Dr. Thomas Fellner, DDS

Dr. Thomas Fellner, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. He practices at his clinic in Lake Wales, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment to 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 welcomes all ages to begin their proactive health journey.

Dr. Thomas DDS's focus on prevention stems from his rigorous medical training at recognized institutions, including a BS in Chemistry from the University of Florida and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University. He maintains his expertise through ongoing continuing education and professional memberships, including the American Dental Association and Invisalign Certification. His commitment extends to providing lifetime care dental education and exceptional dentistry to guide patients in preserving their smile for life. As a partner in preventive health, Dr. Thomas DDS is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (863) 438-1903 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Thomas DDS primarily provides consultations in English. He enjoys life outside of dentistry by attending Florida Gator football games, bowling, fishing, and spending time with his daughter Meghan.

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

• 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.
• Tender Gums: Protecting your gums from tenderness is key to preventing gum disease, which can impact your overall health.
• Tooth Damage: Tooth damage, like cavities or cracks, can be prevented with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, reducing the need for costly and extensive repairs later.
• Dental Injury: Preventing dental injuries starts with proactive measures such as avoiding risky activities or using safety equipment, protecting your teeth and gums from harm.
• Dental Disorders: Regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection and management of dental disorders, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further damage and improve long-term oral health.
• Chipped Tooth: Catching a chipped tooth early helps prevent more serious problems like tooth decay, infection, or the need for extensive restorative work, saving you time and money.
• Canker Sore: Canker sores, though usually harmless, can indicate an underlying issue and should be monitored for persistent or recurring occurrences to prevent potential complications.
• Cavity: Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities, protecting your smile and contributing to your overall well-being.
• 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.
• Receding Gums: Receding gums, a sign of gum disease, can be prevented with diligent brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and overall health.
• Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can be a sign of underlying gum disease or bone loss, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and preventive treatment.
• Mouth Conditions: Managing mouth conditions effectively helps protect your teeth, gums, and overall well-being, enhancing your quality of life.

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. Thomas DDS 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: Protecting your teeth from further damage and potential infection, amalgam fillings act as a proactive measure to maintain your overall oral health.
• Cosmetic Procedure: By enhancing your smile with cosmetic procedures, you indirectly promote better oral health through increased self-care and regular visits.
• Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning is a simple yet effective preventative measure to keep your mouth healthy, detecting any issues early and avoiding future complications.
• 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: Take proactive steps toward a healthier smile by scheduling regular dental hygiene services to detect and prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Dental Implant: Investing in a dental implant is a proactive step in preserving your facial structure and preventing the common issues related to missing teeth.
• Root Canal: A root canal helps save a severely infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and preventing further infection or tooth loss, preserving your natural smile.
• Teeth Whitening: Enhance your oral hygiene routine with teeth whitening, helping you maintain a healthy, attractive smile for years to come.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: This approach involves careful examinations and minimally invasive treatments to identify and address cavities, gum disease, and other issues before they worsen, saving your teeth.

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. Thomas 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 proactively addressing their teeth grinding habit with regular checkups and a night guard, a patient avoided the potential for severe jaw pain and headaches, ensuring a comfortable and healthy smile.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums, avoiding the discomfort of tenderness and the risk of gum disease. This proactive approach ensured their overall oral health and peace of mind.
• By attending regular checkups and practicing excellent oral hygiene, a family significantly reduced their risk of costly dental repairs, ensuring a healthy, confident 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. 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. Thomas DDS:

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

Dr. Thomas DDS recommends visiting every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This allows our dental hygienists 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 excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing 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?

Your oral health is profoundly connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal oral and overall body health.

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. Thomas 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.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the 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.

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. Thomas 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.

24174 Hwy 27 Ste 200
Lake Wales FL 33859
Phone: (863) 438-1903

Dr. Thomas Fellner, 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): 1598842270

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. Thomas 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.