Dr. Stephen Semesco, DDS

Dr. Stephen Semesco, 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, he practices at his clinic in Ocala, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment to preventative dentistry is central to his approach, recognizing that proactive care is key to maintaining optimal oral and systemic health.

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. Stephen DDS is dedicated to serving all ages, and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. He fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Please call (352) 732-7050 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Stephen Semesco, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Ocala, FL, providing consultations primarily in English. His practice emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention, promoting a comprehensive approach to oral health that extends beyond the teeth. He is dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy smile and overall wellness.

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

• Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: Since Dentinogenesis Imperfecta makes teeth unusually brittle, early diagnosis allows for tailored preventive strategies to safeguard against decay, fractures, and the need for extensive dental work.
• Tooth Loss: Tooth loss can be a sign of underlying gum disease or decay, so proactive dental care is crucial for prevention.
• Compulsive Cheek Biting: Early identification and management of compulsive cheek biting are essential for preventing more serious oral health problems, including painful ulcers, infections, and the need for restorative dental procedures.
• Receding Gums: Receding gums indicate a need for professional dental care to help prevent serious gum disease and the potential for costly treatments.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: Persistent bad taste might indicate gum disease or infection, highlighting the importance of proactive dental care to avoid more serious complications.
• Unequal Jaw Growth: Unequal jaw growth can lead to misaligned teeth and bite problems, making cleaning difficult and increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease, so early detection and intervention are crucial for preventive oral health.
• Oral Cancer: Oral cancer, while serious, is treatable when caught early. Preventive measures like avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption, combined with regular screenings, dramatically reduce your risk.

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

• Orthodontic Management of Distraction Osteogenesis: As a proactive step for jawbone reconstruction, orthodontic distraction osteogenesis ensures proper alignment and improves overall oral health.
• Oral Soft Tissue Assessment: An oral soft tissue assessment is a quick check of your gums, tongue, and mouth lining to spot any early signs of disease or problems, helping you prevent more serious issues down the line.
• Pericoronitis: Prevent the discomfort and potential complications of pericoronitis by ensuring timely professional examination of your wisdom teeth during routine dental cleanings and checkups.
• Replacing a Single Tooth: Proactively replacing a missing tooth helps avoid more extensive and costly dental work down the line, safeguarding your investment in oral health.
• Dental Infection Treatment: Taking care of a dental infection promptly can safeguard you from potential complications like gum disease and jawbone damage.
• Dental Prophylaxis, Adult: A dental prophylaxis is a professional cleaning that helps prevent cavities and gum disease by removing plaque and tartar buildup.
• Dental Inlays: Protecting your smile's longevity, dental inlays offer a durable solution to repair moderate tooth decay before it leads to more extensive procedures.

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. Stephen 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:

• Recognizing the unique challenges of Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, a family proactively sought guidance from a preventive dentist. Early intervention allowed for tailored strategies to minimize future dental issues and maintain a healthy, confident smile.
• By scheduling regular checkups and cleanings, a family significantly reduced their risk of tooth loss, gaining peace of mind about their oral health.
• By addressing compulsive cheek biting early, a patient avoided painful sores and unnecessary dental work, gaining peace of mind and a healthier smile.

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. Stephen DDS:

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

At Dr. Stephen DDS, we recommend seeing your dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This crucial preventive step helps remove tartar buildup that brushing alone can't, catch 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 removal is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which has been 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 (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 essential for maintaining optimal systemic 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.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up. Dr. Stephen DDS will visually inspect the lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

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.

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 the teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

2710 SE 17th St
Ocala FL 34471
Phone: (352) 732-7050

Dr. Stephen Semesco, 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): 1104031319

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. Stephen 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.