Dr. Leuman Pestana, DDS is a General Dentist practicing at his clinic in Hialeah, FL, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults, 65 years and older. He is a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General dentists play a vital role in the overall health of older adults, providing comprehensive oral care, managing age-related dental issues like dry mouth and gum disease, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal oral and overall well-being. Dr. Leuman Pestana is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (305) 694-5400 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Leuman Manuel Barreras Pestana is a dedicated and experienced dental professional with over two decades of experience, having developed a profound expertise in comprehensive dental care, including endodontics, oral surgery, and general dentistry. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in dental care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from College Of Dentistry/Medical Superior Institute Of Camaguey in 2006, followed by an internship at Universidad De Ciencias Medicas De Ciego De Avila Facultad De Medicina (2009). Further specializing in the comprehensive medical care of 65 years and older, he completed a residency in General Dentists at University Of Florida - Advanced Education In General Dentistry Residency, and fellowship training at University Of San Sebastian (2017), deepening his expertise in this specific area of patient health. Dr. Leuman Pestana believes that excellent dental care involves understanding, compassion, and active collaboration with patients. He offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Leuman Pestana is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Leuman Pestana is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive dental care tailored to the unique needs of older adults. He understands the vital link between oral health and overall well-being, addressing age-related concerns like dry mouth and gum disease while collaborating with other healthcare providers to create a coordinated, supportive plan for optimal comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Leuman Pestana can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
DentaQuest
Dental Care Plus
Liberty Dental
Medicare
Ryan White
Also Accepts These Carriers
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Leuman Pestana provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Dental Trauma: Experiencing a broken tooth or injured mouth from an unexpected event? Don't worry; prompt dental care can minimize discomfort and prevent further complications, helping you maintain your independence.
- Misaligned Teeth: Misaligned teeth, or malocclusion, can make chewing and speaking more difficult, but a dentist can help improve comfort and function with braces, aligners, or other solutions.
- Traumatic Dental Injuries: If you've experienced a dental injury, seeking immediate dental attention can make a significant difference. Prompt treatment minimizes the risk of long-term problems, helping you maintain a healthy and happy smile.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease involves inflammation and infection of the gums, potentially leading to tooth loss if left untreated; however, your dentist can provide treatments to stop its progression and maintain your oral health.
- Tooth Loss: If you've lost teeth, don't worry your dentist can help you explore different replacement options like dentures or implants, helping to restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably.
- Tooth Abscess: Experiencing intense pain, swelling, and sensitivity in your tooth? It may be an abscess. Your dentist can provide effective treatment to alleviate your discomfort and prevent complications.
- Dental Spacing: If you've noticed increasing gaps between your teeth, it's a good idea to have your dentist assess them, as this can affect how well you eat and even your overall confidence; treatments like braces or partial dentures can address these issues.
- Tooth Discoloration: Stains or discoloration on your teeth may affect how you feel about your smile. A visit to your dentist can reveal the cause and explore various solutions, such as bleaching or bonding, to improve your confidence and overall well-being.
- Dental Crowding: Having crowded teeth can make it harder to keep them clean and healthy, potentially leading to problems later on; a dentist can help by assessing your specific situation and offering solutions to improve your smile and prevent future issues.
- Tooth Pulp Inflammation: Inflammation in the center of your tooth (the pulp) can lead to significant pain and potentially tooth loss, but prompt dental care with treatments like root canals can often save the tooth and improve your ability to eat comfortably.
- Chipped Tooth: A chipped tooth, a common mishap, can be easily repaired by your dentist, restoring both your smile's appearance and your confidence in chewing comfortably.
- Tooth Demineralization: Tooth demineralization is the loss of minerals from tooth enamel, making teeth weaker and more prone to cavities, but with proper dental care and fluoride treatments, you can strengthen your teeth and prevent further damage.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Leuman Pestana offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Comprehensive Dental Exam: During a comprehensive dental exam, your dentist can screen for oral cancer, a critical step in early detection and successful treatment.
- Dental Imaging: By using dental imaging to evaluate the jawbone, your dentist can ensure the success of dental implants and other tooth replacement options.
- Partial Dentures: Partial dentures help restore your smile and chewing ability by replacing some missing teeth, improving your overall quality of life.
- Dental Bonding: Incorporating dental bonding into your care plan helps maintain the health and appearance of your teeth, boosting your self-esteem and oral function.
- Dental Hygiene Services: Dental hygiene services are key to maintaining your dentures or other dental replacements, ensuring comfort and proper function for many years to come.
- Biopsy: To create a complete and accurate care plan, your dentist may recommend a biopsy to examine a suspicious area in your mouth for signs of disease.
- Dental Crown: To protect a weakened tooth from further damage and prevent future dental problems, your dentist might recommend a dental crown as part of your comprehensive care plan.
- Ceramic Dental Crowns: Ceramic crowns offer a natural-looking restoration for your teeth, providing a long-term solution to protect and preserve the health of your mouth as part of comprehensive dental care.
- Denture Impression: To design comfortable and well-fitting dentures, your dentist will take a denture impression, a detailed mold of your jaw and gums that serves as the foundation for your new teeth.
- Recement of Permanent Crown: Recementing your crown is a simple procedure to restore a proper seal and prevent sensitivity or pain, improving your overall quality of life.
- Dental Onlay: A dental onlay is a custom-made restoration that protects a significantly damaged tooth, preventing further decay and ensuring its long-term health.
- Denture Repair: Denture repair helps restore the proper fit and function of your dentures, improving comfort and chewing ability.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for General Dentists in Florida.
Dr. Leuman Pestana is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After a fall, a senior's broken tooth was quickly addressed, restoring her confidence and ability to enjoy her favorite meals with her family. The prompt dental care minimized pain and prevented further complications, allowing her to remain independent and active in her daily life.
- The senior couple found that, with the dentist's guidance, they could once again enjoy their favorite activity: sharing meals together without discomfort. Their improved chewing function eased their concerns about nutritional intake.
- After careful treatment for traumatic dental injuries, a senior couple regained the confidence to enjoy their favorite evening outings, laughing and sharing stories with ease.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Dental care with Dr. Leuman Pestana:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Good oral hygiene is crucial for overall health. Bacteria from chronic gum disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular dental care isn't just about your teeth; it's an essential part of maintaining your overall well-being.
- My medications make my mouth constantly dry. Is this a dental problem?
- Yes, dry mouth (xerostomia) is a very common side effect of many medications, and it is a dental problem. Saliva is the body's natural defense against cavities, so a dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Pestana can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- Why are my teeth becoming more sensitive as I get older?
- Tooth sensitivity in older adults is often due to receding gums, exposing the tooth root, which lacks the protective enamel. Years of brushing can also wear down enamel. Dr. Pestana can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or evaluate for cavities or cracked teeth that may be contributing to the sensitivity.
- My dentures don't fit as well as they used to. What can be done?
- Over time, the jawbone and gums change shape, sometimes causing dentures to loosen. Dr. Pestana can reline your dentures to create a better fit, or make a new set if your current ones are significantly worn. A proper fit is important for comfortable eating and speaking.
- What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
- A filling is like a patch for a small area of damage, while a crown is a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth. Crowns are used when a tooth is more severely damaged, cracked, or has had a root canal, providing extra strength and protection.
- What is the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?
- A dental bridge is a fixed, permanent appliance cemented to your teeth. A partial denture is a removable appliance that clips onto your existing teeth. The bridge fills the gap with a false tooth, while the partial denture replaces missing teeth with removable pieces.
- Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush or floss?
- No, healthy gums should not bleed. Bleeding is usually the first sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can progress to more serious periodontitis if left untreated. This is often reversible with a professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene, and Dr. Pestana can help create an effective and gentle home care routine.
- What is involved in an oral cancer screening?
- An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless, and vital part of every routine dental exam. Dr. Pestana will visually inspect your mouth and throat for any unusual sores or changes, and gently feel your jaw and neck for lumps. Early detection is key to successful treatment.
750 E 25th St
Hialeah FL 33013
Phone: (305) 694-5400
Dr. Leuman Pestana, DDS is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1023704301
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. General Dentists like Dr. Leuman Pestana are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.