Kids Weston : Child Dentistry : Dental Office

Kids Dentistry Weston – That All Important First Visit

Kids' dentistry is as much about child psychology as it is about the health of their teeth. At our Weston dental practice we treat kids from age 3 and up and we have developed a system and environment that can take the fear out of a trip to the dentist office but it requires your assistance in order for it to be totally effective.

That first visit to the dentist can have a lasting impression about dental visits and dental care. If it is at all possible we recommend that you take your child with you when it's time for your dental appointment. This gives the child an opportunity to visit the office, meet the nice people, play with the games we have for children, gaze at the aquarium and in general form a favorable, non-threatening opinion of the nice people at Dr. Pyle's office. If you can do this a couple of times before your child's first exam it will less stressful when it's the child's turn.

Starting a Health Habit of a Lifetime

We've been treating kids age 3 and up for over a quarter century. Our child dentistry services include regular checkups, cleanings, sealants, fillings, Carifree cavity prevention, sports guards, orthodontic evaluations and digital X-rays. We use laser guided dentistry which can reduce the need for anesthesia and make the experience less stressful for the child.

If you have any questions just give us a call at our Weston dental office and we will be happy to help. Read more:

Cosmetic Dentistry Weston : Teeth Whitening : Restorative

In Weston Cosmetic Dentistry is About More Than Great Smiles

We've found that most of our Weston patients believe that cosmetic dentistry is a purely elective procedure designed for esthetic purposes only. While some cosmetic dentistry does focus on perfecting a smile, there are many procedures that are classified as cosmetic that actually have a restorative function.

For example composite fillings, crowns and bridges are all classified as cosmetic dentistry but the all play an important restorative role. The procedures improve the look of the teeth but they also bring the teeth back to a healthy condition that allows them to function more efficiently.

Composite fillings replace decayed areas of the tooth with a material that is tooth colored rather than silver. Yes this makes the tooth appear more natural so you can call it cosmetic but it also performs the same restorative function as a traditional filling. Crowns strengthen cracked teeth and bridges replace missing teeth both important restorative procedures.

Speaking of Smiles – Cosmetic Dentistry Options

A beautiful smile is not only attractive it builds self-confidence. To get that perfect smile cosmetic dentistry offers teeth whitening, bonding and veneers to brighten a smile and cover imperfections.

Cosmetic dentistry is a special dental practice and you only want it performed by an experienced and qualified dentist. For over 25 years Dr. Pyle has been on the cutting edge of cosmetic dentistry and is up to date on the latest technologies. Our office provides the latest in porcelain materials, tooth colored fillings and the ZOOM! teeth whitening system, a non-invasive technology that brightens teeth quickly and painlessly.

If you have questions about cosmetic dentistry, give us a call or ask Dr. Pyle on your next visit to our Weston dental office. Read More:

Exercise and Oral Health- dentistry: Weston FL

Exercise and Oral Health

Exercise has long been recognized as one of the most important ways to keep your entire body healthy and fit. However, over the last several years, researchers have found evidence that exercise can actually lead to poorer oral health, so we wanted to be sure our Weston area dental patients were provided with the latest information on this topic.

How do researchers know that exercise can hurt oral health?

An initial survey of Olympic athletes showed that their oral health was significantly poorer than those of ordinary people. In order to further study this, a recent study was conducted at a dental school in Germany. A group of highly active athletes were compared against a group of healthy non-athletes. Researchers then examined their lifestyles, and took measurements before, during, and after exercise. Although researchers had initially suspected that athletes might consume more sugary sports bars and drinks, the athletes’ diet could not account for their poor oral health. Instead, researchers noticed the longer an athlete exercised, the more cavities they were likely to have.

How can exercising more lead to cavities?

Researchers found that during exercise, the mouth becomes drier as it produces less saliva. The saliva that was produced also became more basic (the opposite of acidic). A moist mouth with balanced saliva is important to protect enamel and prevent bacterial growth, leading to the athletes developing much more tartar and plaque. The longer an athlete exercised, the drier and more alkaline their mouth became, even if they drank often.

How can I exercise and still have good Oral Health?

Read More:

Family Dentistry : Services : Weston

Family Dentistry at Stephen J Pyle, DDS serves as the first line of defense and detection for serious health problems like gum disease and oral cancer. A dental exam typically includes periodic x-rays where these problems can be spotted and appropriate action taken. Serious gum disease can contribute to heart disease and stroke making the dental exam even that much more important to a family member's overall health.

Family Dentistry…Did You Know?

When people think of family dentistry they most likely think dental exams, digital x-rays, teeth cleaning, extractions and teeth polishing. However today, a trained dentist like Dr. Pyle can offer can offer additional services that might surprise you:

• NTI Tension Suppression System. This is a custom fit dental appliance that patients can wear at night to significantly reduce migraine headaches and migraine associated stress headaches. Dr. Pyle was the first to offer this non-surgical, no-drug, no side effects therapy in Weston.
• Customized sports guards. If you or your children play a contact sport or a sport that could potentially result in a dental injury (like tennis or racquetball) Dr. Pyle can create a custom mouth guard for protection.
• Tooth colored fillings. This filling material looks and feels more natural and is an excellent alternative to traditional silver filling material.
• Dental hypnosis. Certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Dr. Pyle can put anxious patients at ease using dental hypnosis making the dental treatment process less stressful.
• Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances.  If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, Dr. Pyle can custom fit you for an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea ( rather than using a CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure – device.)

Family dentistry is an important part of your family's overall health care program. Regular dental examinations and maintenance can prevent major (and expensive) dental issues later on: read more

Cosmetic dentistry : Weston FL

Improving Your Quality of Life Through Cosmetic Dentistry

If you think cosmetic dentistry is a luxury, think again. How you perceive the appearance of your teeth can have a major impact on your self-confidence, self-image and how you interact with others. If you are completely confident in your smile…you'll smile more often and that can change the way people think about you.

Imagine having the confidence of a perfect smile when interacting with business associates or clients. You will engage in conversations more freely and you won't have that nagging worry about how you appear to others. Cosmetic dentistry is not a luxury; it is not an exclusive service for the rich and famous, it is a means to improve the quality of your life.

With Cosmetic Dentistry You Have Options

Over the years there have been significant advances both in the techniques and materials used in cosmetic dentistry. At our practice we have been providing cosmetic dentistry and bringing brighter smiles to patients in Weston, Sunrise and Plantation for over 25 years. The advances made during that time are absolutely stunning.

Here is a short list of the options available when creating a more attractive smile:

• Porcelain Veneers. An excellent alternative to crowns.
• Teeth Whitening. There are a variety of new products available for whitening teeth at home.
• Tooth Colored Fillings. You can eliminate the mouth full of silver look with tooth colored fillings that look natural.

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty and you don't want to receive cosmetic dentistry care from any dentist other than one who has the training and experience to practice it.

If you have questions regarding the benefits of cosmetic dentistry or how it is performed, please contact our office and we will be happy to answer them: read more

Getting Kids ready for Back to School : Dental Care

Believe it or not summer is almost over and it is time to start thinking about getting your kids ready for back to school. Traditionally "back to school" supplies means clothes, notebooks, pens, backpacks and other school paraphernalia so your kids are good to go on day one. However, there is one item that is often overlooked and it can be the most important "tool" your kid will need in his or her scholastic year and that's good dental health.

 A back to school dental exam is a smart move and ensures that your kids are starting the school year without the distractions and potential pain that dental problems can cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tooth decay is the largest chronic infectious disease risk that your kids will face. Further, it is estimated that 19% of children 2 to 12 have undiagnosed tooth decay and that can lead to problems eating, speaking, focusing and generally leading a normal kid's life.

For a few tips courtesy of Dr. Stephen J. Pyle in Weston: Read more

Dental Anxiety - Weston Dental Blog

What is dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety is a fearful response to dentists and dental office visits.  About 75% of Americans experience some form of dental anxiety, most often mild apprehension.  However, for a smaller fraction, dental anxiety is much more serious.  Serious dental anxiety occurs in up to 10% of the population, and can lead to behavior such as difficulty making appointments, panic attacks, or extreme anxiety leading up to and during a dental appointment.

Why is dental anxiety problematic?

A person with severe dental anxiety may avoid dentists entirely.  Their teeth will decay without regular dental cleaning, which can result in pain, embarrassment, ugly teeth, bad breath, and most critically can lead to poorer general health.

What are common symptoms of Severe Dental Anxiety?

General panic symptoms are typically seen with Severe Dental Anxiety, including difficulty breathing, sweaty palms, racing heart, lightheadedness and feeling queasy.

How can Dental Anxiety be Managed?

One of the easiest and most effective ways is to learn relaxation techniques, such as breathing or meditation, which can help relax them during an appointment.  A similar option that we make available to our Weston Area dental patients is dental hypnosis, which is very effective in relaxing a willing patient.

Just knowing that there is a problem can allow our dental staff to address phobias, such as by telling our patients what we are doing in each step, or avoiding a particular procedure if at all possible.  We can make arrangements for you to signal us to pause during treatment while you calm down and relax.  We also offer other relaxation aids such as TVs and music and a beautiful salt-water living reef aquarium in our state-of-the-art Weston dental location: Read More