General Dentistry

Fluoride is a natural mineral that fights bacteria and supports healthy tooth enamel, thus helping prevent cavities. Smiles at Doral provides fluoride treatments in which highly concentrated fluoride – more than what’s in your toothpaste or water – is applied to restore minerals to tooth surfaces to inhibit harmful bacteria that may be eroding tooth enamel.

We offer composite fillings for cavities that are made from durable resins similar in color to your natural teeth. Not only are these fillings less noticeable than other types of fillings, but they are also compatible with sealants, enabling Dr. Del Puerto to perform the procedure in a single sitting and preventing further tooth decay.

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth – typically your back teeth (molars). Sealants quickly bond to the depressions and grooves of your teeth, creating a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth and helping to prevent tooth decay.

A tooth extraction is a routine, low-risk procedure performed when a tooth is impacted, broken, cracked, or decayed beyond repair and a root canal, crown, or filling is not an option. This procedure is also used when one or more teeth need to be removed, such as wisdom teeth, before an orthodontic procedure.

Each of your teeth consists of three separate layers: the outer layer of enamel, the dentin in the middle, and an inner layer of pulp where live tissue and nerve is located. Your tooth also has passageways called root canals that contain pulp. If you have a large cavity or if a tooth is fractured, the pulp may be exposed and can become infected. If so, root canal treatment is needed to remove the infected, dead tissue. During the procedure, the affected space is cleaned, disinfected, and filled with special materials.

At Smiles at Doral, Dr. Del Puerto performs root canals with advanced techniques and materials that make the treatment much more comfortable and faster. Once the treatment is complete, Dr. Del Puerto places a crown on your tooth to seal it. Learn more about root canals and endodontics.

Our periodontist is adept at treating gum diseases and conditions including gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis, symptoms of which include red, swollen, or tender gums; bleeding gums, halitosis (persistent bad breath); receding gum line; or loose and shifting teeth. Periodontal treatments include periodontal scaling and root planing to remove the cause of infection and allow gum tissues to heal.

Disorders of the jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ), can cause jaw, facial, and neck pain that often results in chronic headaches and soreness. Proper TMJ function in relation to surrounding structures is vital to your dental health and comfort. Our practice is equipped to diagnose TMJ disorders and offers many options for relief.

There are numerous causes and types of TMJ disorders (TMD). For proper treatment, Dr. Del Puerto must complete a full evaluation of your jaw and bite function to determine the TMJ treatment that is best suited for you.

Dental emergencies happen without warning, and Dr. Del Puerto will accommodate you with a same-day appointment when you just can’t wait until tomorrow to be seen. Learn more about emergency dental care.

Dr. Del Puerto can see all members of your family – including children. We love kids and enjoy teaching them about the importance of good dental hygiene. We offer full-service tooth and gum care for toddlers to teens. Learn more about our pediatric dental services.