Dr. Ricardo Montero, DMD

Dr. Ricardo Montero, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry partner at Aspen Dental in Fort Myers, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he understands the crucial role preventative dentistry plays in 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. He is committed to serving all ages.

Dr. Ricardo DMD, the Dentist Partner of the Fort Myers, FL Palm location, is welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and brings years of valuable dental experience to Aspen Dental. He and the Aspen Dental team are proud to offer professional, compassionate care to patients like you, committed to treating each patient with the compassion and respect they deserve. The practice believes in providing comprehensive care that addresses both your short- and long-term dental care needs, providing an honest, judgment-free environment where great care is paramount. Dr. Ricardo DMD provides consultations primarily in English. Call (855) 384-3530 to schedule your appointment today.

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

• Stained Teeth: Stained teeth can be an early warning sign of poor oral hygiene or other underlying health issues, making regular checkups crucial for early detection and prevention.
• Sensitive Teeth: Experiencing sensitive teeth? Addressing this early can help avoid more serious dental problems like cavities and gum disease.
• Tooth Loss: Tooth loss can be a sign of underlying gum disease or decay, so proactive dental care is crucial for prevention.
• Loose Teeth: Experiencing loose teeth? Addressing this early prevents further tooth loss and potential complications, emphasizing the value of proactive dental care.
• Grinding of Teeth: Unmanaged teeth grinding can result in cracked teeth, jaw pain, and even headaches; regular dental visits and potential use of a night guard can prevent these complications.
• Tooth Malformation: Addressing tooth malformation proactively through dental interventions can prevent future issues such as increased susceptibility to decay, gum disease, and jaw pain, underscoring the importance of managing risk factors.
• Halitosis: Managing halitosis through good oral hygiene is key to preventing the progression of gum disease and cavities, safeguarding your overall oral health.
• Toothache: Toothaches often signal underlying dental problems; addressing them early helps prevent complications and preserves your oral health, impacting overall well-being.
• Dental Injury: Protecting your teeth from injury is a vital aspect of preventive dentistry, reducing the risk of painful procedures, costly treatments, and long-term oral health problems.
• Cavity: Cavities are preventable! Practicing good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are key to protecting your teeth from decay and maintaining your overall oral health.
• Canker Sore: Managing stress and maintaining a balanced diet can help prevent frequent canker sore outbreaks, protecting your overall oral health and well-being.
• Dental Trauma: Early detection of dental trauma, even minor injuries, is crucial to prevent infections, nerve damage, and long-term complications.

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

• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings are a long-lasting solution to repair cavities, actively working to prevent further damage and maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
• Cosmetic Procedure: By enhancing your smile with cosmetic procedures, you indirectly promote better oral health through increased self-care and regular visits.
• Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with professional dental cleanings, which screen for early signs of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Crown: As part of proactive dental care, a crown can help restore a tooth after significant decay or trauma, reducing the risk of tooth loss and maintaining your overall oral health.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Protect your oral health and overall well-being with professional dental hygiene services, which help identify potential issues early and prevent more serious problems.
• Dental Implant: A dental implant offers a permanent solution to missing teeth, improving your confidence, enhancing your smile, and helping to prevent future dental problems.
• Root Canal: Protecting your overall oral health, a root canal treatment addresses severe tooth decay or injury, relieving pain and preventing the need for an extraction.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can reveal underlying dental issues early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more significant problems.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: By prioritizing tooth-conserving dentistry, you're taking a proactive step to maintain your oral health, avoiding tooth loss and potential health complications.

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. Ricardo 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 dental checkups, a patient identified and addressed the early signs of staining, minimizing the risk of more serious oral health problems and gaining confidence in their smile.
• By addressing sensitive teeth early through preventive dental care, a patient avoided the potential for more serious dental issues like cavities and gum disease, gaining confidence in their oral health.
• By prioritizing regular dental checkups and cleanings, a family significantly reduced their risk of tooth loss, gaining peace of mind knowing their oral health was proactively managed.

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. Ricardo DMD:

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

Dr. Ricardo DMD recommends seeing a dentist and dental hygienist 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 brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar, which 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 intrinsically 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 optimal 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. Ricardo to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and treatment.

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 seals out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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 causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can result from various factors, including worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the tooth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Ricardo DMD is necessary to identify the specific cause and recommend appropriate treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

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.

Aspen Dental
11741 S Cleveland Ave
Fort Myers FL 33907
Phone: (855) 384-3530

Dr. Ricardo Montero, 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): 1164579066

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. Ricardo 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.