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Author: Peter Pinto

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Monthly Smile Story

Monthly Smile Story: Finding a cure for cancer, one smile at a time

Monthly Smile Story: Finding a cure for cancer, one smile at a time

I’m really excited about this new segment we are starting

In each of these stories, I’m going to introduce you to one very special guest and interview them about their “Smile Story.” 

This month it’s my friend, Suzie. After her brother became ill with prostate cancer, Suzie decided, “I’m going to dedicate myself to help find a cure.” Since then she has been tireless in her lobbying on behalf of Zero Prostate Cancer to make that a reality.

Suzie found me through one of her closest friends, Sharon who is another dear guest of mine, and when Suzie told her she was nervous about getting her smile fixed, Sharon said, “You need to go see Dr. Pinto because she will make the process anxiety free!”

If you are interested in helping my friend Suzie in her cancer quest, go here to donate or participate in her upcoming 5k run/walk fundraiser at Tamiami Park on September 23rd. My husband Peter and I had the honor of being the title sponsor for Suzie’s previous fundraiser this past April and had an absolute blast with her and Sharon at Top Golf.

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  • Zero Prostate Cancer

    Zero Prostate Cancer
  • Zero Prostate Cancer

    Zero Prostate Cancer
  • Zero Prostate Cancer

    Zero Prostate Cancer

Dr. Pinto: Why were you hesitant to fix your smile?

Suzie: I had been taking care of my mom, and then my brother got prostate cancer, so I was really focused on helping and caring for them. But after both of them passed away, I had no reason not to focus more on myself.

Part of it was concern about how much it was going to cost and my horrible fear of dentists from when I was much, much younger. And I’ve always been very apprehensive about going to the dentist and I used to get physically ill the night before where I would end up sick to my stomach.

I don’t get like that anymore. Your entire practice focuses on guest centric care. I’m not just another body. I feel like I’m part of the family. It’s nice to be looked at more than just another guest.

Dr. Pinto: Was your smile making any aspect of life more difficult?

Suzie: I was embarrassed. Anytime someone would take pictures of me, the first thing that I would do is look at my mouth. And I would go “Oh, God, my smile was so horrible!” It made me reluctant to smile. I was worried I didn’t look genuine. So, in my 60s, I said, “Okay, I have to do something about this.”

Dr. Pinto: Had you tried anything else to improve your smile before?

Suzie: I got one of those Smile Direct molds. I paid $129 for the mold and one of the girls in my office helped me do it. But I looked at them and said, “I can’t even send these in. They’re just so awful!” So, I threw them in the garbage. I said something to Sharon about it and she said, “You gotta go to Dr. Pinto.”

Dr. Pinto: Did your experience here at Deering Dental change the way you perceive dentistry?

Suzie: It absolutely changed how I feel about dentistry as a whole. Because like I said, I did not go as regularly as I should have. Partly because of that apprehension. And my past dentist never addressed the gingivitis on the bottom of my mouth. Never. I saw him every three or four months for a cleaning and we never talked about it. He never spoke to me about it.

Dr. Pinto: How has your new smile changed things for you?

Suzie: I’m not embarrassed when somebody posts a picture of me on Facebook. To look at the side-by-side comparison of how it was versus how it is now? It’s a 180. It’s boosted my self confidence. I don’t feel like I need to hide my mouth when I’m talking anymore.

I just feel better about myself. I just came back from Washington DC from doing congressional meetings on behalf of Zero Prostate Cancer and it felt great to stand in front of people and do that. I really want people to take me seriously when I talk about this. And if my teeth look like crap, what does that do for my credibility?

Thank you so much for taking a few minutes to talk to me! I confident your 5k run/walk fundraiser this September 23rd at Tamiami Park is going to be just as successful as your Top Golf event.

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Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

My Stand Against Fast Food Dentistry

Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

My Manifesto: Slaying Churn and Burn Dentistry And the Insurance Dragon

Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

I’m taking a big risk

This risk has nothing to do with money and everything to do with principles. But in today’s world, principles rarely survive against big money. What is the big risk I’m taking? 

Well, not all dentists have the same values when it comes to treating their guests. If you’ve been to “corporate dentists” you may have observed the most popular philosophy. 

I call it churn and burn dentistry. This philosophy focuses on two things: 1. Doing only what insurance will cover. 2. Speed. Since they are not getting paid much they need to move people through their chairs as fast as possible. It’s like going to a restaurant and they hustle you out quickly because they need to “turn the tables” as fast as they can to make a profit. 

This kind of dentistry is OK for some people. I get it. Not everyone can escape the clutches of the insurance companies. 

But, as you can tell, this means your dental health can never be their number one priority. The priority is doing only what the insurance companies allow and spending as little time with you as possible. 

This means they’ll opt for the easiest, fastest, minimum-acceptable solution. And that means you’ll have more problems down the road and be back more often and end up spending even more money than doing it RIGHT the first time. 

All those trips back to the dental chair work for their model. They want you coming back over and over and over. 

But it doesn’t work for you. Which is why many people who get caught in the churn and burn purgatory often say, “Never mind. I’m not going to the dentist anymore.” 

And, that is not a good solution either! 

I think insurance companies and corporate dentistry have ruined the profession. Ruined it for guests. It used to be better. It used to be that your family dentist could spend time with you, go over the best solutions, get to know you and your family, understand your priorities. 

I’d like to go BACK to that kind of relationship because I think it’s best for YOU and me. 

Well, I decided I could never be a part of that churn and burn industry. 

I decided that we would always put our guests’ well-being at the forefront.

The Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

The Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

One way we do this is to embrace biomimetic dentistry, a method that focuses on scientifically replicating the original biology of teeth to achieve the best possible restorations and long-term outcomes.

Biomimetic dentistry aligned perfectly with our philosophy. This approach utilizes the knowledge we have gained through scientific advancements to recreate the natural characteristics of teeth. By mimicking the original biology, our restorations offer superior results, reduced sensitivity, and increased longevity.

It does require more time and the use of higher-quality materials, which does come at a higher cost. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment and far outweigh the disastrous churn and burn method! 

Biomimetic dentistry can preserve more of your natural tooth structure, minimizing the need for extensive dental work. This approach complements our focus on prevention, as we strive to keep dental issues as small as possible, saving you from unnecessary discomfort and expenses.

The Biomimetic Dentistry Revolution

Insurance is Bad for Your Health

As you might have guessed by now, our customer-first philosophy has led naturally to our decision to no longer be in network insurance. 

We understand that some may question this decision. And I want to address this concern openly. Staying within the confines of insurance reimbursement was simply not feasible. Insurance companies tend to reimburse at rates that cover the bare minimum of legally acceptable care. Often, they downplay the value of modern techniques and materials, causing limitations on the type of care we can provide. 

Insurance companies foster the churn and burn dental method.

I am not ashamed to say that we champion the best care possible, prioritizing longevity, optimal results, and preventive measures. Unfortunately, providing such care within the insurance framework meant operating at a loss. We had to make a very difficult choice… 

  1. Compromise guest care by returning to standard dental practices and accepting insurance
  2. Maintaining our commitment to exceptional care and losing some guests in the short term. 

We made the decision to prioritize our guests and the integrity of our practice by focusing on quality over quantity. 

We allocate ample time for each appointment to ensure that your treatment is not rushed, increasing the chances of successful outcomes. We believe in treating our guests with respect, compassion, and personalized attention, providing an experience that goes beyond the dental chair. 

And all this costs us more money. 

So, I am taking a risk. I’m betting on my guests. I’m taking on the insurance dragon. There is no guarantee that my philosophy will work. We are up against powerful competitors and companies with lots of money to blow. 

But it’s the right thing to do, so I’m doing it. 

If you resonate with this philosophy, I ask you to join our dental family. Stand up for your dental health. Stand up against churn and burn dentistry. And flash your brightest smile possible!

Book your complimentary cosmetic consultation today

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biomimetic dental practice

No More Root Canals? We’re almost there!

biomimetic dentistry in Miami

Great News, We No Longer Have An Endodontist

biomimetic dental practice

As some of you may know, our in-house endodontist recently moved on.

For those not familiar, an endodontist is a dentist who specializes in root canals – these are last resort procedures to salvage a tooth where an infection has reached the nerve. If a root canal fails, the remaining option is an implant, an expensive procedure requiring months of healing. Over the years, my husband Peter and I have strived to offer comprehensive services, hoping to save you the hassle of seeking specialist procedures elsewhere.

The departure of our endodontist may seem inconvenient, but I’m genuinely excited about this change.

Here’s why:

Almost two years ago, we committed to becoming a 100% biomimetic dental practice. After immersing myself in the scientific literature and completing a year-long master course under one of the pioneers of this revolutionary process, I am convinced that biomimetic dentistry far surpasses conventional methods taught in dental schools. If our mission is to offer you the best dental care possible, biomimetic dentistry is the only ethically sound choice.

So, how does losing our endodontist – and no longer providing root canals in-house – benefit you?

Before switching to biomimetic dentistry, we had an endodontist come in six days a month, and they were always busy. However, a curious shift occurred after we embraced biomimetic dentistry. Our endodontist’s schedule started thinning out. Initially, we chalked it up to a fluke, but the trend of fewer root canals persisted. We scaled back our endodontist’s schedule, first to four, then to two days a month, but even that wasn’t enough to keep her busy. So, in May, we amicably decided to part ways – simply because we had so few root canals left for her to do.

Incredibly, by adopting biomimetic dentistry, we are preserving more teeth and helping our guests sidestep the need for root canals altogether. To quantify, this year we have diagnosed 86.5% fewer root canals than in the past. Teeth that would normally require a root canal using standard dental practices are now being saved with biomimetic restorations. I know if there’s one thing you’d like to avoid, it’s a root canal, so it’s heartening to report that Deering Dental can offer a 86.5% lower likelihood you’ll need one.

In the meantime, we are exploring options to provide in-house root canal treatments again at some point in the future. However, as a dentist whose goal it is to maintain and preserve your natural teeth as long as possible, I find it thrilling that so few of my guests now require them.

If you know someone that has been told they need a root canal or are in need of extensive dental work and you think they could benefit from the biomimetic approach we offer, please share this post and encourage them to give us a call and schedule a 2nd opinion consultation. You could be saving your friend from a lot of additional dental work.

Your friend can call or text us at 786-577-4185 to schedule their 2nd opinion consultation.

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Pinto

What do we mean by Biomimetic dentistry? Here is Dr. Pinto to explain…

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After Dental Implants

The Secret to Success – How a Confident Smile Can Unlock Your Full Potential

The Secret to Success: How a Confident Smile Can Unlock Your Full Potential

a Confident Smile

Did you know that science has proven that having a good smile can positively impact your career and income? Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and it can play a crucial role in how you’re perceived by others.

So how crucial is your smile?

Well, according to Dr. Albert Mehrabian’s ground-breaking research a staggering 93% of communication is nonverbal. It’s as if your words almost don’t matter. That means your smile plays a crucial role in how others perceive you, making it even more important to invest in the perfect smile that conveys confidence, charisma, and competence.

Research done on behalf of AACD shows that 99.7 percent of Americans say that a smile is an important social asset and 74 percent feel that an unattractive smile may limit your chance for success.

A University of California study shows that attractive people earn about 12 percent more per year than people who are considered less attractive.

A great smile can also make you more memorable. A study by Kelton Global research indicates that 48 percent of Americans say that someone’s teeth are the first thing they notice when they meet someone. 

A good smile can make you more approachable and likable. People with attractive smiles are perceived as more friendly, trustworthy, and competent.

This can be particularly important in client-facing careers, where building relationships and establishing trust is key to success.

Also, and more importantly, a good smile can boost your confidence. When you feel good about your smile, you’re more likely to feel confident in yourself and your abilities. This can translate into better performance at work, as well as increased job satisfaction and career advancement opportunities.

If you are not confident about your smile, you may have trained yourself (consciously or unconsciously) not to smile at all or to smile without showing your teeth.

Smiles like these are not perceived as “genuine” and that does not instil confidence in customers, clients, or interviewers.  A 2014 study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior found that displaying a confident genuine smile made participants more persuasive than those who did not. If you’re too embarrassed to show your true smile, choosing to do something about is truly worth it. I had one guest recently who is a perfect example of the power your smile has. 

Sade, a guest of mine, had so little confidence in her smile that she always worked in back-office positions so she didn’t have to talk to customers. But when she went back to school to train for a new career, she decided that she wanted to give herself the best chance at success. Her exact words were, “I want to be the face of the company!”

Sade had chronic gum infections and by the time she was 22, she had lost all her front teeth.

“After that, it was like a ripple. I just started losing more of my confidence. So, I was like I have to do something about it.”

We used cutting edge technology to give her a brand new smile. And after her treatment, she wept in our office. “I was like this is a whole different person. This is not the same person!”

Sade’s smile problems were very significant and the procedure we employed to fix them was complex. But if you’re not confident in your smile, I have good news. Your smile problems are almost certainly not as severe as Sade’s, and the procedure to fix them will almost certainly be shorter and easier!

  • Sadie Before treatment

    Sadie Before Treatment
  • Sadie After Treatment

    Sadie After Treatment

No Drill Veneers

Introducing: No Drill Veneers

Speaking of shorter, easier options for a better smile.

No drill veneers are a relatively new cosmetic dentistry option that can offer several advantages over traditional veneers.

I just attended an advanced training conference on these veneers in Chicago the first week of March, and I’m really excited to be able to offer this new smile option for our guests. If you’ve considered veneers in the past, here are a few reasons you might want to investigate this new option…

1. Unlike traditional veneers, which require the removal of a small amount of enamel from the surface of your teeth, no drill veneers can be placed without any drilling or removal of enamel. (Sometimes minor contouring might be required).

2. No drill veneers are a minimally invasive option. Because they don’t require any drilling or removal of enamel, the procedure is generally faster and more comfortable than traditional veneers.

3. Because there’s no drilling involved, there’s no risk of damaging the underlying tooth structure, which can help to preserve the long-term health of your teeth.

4. No drill veneers can be more reversible. Because they don’t require any removal of enamel, if you decide to have your veneers removed at a later date, your teeth will still be in their original condition. This can be a reassuring factor for those who are hesitant to commit to a permanent cosmetic treatment.

5. No needles or anesthetic required. Post-procedure tooth sensitivity and “dental trauma” are also not an issue since the procedure is so simple and painless.

6. They cost the same as traditional veneers.

No drill veneers can be a great option if you’re looking to improve your smile without undergoing a more invasive treatment. But they are not for everyone.

If you’re interested in finding out if no drill veneers might be right for you, just call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. 786-577-4180

  • Before and after no drill veneers treatment

    Before and after no drill veneers treatment
  • Before and after no drill veneers treatment

    Before and after no drill veneers treatment

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What Our Guests Say

Less dentistry.  Better health.

Deering Dental - 16709 Old Cutler Rd. Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

OFFICE HOURS

Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday Limited Availability for Select Appointments

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