saving you from more extensive procedures later.
• Dental Crown: A dental crown is a restorative procedure that protects a weakened or damaged tooth, serving as a proactive measure to prevent further complications and support long-term oral health.
• Non-Surgical Gum Treatment: Non-surgical gum treatment offers a gentle yet effective way to address gum problems, preventing more invasive procedures and preserving your natural teeth.
• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers offer a proactive approach to addressing chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth, significantly improving your smile's aesthetics and protecting tooth structure.
• Restoration of Dental Implants: Regular restoration checks for your dental implants help identify and address any issues early, avoiding more extensive and costly procedures down the line.
• 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.
• 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.
• Teeth Scaling: Teeth scaling is a professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping prevent cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Teeth Whitening: Take proactive steps to improve your smile's appearance and protect your teeth from future damage with professional teeth whitening.

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. Raffaella 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 cleanings and fluoride treatments, a family significantly reduced their risk of tooth decay, enjoying a lifetime of healthy smiles.
• By attending regular dental checkups and following a personalized preventative plan, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums and avoided the need for more extensive gum disease treatment. This proactive approach ensured a healthy smile and overall well-being.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized plan, a patient successfully managed tooth attrition, preserving their smile's natural beauty and function 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. Raffaella DMD:

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

At Dr. Raffaella DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. 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 home care, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus) that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which is 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, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining optimal oral and overall health.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Raffaella DMD 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.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder affects the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Raffaella DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

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

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 a tooth extraction.

14050 SW 84th St
Miami FL 33183
Phone: (305) 383-9944

Dr. Raffaella Armstrong, 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): 1932358967

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. Raffaella 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.