“Retractors, drills, burs, probes and excavators. That sounds more like a construction zone then a place to maintain healthy teeth,” says dentist Rene Piedra, DMD (http://www.afraidofthedentist.net). It’s no wonder that according to the National Dental Information Center, 95 million Americans are afraid of the dentist. Odontophobia or being afraid of the dentist is so common that more and more patients are avoiding their dentist appointments or taking unnecessary measures to mask the experience. “Rene Piedra, DMD & Associates have made it a personal mission to eradicate this fear and change the face of dentistry,” says Dr. Rene Piedra.

Known as the “people dentist” in Coral Gables, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach and surrounding areas, Dr. Rene Piedra and his team embrace several practices to help people to not be afraid of the dentist.

• They help patients get to the root of their problem rather then try to offer unnecessary medication by actually listening to patient concerns. Rene Piedra, DMD & Associates established a call center where patients can discuss their anxiety about dental procedures.
• During the appointment, the element of the unknown is eliminated. Patients are walked through the entire process and can choose to view everything on state of the art computer monitors.
• Using the latest in dental technology, regular procedures are now less invasive and easier on the patient.
• Rene Piedra, DMD & Associates’ offices are uniquely set up so that when you come in, you will be welcomed into a soothing environment and greeted with a smile with no chemical smells or drill sounds.
• Patients worried about the cost can relax. Dr. Piedra works with a variety of financial institutions which allows them to offer no down payments and interest free loans.

“It is all really about the people not the teeth,” concludes Dr. Piedra. “Out of all of the patients whom initially got treatment under sedation, more than 90% of them are now able to receive dental care without it! It is always our goal to get the patient past their fears.”

If you have had a bad experience in the past or in your youth or are just afraid of the dentist, Dr. Rene Piedra can help. To find out more information about the services offered by Rene Piedra, DMD & Associates, call their toll-free number at (866) 568-2195 or visit them on the web at http://www.afraidofthedentist.net.

Whether you like it or not, the appearance of your teeth has a dramatic effect on both how others perceive you as well as your own self-image and self-esteem. Studies have shown that a person’s appearance will have a strong effect on their social and career success, by influencing how others perceive them. In fact, over 70% of Americans believe that an unattractive smile can hurt career success. “We believe it is important to help people in their everyday lives by giving them beautiful smiles,” states Rene Piedra, DMD.

While the appearance of the teeth is one of the most important contributors to facial beauty, it is also probably the most often neglected when improvements to appearance are sought. A person with low self-esteem connected to their facial appearance, can often be greatly helped by cosmetic dental procedures. Dr. Piedra mission is “to provide my patients with healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. Having the smile you want is no longer a matter of fate but one of choice.”

What is surprising to most is that no matter what the problem with your smile, there’s a way to make it absolutely stunning.

• Stained, discolored teeth can be whitened
• Crooked, overlapped teeth can be straightened
• Chipped, broken, worn teeth can be repaired
• Unattractive metal fillings can be replaced with natural-looking restorations
• Missing teeth can be replaced
• Gaps between teeth can be closed
• Gummy smiles can be fixed

Smile makeovers have become more common, less invasive, faster and more effective in correcting cosmetic dental problems. “The effect of these procedures can be nothing short of dramatic both in terms of appearance and also in terms of correcting, at least partially, personality deficiencies caused by poor self-image,” says Dr. Piedra and his many happy patients would agree.