Dr. Maribel Carbia, DMD is a General Dentist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults at her clinic in Coral Gables, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Carbia understands the unique dental needs of those 65 years and older, recognizing that general dentists play a vital role in the overall health of this population. She specializes in managing age-related dental issues like dry mouth and gum disease, and collaborates with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal oral and overall well-being. She is currently welcoming new patients and they are encouraged to call (305) 666-0006 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Carbia's commitment to senior care stems from her rigorous training and extensive experience. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from The University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, followed by her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the UPR School of Dental Medicine in 2006. She completed a residency in General Dentistry at Nova Southeastern University and has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry in the Miami area for over nine years. Dr. Carbia is a member of the American Dental Association and is passionate about continuing education, staying abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry. She completed advanced training in Endodontics and Invisalign and is committed to developing long-term relationships with her patients. Her website is thedentalstudiomiami.com. Dr. Carbia offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Maribel Carbia is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Carbia is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive dental care tailored to their unique needs. She understands the vital connection between oral health and overall well-being, addressing age-related concerns like dry mouth and gum disease while collaborating closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to care. Her dedication to her patients' comfort and independence is evident in her personalized treatment plans.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Maribel Carbia can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Sun Life Financial
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Advantage Plus 20 DHMO
- Advantage Plus PPO
- Aetna
- Alliance EPO
- Ameritas
- Ameritas PPO
- Anthem
- BlueDental Choice & Choice Plus DPPO
- Cigna
- Connection Dental
- Connection Dental PPO
- Delta Dental
- Delta Dental PPO
- Delta Dental Premier
- Dental
- Dental Advantage DPPO
- Dental Choice DPPO
- Dental Complete DPPO
- Dental DPPO
- Dental PPO
- Dental Prime DPPO
- DentalConnect PPO
- DentalGuard Preferred
- Dominion National
- Elite Plus DPPO
- Florida Blue
- Guardian
- Humana
- Humana PPO
- Lincoln Financial Group
- MetLife
- MetLife PDP
- PDP Plus (Preferred Dentist Program) DPPO
- Principal Financial Group
- SimplyBlue
- Total Dental DPPO
- United Concordia
- United Concordia Dental
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Maribel Carbia 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:
- Tooth Demineralization: As we age, our teeth can lose essential minerals, leading to weakening and increased risk of cavities; however, regular dental checkups and treatments can help maintain strong and healthy teeth.
- Tooth Decay: Maintaining good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings, are essential steps to prevent tooth decay and ensure a healthy smile throughout your golden years.
- Misaligned Teeth: If your teeth are misaligned, it may make it harder to clean them thoroughly, increasing your risk of gum disease. Your dentist can help improve your oral health and make cleaning easier.
- Toothache: That nagging toothache can make eating and sleeping difficult. Your dentist can diagnose the problem, such as a cracked tooth or abscess, and offer solutions to restore your oral health and overall well-being.
- Gingivitis: Maintaining healthy gums is crucial as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, can be prevented or reversed with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, improving overall comfort and oral health.
- Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can make eating and speaking difficult, but your dentist can help stabilize them or replace them with comfortable, secure options to maintain your independence.
- Tooth Loss: Tooth loss, a common concern as we age, can be managed effectively with various replacement options like dentures, bridges, or implants, improving chewing, speaking, and overall confidence.
- Broken Tooth: Dealing with a broken tooth can be painful and frustrating, but with prompt dental care, such as a filling, crown, or extraction, your dentist can alleviate discomfort and improve your smile.
- Cavity: That bothersome cavity is a sign of tooth decay that needs attention; your dentist can easily fill it to stop the decay, prevent future problems, and maintain your ability to enjoy eating.
- 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 Abscess: A tooth abscess is a painful infection that can affect your ability to eat and sleep comfortably; timely treatment from your dentist will greatly improve your quality of life.
- Tooth Discoloration: Tooth discoloration, a change in your teeth's color, can be addressed by your dentist through professional cleaning, whitening treatments, or veneers to restore a brighter smile and boost your confidence.
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. Maribel Carbia offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Composite Fillings: Composite fillings offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for repairing decayed or damaged teeth, enhancing your smile and confidence.
- Restoration of Dental Implants: By restoring your dental implants, you're actively participating in a comprehensive oral health plan that prioritizes function, comfort, and longevity.
- Teeth Extraction: As a preventative measure, removing a tooth that's beyond repair can prevent the spread of infection to neighboring teeth or other areas of the body.
- Upper Dentures: Upper dentures address tooth loss, a common issue in seniors, allowing for easier eating and a healthier diet, contributing to their well-being.
- Denture Repair: Addressing denture problems promptly through repair helps avoid more extensive or costly procedures down the line.
- Teeth Whitening: Incorporating teeth whitening into your dental care can help you maintain a beautiful smile throughout your senior years.
- Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Ultrasonic dental cleaning uses high-frequency vibrations to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar, helping prevent gum disease and cavities, a crucial step in maintaining your oral health as you age.
- Dental Inlays: Dental inlays are custom-made fillings that help restore damaged teeth, ensuring a strong and healthy bite for seniors.
- Dental Bridge: In your senior care journey, a dental bridge serves as a long-term solution, preventing further jawbone resorption and improving your ability to eat comfortably and enjoy life's flavors.
- Dental Bonding: To enhance the longevity of your natural teeth, bonding can be used to cover minor imperfections and strengthen weakened tooth enamel.
- Root Planing: Root planing is an important step in creating a long-term dental care plan, addressing gum disease, a condition that can affect your overall health and well-being.
- Non-Surgical Gum Treatment: Non-surgical methods can reverse early gum disease, keeping your teeth strong and your smile healthy for years to come.
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. Maribel Carbia 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:
- Grandma enjoyed her morning coffee and her crossword puzzle again, without the discomfort of loose teeth and painful chewing. Regular dental checkups and treatments had restored her ability to enjoy these simple pleasures.
- Grandma beamed as she once again enjoyed her favorite crunchy apples, a simple pleasure restored with regular dental checkups and improved oral hygiene. Her family felt a sense of relief knowing she could comfortably eat the foods she loved.
- A senior felt a renewed confidence in their smile and ability to eat their favorite foods, thanks to a dentist's guidance in straightening their misaligned teeth. Improved oral hygiene led to a significant decrease in gum issues.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She 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. Maribel Carbia:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Dr. Carbia's practice emphasizes the critical link between oral and 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 is essential for maintaining not only healthy teeth and gums, but also overall health and 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 can significantly increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva is the body's natural defense against cavities, so it's important to manage dry mouth. Dr. Carbia can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to help.
- 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. Years of brushing can also wear down enamel. Dr. Carbia can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other issues like cavities or cracks.
- Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush or floss?
- No, healthy gums should not bleed. Bleeding when brushing or flossing is usually the first sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can progress to more serious periodontitis if not treated. This is often reversible with a professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene, and Dr. Carbia can help create an effective and gentle home care routine.
- My dentures don't fit as well as they used to. What can be done?
- Over time, the jawbone and gums naturally change shape, causing dentures to loosen. Dr. Carbia can reline your dentures to create a snugger fit, or make a new set if the current ones are significantly worn. A proper fit is essential for comfortable eating and speaking.
- What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
- A filling is like a patch to repair a small area of damage, like a cavity. A crown is like a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth, used when a tooth is more severely damaged, cracked, or has had a root canal, to provide strength and protection.
- 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. Carbia will visually inspect your mouth and throat for any unusual sores or discolorations and gently feel your jaw and neck for lumps. Early detection is key to successful treatment.
- Are dental implants a safe and good option for older adults?
- Dental implants are often an excellent solution for older adults with sufficient jawbone health. They provide a secure, long-term way to replace missing teeth, anchoring a crown, bridge, or even a full denture and preventing slipping. This is a great investment in restoring chewing ability and confidence.
4100 Salzedo St Ste 20
Coral Gables FL 33146
Phone: (305) 666-0006
Dr. Maribel Carbia, DMD 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): 1174799001
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. Maribel Carbia 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.