The dentists on Orlando magazine’s 2014 Top Dentists list were chosen among the finest in the area by their local peers. topDentists, LLC, a national evaluation firm, conducted an extensive survey, asking local dentists, “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, to whom would you refer him or her?” Dentists and specialists were asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and physical results. Our 2014 list features more than 200 dentists in 7 specialty areas. Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry. A dentist’s inclusion on the list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. The dentists are named alphabetically, by specialty. topDentists and Orlando magazine have made every effort to ensure the list is accurate.
Endodontics
Pedro F. Amador
Central Florida Endodontics
430 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 2
Orlando
407-843-8180 cflendo.com
Travis E. Caissie
Lake Mary Endodontics
440 St. Charles Court
Suite 1000
Lake Mary
407-333-3448 lakemaryendo.com
Mauricio Chavarriaga
East Orange Endodontics
10800 Dylan Loren Circle
Suite 103
Orlando
407-704-7863 eastorangeendodontics.com
Jose Costas
Limited to Endodontics
225 S. Westmonte Drive
Suite 2070
Altamonte Springs
407-682-6474 ltdendo.com
Michael E. DeGrood
DeBary Endodontics
190 N. Charles Richard Beall Blvd.
Suite 104
DeBary
386-668-0999 debaryendodontics.com
Patti A. Dowling
6150 Metrowest Blvd.
Suite 301
Orlando
407-532-9856 dowlinganddowling.com
Charles R. Glosson
Central Florida Endodontics
430 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 2
Orlando
407-843-8180 cflendo.com
Aaron E. Isler
Orlando Endodontic Specialists
610 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 210
Orlando
407-423-7667 orlandorootcanals.com
Keith G. Kanter
4861 S. Orange Ave.
Suite C
Orlando
407-851-2996 kkanter.com
Brad A. Lipkin
Orlando Endodontic Specialists
2855 W. State Road 434
Suite 1021
Longwood
407-788-8880 orlandorootcanals.com
Michael D. Louria
Winter Springs Endodontics
5738 Canton Cove
Suite 100
Winter Springs
407-696-0053 wsendo.com
Darren W. Sinopoli
Clermont Endodontic Specialists
265 Hatteras Ave.
Suite 2
Clermont
352-394-0150 clermontendodontics.com
Jeffrey N. Lang
Lang & Caldwell
890 Northern Way
Suite G
Winter Springs
407-365-6691 langcaldwelldental.com
Charles R. McNamara
Oral & Facial Surgeons of
Mid-Florida
1573 W. Fairbanks Ave.
Suite 300
Winter Park
407-644-0224 ofsmidflorida.com
Ofilio J. Morales
Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery Associates
7352 Stonerock Circle
Suite A
Orlando
407-351-0575 ofdis.com
Ramon L. Ruiz
Central Florida Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
610 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 100
Orlando
407-843-2261 cforalsurgery.com
Zakir Shaikh
Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery Associates
7352 Stonerock Circle
Suite A
Orlando
407-351-0575 ofdis.com
Don E. Tillery Jr.
Winter Park Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery
800 W. Morse Blvd.
Suite 2
Winter Park
407-628-5400 wporalsurgery.com
Scott A. Wenk
Central Florida Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
610 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 100
Orlando
407-843-2261 cforalsurgery.com
Dean H. Whitman
Orlando Oral & Facial Surgery
2045 Lee Road
Winter Park
407-629-4444 oofs.net
Can one brush his or her teeth too hard or too long?
In a word… yes.
Our goal as dentists is to instruct our patients in how to brush and floss their teeth in order to maintain a healthy oral environment. However, too much of a good thing can cause excessive wear and tear on our teeth and gums, resulting in gum recession, sensitivity and other problems.
We recommend only soft or extra soft bristle brushes and fluoride toothpastes with mild abrasives. The newer generation of electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque when used correctly. However, vigorous brushing with a manual or electric toothbrush can still cause damage. Flossing aggressively can also cause lacerations to the gum tissues resulting in gingival recession.
So, what can you do to avoid excessive wear and sensitivity? Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day, but be mindful of your technique. Brushing back and forth will cause wear near the gumline. Use small circular strokes and sweep away from the gums. One good flossing before bed should be sufficient to keep your tissues happy and plaque-free. Most importantly, use a mild toothpaste. Lastly, ask your dentist and hygienist if they notice any signs of excessive wear and what they can recommend to prevent further breakdown.
– Edgar S. Acuña, Acuña Dentistry
Timothy J. Temple
Orlando Endodontic Specialists
610 N. Mills Ave.
Suite 210
Orlando
407-423-7667 orlandorootcanals.com
Stephanie S. Williams
400 W. Morse Blvd.
Suite 102
Winter Park
407-644-4463 endoorlando.com
General Dentistry
Edgar S. Acuna
Acuña Dentistry
1100 N. Kentucky Ave.
Winter Park
407-647-6261
Frank M. Addabbo
Advanced Esthetic Dentistry
6001 Vineland Road
Suite 119
Orlando
407-352-6001 advancedestheticdentistry.com
John C. Adkins
Citrus Tower Family Dental
1381 Citrus Tower Blvd.
Suite 101
Clermont
352-241-4900 citrustowerfamilydental.com
Craig P. Aebli
Kissimmee Family Dentistry
1111 Person St.
Kissimmee
407-870-7404 kissimmeefamilydental.com
Ximena Aldea
Windermere Center for Dentistry
401 Main St.
Suite A
Windermere
407-909-1097 windermeresmiles.com
Darrell R. Alford
1301 Hampton St.
Clermont
352-394-5184
Jorge-Luis Alvarez
Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando
429 N. Ferncreek Ave.
Orlando
407-898-1621 finedentistryorlando.com
Paul A. Andrews
Orofacial & Dental Implant
Surgery Associates
7352 Stonerock Circle
Suite A
Orlando
407-351-0575 ofdis.com
Jorge Angulo
Thornton Park Dental Arts
1200 E. Robinson St.
Orlando
407-896-2881 angulodental.com
Debbie-Ann Bailey
All Smiles Family Dental
1140 Rock Springs Road
Apopka
407-889-8300 allsmilesfamily.com
Steve P. Milios
Smiles by Design
3290 State Road 436
Apopka
407-682-2100 smilesbydesign.cc
Kathryn E. Miller
Classic Dental
2989 Alafaya Trail
Oviedo
407-695-7774 classicdental.cc
Michael Morra
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry of Orlando
425 S. Avalon Park Blvd.
Suite 500
Orlando
407-249-9292
dentistryoforlando.com
John J. Nelson
Rincon Dental Arts
865 Balch Ave.
Winter Park
407-629-2161 jjnelsondds.com
Mark S. Offenback
Wekiva Dental
686 N. Hunt Club Blvd.
Suite 100
Longwood
407-869-7333 wekivadental.com
Charmaine I. Ortiz
Advanced Dental Care at
RDV Sportsplex
8701 Maitland Summit Blvd.
Orlando
321-594-2624 rdvsportsplex.dental-orlando.com
Jeffrey K. Pacha
320 N. Maitland Ave.
Suite B
Maitland
407-647-1346 jeffreypachadds.com
Sophia Parpia
777 Douglas Ave.
Altamonte Springs
407-862-8301 sophiaparpia.com
Bhasker C. Patel
11907 E. Colonial Drive
Orlando
407-381-1960
Richard Petrilli
1585 Rock Springs Road
Apopka
407-884-1846 petrillidmd.com
Rebecca Pitts
Center for Cosmetic &
Advanced Dentistry
3300 W. Lake Mary Blvd.
Suite 250
Lake Mary
407-688-9990 drrebeccapitts.com
Alan D. Price
199 E. Welbourne Ave.
Suite 200
Winter Park
407-645-4645 alanpricedentist.com
Dirk G. Prusia
151 Wymore Road
Suite 6000
Altamonte Springs
407-862-8158
Christopher J. Williams
201 N. Lakemont Ave.
Suite 2200
Winter Park
407-629-0075
Arturo Ydrach
Oral & Facial Surgery Center
7932 W. Sand Lake Road
Suite 109
Orlando
407-352-6301 oralfacsurg.com
Orthodontics
William T. Anderson
Anderson & Moopen Orthodontics
3150 S. Conway Road
Orlando
407-658-0280 amorthodontics.com
Jason A. Battle
Premiere Orthodontics
448 S. Alafaya Trail
Suite 10
Orlando
407-381-3335 premiereorthodontics.com
John R. Beattie
Beattie Family Orthodontics
960 Lake Baldwin Lane
Orlando
407-898-2901 beattieortho.com
Michael A. Beim
Beim Orthodontics
345 Waymont Court
Lake Mary
407-323-0600 beimortho.com
John X. Cordoba
Cordoba Orthodontics
90 Fox Ridge Court
DeBary
386-668-6644 cordobaortho.com
Carl Dann IV
2200 E. Robinson St.
Orlando
407-894-3271 orthodrdann.com
Nelson Diaz
Diaz Orthodontics
4151 Hunters Park Lane
Suite 148
Orlando
407-233-2920 diazorthodontics.com
Richard M. Dunn
Savastano & Dunn Orthodontics
2855 W. State Road 434
Suite 1011Longwood
407-862-1870 centralfloridasmiles.com
William K. Fravel
1291 Blackwood Ave.
Ocoee
407-656-0001 drfravel.com
Richard F. Gill
14500 Gatorland Drive
Orlando
407-857-0800 drrichardgill.com
Robert S. Goldie
7051 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
Suite 9
Orlando
407-363-4800 goldieortho.com
I’ve heard the term “Smile in a Day’’ with regard to dental procedures. What does it mean?
Dentistry has advanced drastically over the last few years making it possible for many procedures to be completed in only one day. This is why “Smile in a Day” has become a popular term to describe the many options patients have if they are unhappy with their appearance. The technology in our office allows us to perform these procedures in a single day.
Some patients are plagued with discolored, chipped or misaligned teeth. Porcelain veneers or crowns can be placed in one day using CEREC technology. CEREC can also be used to replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge. This process previously took weeks to complete.
Whitening, bonding and replacing silver fillings with natural tooth-colored fillings can also be a single appointment smile makeover.
Another term a patient may recognize is the “All-on-Four” dental implant technique. This is an ideal solution for those who have lost, or are about to lose, all of their upper and/or lower teeth. Today, this procedure allows a patient to come as close as possible to having a new set of fixed permanent teeth. Taking advantage of the latest dental innovations, in addition to minimal planning, will create a beautiful “Smile in a Day.”
-Diana Gomez, Southpark Dental Group
Julian W. Behner
Behner Dental Partners
934 E. Altamonte Drive
Suite 1002
Altamonte Springs
407-545-4151 behnerdental.com
Carl D. Bilancione
Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry
2828 Casa Aloma Way
Suite 700
Winter Park
407-678-4000 smilebella.com
David J. Blue
3025 Aloma Ave.
Winter Park
407-671-2300 drdavidblue.com
Nicholas J. Savastano Jr.
Savastano & Dunn Orthodontics
2855 W. State Road 434
Suite 1011
Longwood
407-862-1870 centralfloridasmiles.com
John R. Smith
Smith and Weeks Orthodontics
1350 Tuskawilla Road
Winter Springs
407-699-1102 smithorthodontics.net
Ross Taddeo
Taddeo Orthodontics
1561 S. Alafaya Trail
Suite 100
Orlando
407-482-3700 drtaddeo.com
How is a dental implant used to replace a missing tooth?
The earliest attempts at dental implants for tooth replacement actually date back to the Mayan civilization around 600 A.D. Archeologists have recovered skulls in which teeth were replaced by materials ranging from carved stones, such as jade, to fragments of seashells. Some of these early implants actually fused to the jawbone.
The modern dental implant is nothing more than a titanium screw that is placed directly into the bone where a tooth is missing. A replacement tooth is then attached to it. Titanium screws have been used in other parts of the body for decades, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that dental professionals began to use this same technology for tooth replacement.
At first, the implants were rudimentary and only used in cases that involved complete rehabilitation. But with the advent of more complex surgeries, bone replacement procedures and a better understanding of how the masticatory system works, we have taken giant leaps with dental implants. Whereas root canals, fixed bridges, removable partial dentures and full dentures were once the only available options to repair damage, dental implants have become second nature in restoring complex and simple cases. Not only one but multiple teeth can be replaced. Esthetics is achieved to a level that we could only dream of 10 years ago.
-Jorge-Luis Alvarez, Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando
Kirk K. Cohil
Cohil Family Dentistry
2525 E. Semoran Blvd.
Apopka
407-889-9682 cohilfamilydentistry.com
Charles E. Curley
609 Maitland Ave.
Altamonte Springs
407-830-9800 nlcdentistry.com
C. William D’Aiuto
D’ Aiuto Dental
195 Briar Cliff Drive
Suite 102
Longwood
407-862-2111 daiutodental.com
Kelly C. Mansour
Pediatric Dentistry of Central Florida
1650 N. Maitland Ave.
Maitland
407-628-2286 ibrushteeth.com
Michael P. Marfori
4151 Hunters Park Lane
Suite 124
Orlando
407-859-1418 drmarfori.com
Julie M. Russo
Clermont Pediatric Dentistry
1804 Oakley Seaver Drive
Suite G
Clermont
352-241-6333 clermontpediatricdentistry.com
Jason J. Sotto
3720 Winter Garden
Vineland Road
Winter Garden
407-347-5956 drsotto.com
Is oral sedation safe, and how does it work?
Oral sedation is safe for most people. A thorough medical history review will determine which patients are good candidates. Oral sedation works by slowing down the action of the central nervous system.
People remain aware of their surroundings, but are less responsive to external stimuli, like the sound of the drill or the smell of materials. This also reduces their sense of pain. One of the medications often used has amnesic properties, so patients may not remember details of their visit and often lose their perception of time. This works exceptionally well for long procedures because patients feel as if they have only been in the office for a short while.
Patients take a pill the night before their appointment to help them relax and get a good night’s rest. They take a different medication the morning of the appointment, one hour prior to their treatment time. Nitrous oxide is often used in combination with these medications to enhance the patient’s relaxation during their visit. A driver is required to escort patients to and from the office.
Oral sedation is used successfully both for patients who have anxiety issues and those who wish to completely relax during longer procedures.
Is oral sedation safe, and how does it work?
-Elena C. Puig, Dynamic Smile Design
Bruce Gordy
1216 Edgewater Drive
Orlando
407-422-1130
Mark F. Halek
Spa Touch Dentistry
660 Executive Park Court
Apopka
407-774-4433 drhalek.com
Thomas P. Hand
800 W. Morse Blvd.
Suite 3A
Winter Park
407-647-6633 drthomashand.com
David L. Harden
Harden Family Dentistry
3825 Oakwater Circle
Orlando
407-826-5205 hardenfamilydental.com
John R. Harrison
7463 Conroy Windermere Road
Suite B
Orlando
407-291-3600
Robert B. Hawkins
Springs Family Dentistry
2855 W. State Road 434
Suite 1031
Longwood
407-862-2299 springsfamilydentistrypa.com
Malcolm E. Hawley
731 W. Morse Blvd.
Winter Park
407-647-8384
Alan Heap
Metrowest Family Dentistry
2295 S. Hiawassee Road
Suite 216
Orlando
407-578-3734 metrowestfamilydentistry.com
Paul D. Heidrich Jr.
Smile Winter Park
1950 Mizell Ave.
Winter Park
407-644-4441 smilewinterpark.com
Paul Helsby
Winter Park Smiles
2100 Aloma Ave.
Suite 200
Winter Park
407-678-1601 winterparksmiles.com
Richard J. Zullo
Longwood Family Dentistry
1385 W. Highway 434
Suite 203
Longwood
407-332-6060 longwoodfamilydentistry.com
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Ronald M. Achong
Oral Facial Surgical Arts
3180 Citrus Tower Blvd.
Clermont
352-243-5599 oralsurgicalarts.com
Lincoln Taylor
Pediatric Dental Care of
Greater Orlando
11309 Lake Underhill Road
Suite 103
Orlando
407-208-0288 pdcorlando.com
Nicholas A. White
Lake Mary Pediatric Dentistry
746 Stirling Center Place
Suite 1100
Lake Mary
407-942-0225 lakemarypediatricdentistry.com
Periodontics
Michael Abufaris
201 N. Lakemont Ave.
Suite 600
Winter Park
407-629-6400 winterparkperio.com
David W. Altman
338 N. Magnolia Ave.
Suite C
Orlando
407-843-5677
Isaac Angel
6068 S. Apopka Vineland Road
Suite 2
Orlando
407-351-6907
Richard Chace Jr.
Drs. Chace, Horvat,
and Cohen, PLC
801 W. Morse Blvd.
Winter Park
407-641-3005 periodoctors.com
Gary W. Coatoam
Coatoam Periodontal
195 W. Highland St.
Altamonte Springs
407-865-6363 coatoamperio.com
Scott Cohen
Drs. Chace, Horvat,
and Cohen, PLC
801 W. Morse Blvd.
Winter Park
407-641-3005 periodoctors.com
Gary G. Cook
2718 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando
407-898-9988 garygcookdds.com
E. Alan Dowling
6150 Metrowest Blvd.
Suite 301
Orlando
407-532-9856 dowlinganddowling.com
Is it ever too late to get braces? Do adults generally have to wear braces longer than children?
Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment. There is an increasing trend to improve the look and function of teeth—at any age. About a quarter of the orthodontic patients in the U.S. are adults. You may not realize how common adult treatment has become because of the advancements in treatment options, such as clear brackets instead of the traditional metal, which makes treatment less noticeable. Additionally, many of our patients enjoy using Invisalign, a type of clear aligners.
Adults may fear that their treatment may last longer than a child’s, but often that isn’t the case. An orthodontist is a dentist who attended an additional 2 years of school to study tooth movement, so orthodontists understand the safest ways to move teeth to achieve a beautiful smile. While we all wish for the fastest treatment, an orthodontist works with the goal of maintaining the health of your gums, teeth and their roots. Depending on the treatment method selected and patient compliance, the average treatment time is 1 ½ to 2 ½ years.
-William K. Fravel, Orthodontic Specialist
Thomas Holehouse
Holehouse Center for
Complete Dentistry
3700 Winter Garden
Vineland Road
Winter Garden
407-654-1296 wintergardendentist.com
Dennis R. Horanic
Lake Forest Family Dentistry
5264 W. State Road 46
Sanford
407-328-9398 smileorlando.com
Yanfei Hu
800 W. Morse Blvd.
Suite 3B
Winter Park
407-647-3223
Douglas A. Huhn
1100 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando
407-422-6281
Javier E. Martinez
2702 Rew Circle
Suite B
Ocoee
407-656-8080 smilesoforlando.com
Deepa Mehta
Dental Associates of Lake Mary
1301 S. International Parkway
Lake Mary
407-829-2123 dentalassociatesoflakemary.com
C. Scott Schmitt
Schmitt Prosthodontics
707 Pennsylvania Ave.
Suite 1100
Altamonte Springs
407-395-4817 schmittprosthodontics.com
Jon S. Wilkins
731 W. Morse Blvd.
Winter Park
407-644-0177 drjonwilkins.com
This list is excerpted from the 2014 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 200 dentists and specialists in the Orlando metropolitan area. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com or visit www.usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2010-2014 by topDentists, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists, LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.
