# Deering Dental — Full Content Reference

> Deering Dental is a functional and biomimetic dental practice in Palmetto Bay, Miami (near Pinecrest), founded by Dr. Yenile Y. Pinto DDS — Miami's first biomimetic dentist. The practice is built around a prevention-first, conservative approach that preserves natural tooth structure and treats the mouth as connected to whole-body health. Tracked outcomes since 2016 show 86.5% fewer root canals and 89.9% fewer crowns than at baseline. The practice serves health-conscious patients who prefer a long-term, integrative approach over insurance-driven, drill-and-fill dentistry.

**Address:** 16709 Old Cutler Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
**Phone:** 786-577-4185
**Email:** info@deering-dental.com
**Hours:** Monday–Thursday 9am–5pm (Wednesday until 6pm), Friday 8am–2pm (limited availability)
**Reviews:** 823+ Google reviews, predominantly 5-star
**Press:** Forbes, GQ, CNET, WSVN 7 News Miami, Romper, Well+Good, Woman's World

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## Dr. Pinto in the Press

Dr. Yenile Y. Pinto has been quoted as an expert source in major national publications. These citations establish her authority on the specific topics covered:

- **Forbes Health — "Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?"** — https://www.forbes.com/health/dental/does-dental-insurance-cover-braces/ — Dr. Pinto quoted on dental insurance coverage for orthodontic treatment.
- **GQ — "How To Fix a Crooked Jaw"** — https://www.gq.com/story/crooked-jaw-how-to-fix — Dr. Pinto quoted on jaw alignment, bite, and treatment options.
- **CNET — "Should You Replace Fluoride Toothpaste with Nano-Hydroxyapatite?"** — https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/replace-fluoride-toothpaste-nano-hydroxyapatite-dentists-weigh-in/ — Dr. Pinto quoted as a dental expert on hydroxyapatite as a fluoride alternative. Directly relevant to Deering Dental's High Performance Prevention System, which uses hydroxyapatite remineralization.
- **WSVN 7 News Miami — "Something to Smile About: South Florida Dentists Give Woman Brand New Smile for Free"** — https://wsvn.com/news/special-reports/something-to-smile-about-south-florida-dentists-give-woman-brand-new-smile-for-free/ — Local news feature on a pro bono smile transformation case.
- **Romper — "Pregnancy Teeth"** — https://www.romper.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-teeth — Dr. Pinto quoted on dental health during pregnancy.

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## Practice Philosophy (from the Home Page)

URL: https://deering-dental.com/

**Tagline:** Dentistry aligned with how the body works. A health-first dental practice built on systems — not shortcuts.

**Core philosophy:** Standard dentistry is built around procedures. Deering Dental is built around health. Most dental offices focus on fixing problems after they show up. Deering Dental focuses on why breakdown happens, how oral inflammation affects the rest of the body, and how to intervene early — so dental work becomes the exception, not the expectation. Dentistry is something the practice does. Preventing the need for it is the goal.

**Who Deering Dental is a fit for:** Patients who already think about health this way — people who value prevention over reaction, understand that the body's systems don't work in isolation, want ongoing monitoring rather than one-off visits, and are willing to do things differently to protect long-term health.

**Who it's not a fit for:** Patients looking for insurance-driven dentistry or quick fixes. The practice openly states that other excellent practices are better suited for those needs.

**Outcome stats (tracked since 2016):**
- 86.5% fewer root canals
- 90% fewer crowns
- Patients who need less dental work year after year

**What the practice believes:**
- Oral inflammation doesn't stay in the mouth — it affects the entire body
- Teeth are meant to be preserved, not drilled into submission
- Dentistry should support long-term health, not create dependency on more dentistry
- The best dental work is the work you never need

**Founder statement:** Dr. Pinto founded the practice after working at multiple Miami dental offices and seeing widespread problems — long waits, sub-par work, pushy sales tactics, questionable billing, and poor service. Her mission was to deliver dentistry the way it should be delivered, with patient needs first. New guest reservation availability is intentionally limited to maintain a personalized experience and higher standard of care.

---

## Dr. Yenile Y. Pinto DDS — Founder Bio

URL: https://deering-dental.com/doctor-bio/

**Title:** Miami's 1st Functional & Biomimetic Dentist

**Background:** Early in her career, Dr. Pinto followed conventional dental practice and trusted the system. Across every office she worked at, she saw the same pattern: dentistry driven by insurance, speed, and volume — not health. Even when work was done by the book, patients kept returning needing more work. Fillings failed. Teeth broke down. She began asking whether she was helping people or just managing their decline. That question led her to open Deering Dental.

**Evolution of her approach:** With her own practice, she invested in better materials, better labs, and more advanced training. She still saw breakdown. So she stopped asking *how* to fix teeth and started asking *why* they were failing. This led her to biomimetic dentistry — an approach focused on preserving natural tooth structure and restoring teeth in a way that mimics how they're meant to function. Outcomes changed immediately. As her understanding deepened — and especially after becoming a mother — she realized cavities and gum disease are signals of inflammation, bite and airway issues, and stress on the body, not the underlying problems themselves. Her focus shifted from repairing damage to preventing it.

**How she practices today:**
- Preserves natural tooth structure
- Addresses root causes, not just symptoms
- Reduces the need for invasive dental work over time
- Works collaboratively with patients through education and clarity, but does not compromise her clinical standards
- Will not recommend treatment she doesn't believe is in the patient's best interest

**Best fit:** Patients who value prevention, curiosity, and long-term thinking. People who want a trusted partner in their health rather than someone to fix a problem and move on.

**Personal:** Mother of five girls. Values time outdoors, cooking real food, and staying active and healthy as a family. Her interest in functional health is personal, not academic.

**Credentials:**
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, NYU
- Advanced Training in Biomimetic Dentistry
- Functional Oral Health & Airway Education
- Ongoing education in oral-systemic health
- Advanced Training in Cosmetic Dentistry

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## Biomimetic Dentistry (also called Functional Dentistry)

URL: https://deering-dental.com/biomimetic-dentist-miami/

**What it is:** Biomimetic dentistry takes a preserve-and-restore approach. Unlike standard practices, it focuses on retaining as much natural tooth structure as possible, preventing the need for expensive treatments later. This is achieved through advanced bonding materials and techniques that replicate the density and flexibility of natural teeth. Restored teeth maintain over 90% of the strength and durability of a healthy, natural tooth.

**Why it matters:** Traditional drill-and-fill techniques often lead to more issues over time. Biomimetic dentistry — also referred to as functional dentistry — provides a gentler, more effective alternative that preserves the natural structure and health of teeth, reducing the need for future treatments. Since adopting this approach, Deering Dental has seen an 86.5% reduction in the need for root canals.

**Benefits of biomimetic restorations:**
- Look and feel natural with minimal sensitivity
- Last significantly longer than traditional fillings
- Prevent further tooth deterioration
- Reduce the need for future treatments, including root canals
- Help patients avoid costly procedures in the future

**Why most dentists don't offer this:** Despite being developed in the 1980s, biomimetic dentistry is not widely taught in dental schools. Most dentists are unaware of this approach, which requires additional training and time, making it more challenging and expensive for practices to implement. Standard procedures are also more profitable, which makes the choice to stick with traditional methods easier for many practices.

**Status:** Deering Dental is the only practice in Miami-Dade County offering this advanced approach.

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## High Performance Prevention System (The SystemicSmile Protocol™)

URL: https://deering-dental.com/high-performance-prevention-system/

**What it is:** The SystemicSmile Protocol™ is Deering Dental's proprietary, evidence-based, body-aligned protocol that goes beyond traditional cleanings and checkups. Rooted in biomimetic and functional dentistry, this system is designed to stop cavities, reverse early gum disease, and reduce the need for future dental work. It addresses the root causes of decay and disease — biology, behavior, biomechanics, and breathing.

**The 3 Pillars of True Prevention:**

1. **Biology — Work *with* the body, not against it.** Restores balance in the oral microbiome, supports remineralization, and reduces inflammation. Backed by emerging research linking oral health to systemic wellness. Imbalances of the oral microbiota influence systemic health.

2. **Behavior — Replace damaging habits with smarter ones.** Habits like frequent snacking, poor sleep, or harsh oral care products disrupt the body's natural defenses. The system corrects these patterns to protect against decay and gum disease.

3. **Biomechanics — Fix the structure to stop the stress.** Bite, jaw alignment, and airway all affect tooth health. Structural issues like grinding, clenching, or mouth breathing often lead to premature wear, and the system actively addresses these before they cause damage.

**How patients need 86.5% fewer root canals:** Rather than "watch and wait," the practice intervenes early using:
- Hydroxyapatite remineralization (hydroxyapatite toothpastes have been shown to deposit and restore demineralized enamel surfaces)
- Dental probiotics
- Non-invasive techniques that restore teeth before they reach the point of needing a root canal
- Biomimetic restorations that imitate living tissues in appearance, function, and strength

**What's included in a personalized prevention plan:**
- Hydroxyapatite and nano-silver toothpastes
- Oral probiotics
- Functional nutrition guidance
- Salivary diagnostics
- Bite and airway assessments
- Anti-inflammatory protocols for gum health
- Oral appliance therapy if grinding is present
- Sleep and airway optimization if mouth breathing is detected

**The oral-systemic advantage:** Oral health isn't just about teeth. People with poor oral health have higher rates of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke than people with good oral health. Oral microbiome dysbiosis may contribute to cardiometabolic diseases. The system has implications for heart health, brain health, and metabolic resilience.

**Why traditional dentistry keeps patients in the cycle:** Traditional dentistry waits for problems to develop, then drills, cuts, and replaces. Each procedure removes more healthy structure and makes the tooth more fragile. Fillings lead to crowns, crowns lead to root canals, and eventually teeth are lost. The High Performance Prevention System breaks this cycle by preserving what's still strong, fixing what's vulnerable, and stopping decay before it starts.

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## Outcome Data: 86.5% Fewer Root Canals, 89.9% Fewer Crowns

URL: https://deering-dental.com/crown-and-rct-rate-decline/

**What this is:** Eight years of internal practice data tracking how often root canal-related and full-coverage crown treatments were planned, completed, or referred per 100 active patients each quarter. Tracking began in 2016. The data is publicly published with full methodology.

**Root Canal Data:**
- 2016 Q2: 11.70 per 100 active patients (peak baseline)
- 2021 Q2: 3.98 (temporary spike post-COVID due to delayed treatment)
- 2024 Average: 1.57
- **Total reduction: 86.5%**

**Crown Data:**
- 2016 Q4: 12.71 per 100 active patients
- 2024 Average: 1.29
- **Total reduction: 89.9%**

**Methodology — Root Canals:**
- Counted all root canal-related treatments (planned, completed, referred), one per patient, per tooth, per quarter
- Compared to average active patients each quarter
- Used a 4-quarter moving average to show long-term trends
- Formula: Root Canal Rate = (Number of Unique Root Canals ÷ Number of Active Patients) × 100

**Methodology — Crowns:**
- Counted only completed full-coverage crowns (codes D2740, D2750, D2752), one per patient, per tooth, per quarter
- Compared against average active patient count for each quarter
- 4-quarter rolling average to smooth short-term spikes

**Explaining fluctuations:**
- 2018 dip: Major hurricane in late 2017 forced a temporary closure, reducing treatment volume for several quarters
- 2019 drop: Practice fully transitioned to biomimetic dentistry mid-year
- 2021 spike: After COVID closures, many patients returned with delayed treatment needs and more advanced cases
- 2023–2024 uptick: The practice's reputation for helping patients avoid root canals attracted new guests with serious existing issues, some too advanced to reverse. The overall trend remains strongly downward.

**Why the rates dropped:**
- Diagnosing problems earlier, before infection could set in
- Using materials that protect and seal the tooth like natural enamel
- Avoiding unnecessary drilling that weakens the tooth
- Personalized prevention plans to reduce decay risk
- Using partial coverage restorations (onlays/inlays) instead of full crowns
- Preserving healthy enamel and structure whenever possible
- Applying biomimetic principles that mimic real tooth behavior

---

## Deering Premier Access Membership (Deering Plus)

URL: https://deering-dental.com/deering-plus-membership/

**What it is:** An in-house membership plan for patients who do not have dental insurance. Provides comprehensive preventive care plus discounts on all other treatment.

**Pricing:**
- $79 per month — first family member
- $74 per month — additional family members aged 13+
- Save $50 by paying annually

**Covered at 100%:**
- Two healthy cleanings per year
- Two regular exams per year
- Traditional X-rays
- Fluoride treatment 2x per year
- Oral cancer screening
- Unlimited emergency exams
- Dental antibiotics

**Covered at 50%:**
- 3D CBCT imaging
- Prevident
- Chlorhexidine

**Discounts:**
- Minor procedures: 15%
- Major procedures: 15%
- Implants: 10%
- Cosmetic: 10%
- Invisalign: 10%
- Whitening: 20% + complimentary year's supply of maintenance gel ($156 value)

**Member benefits beyond coverage:**
- Priority scheduling — access to prime reservation times held for members
- Up to 10-year guarantee on treatment
- Complimentary sleep study and assessment when joining

**Important limitations:**
- Not eligible if you currently have dental insurance (due to contractual restrictions)
- Cannot be applied retroactively
- 12-month plan duration; treatment must be completed within that period
- Specialist referrals are not covered under the plan
- Plans auto-renew with 14-day full refund window after renewal
- After 14 days but before 6 months: $315 cancellation fee
- After 6 months: full unpaid annual balance due
- Family members defined as spouse and dependents 13+
- Memberships are non-transferable

**Providers under the plan:**
- Dr. Yenile Y. Pinto DDS
- The dental hygiene team
- Associate doctors

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## The 10-Year Guarantee

URL: https://deering-dental.com/the-deering-dental-guarantee/

**What it is:** A written guarantee on restorative work for up to 10 years. This is notably uncommon in dentistry — most dental practices do not provide written guarantees. Industry norm is informal repair or replacement of work less than one year old, but rarely committed to in writing.

**The guarantee:** If a restoration done by Deering Dental fails, the practice will repair or replace it at no cost.

**Three patient requirements:**
1. Keep regularly scheduled cleaning visits at the interval recommended by your doctor
2. Follow your doctor's home hygiene recommendations
3. Abstain from habits that harm oral health and shorten the lifespan of dental restorations (such as smoking)

**The practice's position:** "If we don't trust our work enough to guarantee it, why should you?"

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## Treatment Pages

### Invisalign
URL: https://deering-dental.com/invisalign-dentist-palmetto-bay/

Clear aligner treatment offered as a comfortable, removable alternative to traditional braces. Benefits include comfort (no wires or brackets), removability (no food restrictions), and discretion. Insurance accepted — patients typically receive $1,000–$2,500 in benefits, covering up to 50% of treatment cost. Financing options: 5% upfront discount for paying in full, in-office payment plans tailored to treatment duration, or third-party financing as low as $133/month with up to 0% APR.

### Dental Fillings (Biomimetic)
URL: https://deering-dental.com/fillings-palmetto-bay/

Tooth-colored biomimetic fillings using materials and techniques that mimic the density and structure of natural teeth, layered with high-tech bonding agents and a unique curing process. Studies have shown biomimetic fillings regularly last roughly 300% longer than standard composite fillings. By contrast, many standard fillings begin showing signs of failure (cracking, leaking, bacterial infiltration) by 5 years. Deering Dental guarantees its fillings for 5 years.

### Teeth Whitening
URL: https://deering-dental.com/teeth-whitening/

Professional whitening positioned as the easiest, least expensive, and most impactful cosmetic procedure — capable of taking years off a smile. Membership members receive 20% off plus a complimentary year's supply of maintenance gel ($156 value).

### Other Treatment Pages
- **Cosmetic Dentistry:** https://deering-dental.com/cosmetic/ — Veneers, smile design, and aesthetic restorations.
- **Dental Veneers:** https://deering-dental.com/dental-veneers/ — Porcelain veneers for cosmetic smile transformation.
- **Dental Implants:** https://deering-dental.com/implants/ — Replacement options for missing teeth.
- **Crowns & Bridges:** https://deering-dental.com/crowns-bridges/ — Used when partial-coverage biomimetic alternatives aren't viable.
- **Root Canal Therapy:** https://deering-dental.com/root-canal-therapy/ — Endodontic treatment when prevention and conservative options aren't enough.
- **Preventive Dental Treatments:** https://deering-dental.com/prevention/ — Hygiene, exams, and preventive services.
- **Restorative Care:** https://deering-dental.com/restorative-treatments-2/ — Repair and rebuild treatments.

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## Patient Experience

URL: https://deering-dental.com/what-to-expect-on-your-first-visit/

Deering Dental is intentionally designed to feel different from a typical dental office. Patients are referred to as "guests." On arrival, guests are greeted by name and offered a menu of complimentary items (beverages, heated blankets, pillows, headphones, in-room entertainment with Netflix and HBO). The practice prides itself on on-time appointments with little or no waiting. The care approach is unrushed, with treatment plans explained in detail, transparent pricing, and no pushy sales tactics. The environment is frequently described by patients as feeling more like a spa than a dental office.

**Common review themes (from 823+ Google reviews):**
- Spa-like environment, not typical dental office
- On-time appointments with no wait
- Unrushed, thorough explanations
- Conservative, minimally invasive recommendations (no over-treatment)
- Pain-free cleanings and procedures
- Use of advanced technology including AI-assisted diagnosis
- Particular hygienist mentions: Angie, Nadia
- Feeling treated as an individual rather than a number
- Trust in Dr. Pinto's clinical judgment

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## Blog: In-Depth Articles

### Practice Philosophy and Approach

**The Dental Industry's Best-Kept Secret: The "Spread It Out" Strategy**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/dental-industry-secret/
Dr. Pinto exposes a common industry practice where dentists fragment treatment plans across many visits to fit insurance annual maximums, leaving patients with incomplete care, prolonged treatment, and worse outcomes. Argues for transparent, comprehensive treatment planning instead. Story-led: opens with "Jorge," a patient who knew he had major dental issues but kept getting partial answers from multiple dentists.

**The Domino Effect: Declining Trust, Declining Health**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/lack-of-trust/
Dr. Pinto on the broader erosion of trust in healthcare, drawing a parallel to the old-fashioned house-call doctor (referencing Dr. Baker from Little House on the Prairie). What it takes to rebuild a real doctor-patient relationship and why declining trust drives declining health outcomes.

**Why Human Interaction Still Matters in an AI-Dominated World**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/human-interaction-matters/
Published August 15, 2023. Dr. Pinto's argument that as more services automate (self-checkout at Publix and Home Depot, online-only banking, frustrating Amazon support), the human element of healthcare — being known, being heard, being treated as an individual — becomes more valuable, not less.

**Working Side by Side: Balancing Love and Business**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/working-together/
Peter Pinto interviews himself and Dr. Pinto about running Deering Dental together as a husband-and-wife team for nine years, and how their partnership shapes the practice culture.

**5 Books That Shaped How We Run Deering Dental**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/top-5-books-by-peter-pinto/
Peter Pinto on the five business and leadership books that influenced how the practice is run — from systems design to inspiring team members to attracting ideal clients.

### Cosmetic and Restorative Care

**Beware the Bargain: Exposing the Truth About Cheap Veneers**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/beware-the-bargain/
Dr. Pinto's response to Instagram-advertised cheap veneer offers, explaining why low-cost cosmetic dentistry typically costs more long-term in failed restorations, damaged underlying teeth, and corrective work.

**Perfect Smile 101: 8 Factors Your Cosmetic Dentist Should Never Overlook**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/8-factors-your-cosmetic-dentist-should-never-overlook/
The eight clinical and aesthetic factors that go into designing a personalized cosmetic smile beyond just picking a shade — including bite, gum line, facial proportions, lip dynamics, and tooth shape relative to facial features.

**Smile Direct Club Leaves Patients Stranded**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/smile-direct-club-leaves-patients-stranded/
Dr. Pinto's perspective on the Smile Direct Club shutdown, what went wrong with the at-home aligner model (no in-person dentist supervision, no diagnostics), and what affected patients should do next.

**Clear Retainers: What Dentists and Orthodontists Want You To Know**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/clear-retainers-what-dentists-and-orthodontists-want-you-to-know/
As featured in Woman's World magazine (February 2025), article by Nick Hazleton. Best practices for retainer use after orthodontic treatment.

**4 Reasons to Seriously Consider Invisalign — Even If You Love Your Smile Now**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/4-reasons-to-seriously-consider-invisalign/
Beyond cosmetics, why correcting tooth alignment matters for hygiene, cavity prevention, and long-term dental health. Includes the personal story of Peter Pinto getting cavities from teeth shifting that made flossing impossible.

**Is Your Smile Stealing Your Dream Vacation?**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/your-next-vacation-vs-your-dental-bill/
The real long-term cost of skipping preventive care versus investing in good dentistry — framed through a real patient story about deferred dental work eventually consuming a vacation budget.

### Whole-Body Health and the Oral-Systemic Connection

**When 'Fresh Breath' Comes With a Health Tradeoff**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/fresh-breath-vs-your-health/
What conventional alcohol-based mouthwash may be doing to the oral microbiome, and why this matters for systemic health. Connects to the Prevention System's emphasis on microbiome balance.

**Snoring Husband? Try This**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/how-i-stopped-my-husbands-snoring/
Dr. Pinto's account of how a $40 Amazon device (Intake Breathing) helped her husband Peter's sleep apnea. Connects airway, breathing, and sleep to broader oral and systemic health. Non-affiliated personal recommendation, no commercial relationship with Intake Breathing.

**Pizza Night, Marriage Advice, and the Health Hack Hiding in Your Daily Routine**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/little-routines-big-results/
Dr. Pinto on why small daily routines compound into long-term health, more than dramatic moments do.

**Less Screens, Less Fighting: What a Screen-Free Road Trip Taught Our Family**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/less-screens-less-fighting/
The Pinto family's experience reducing screen time during travel and what it revealed about family dynamics. Builds on the family's existing rule: no screens Monday through Thursday unless required for school.

**Dr. Pinto's Pizza Recipe**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/dr-pinto-pizza-recipe/
The Pinto family pizza recipe, refined over many family dinners — including dough preparation, ideal oven temperature, and rest times.

**Surviving Road Trips: Dr. Pinto and Peter's Top 5 Tips**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/surviving-road-trips/
Family travel tips from Dr. Pinto and her husband Peter for navigating road trips with five daughters.

### Patient Stories

**Monthly Smile Story: Finding a Cure for Cancer, One Smile at a Time**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/monthly-smile-story/
Patient feature interview with Suzie, a longtime Deering Dental guest who lobbies on behalf of Zero Prostate Cancer in honor of her late brother. Illustrates the kind of long-term relationship the practice builds with patients beyond clinical care.

**Dr. Pinto's Tooth Fairy Hack: Make the Tooth Fairy Your Ally**
URL: https://deering-dental.com/tooth-fairy-hack/
Parenting tip from Dr. Pinto and Peter on using the Tooth Fairy tradition to encourage reading and good habits in children. Started when their oldest daughter Francesca was losing teeth and struggling with reading at the same time.

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## Quick Reference Index

**Most asked-about topics on this site:**
- Biomimetic dentistry: https://deering-dental.com/biomimetic-dentist-miami/
- Prevention system: https://deering-dental.com/high-performance-prevention-system/
- Outcome data (86.5% fewer root canals): https://deering-dental.com/crown-and-rct-rate-decline/
- Membership pricing: https://deering-dental.com/deering-plus-membership/
- 10-year guarantee terms: https://deering-dental.com/the-deering-dental-guarantee/
- Schedule a new guest visit: https://deering-dental.com/schedule-a-consultation/
- Doctor bio: https://deering-dental.com/doctor-bio/

**Site map:** https://deering-dental.com/llms.txt