Dr. Steven Hochfelder, DMD is a General Dentist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults, 65 years and older, at his clinic in Lake Mary, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under 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. Hochfelder is committed to this vital aspect of senior health care.
Dr. Steven Hochfelder, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Lake Mary, FL and has over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from University of Florida in 1986, and completed an internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital-University Miami School of Medicine in 1982. With over 35 years of dedicated experience in dental care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is currently welcoming new patients, and they should call (407) 321-8900 to schedule an appointment. Our philosophy is to provide exceptional dentistry of the highest quality in a warm, caring and friendly environment. We offer our five-star service in a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technologies available to make dental visits pleasant and enjoyable. My entire staff have all been with me for a minimum of 12 years. Dr. Hochfelder provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Steven Hochfelder is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Hochfelder 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 connection between oral health and overall well-being, addressing age-related concerns like dry mouth and gum disease while collaborating with other healthcare professionals for a holistic approach. His focus is on creating a comfortable and supportive environment where your loved one feels heard and valued, ensuring their oral health contributes to their overall comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Steven Hochfelder can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Amerigroup (Wellpoint)
Assurant Health
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Golden Rule
Humana
MultiPlan
Tricare
WellCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- GEHA
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Steven Hochfelder 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:
- Chipped Tooth: Don't let a chipped tooth cause you pain or affect your ability to eat; a simple dental visit can often fix it with a filling, veneer, or crown, improving your quality of life.
- Tooth Loss: Losing teeth can impact your ability to eat nutritious foods and enjoy meals, but modern dentistry offers solutions such as implants and dentures to restore function and smile aesthetics.
- Gum Disease: Experiencing bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, or persistent bad breath could be signs of gum disease; seeking prompt professional care from your dentist allows for early intervention and preservation of your teeth.
- Tooth Damage: Tooth damage, such as chips, cracks, or cavities, can be repaired by your dentist to prevent further problems and help you eat comfortably.
- Broken Tooth: A broken tooth doesn't have to mean the end of comfortable eating. Your dentist can offer various solutions, from a simple repair to a more substantial restoration, depending on the severity of the break, ensuring you can continue enjoying meals.
- 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.
- Tooth Abscess: If you have a throbbing toothache and swelling, it could be a tooth abscess, a condition that a dentist can address with treatments like antibiotics and potentially a root canal to save your tooth or an extraction if necessary.
- 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 Discoloration: Discolored teeth might be concerning, but many effective treatments are available. Your dentist can determine the source of the discoloration and recommend a personalized plan to restore the appearance of your teeth and improve your self-esteem.
- Cavity: A cavity, or dental caries, is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay that can be repaired with a filling to prevent further damage and discomfort.
- Toothache: A toothache, that persistent pain in your tooth, is often caused by decay, infection, or injury and can be relieved with a visit to your dentist who will provide the necessary treatment, improving your comfort and ability to eat.
- Tooth Decay: Untreated tooth decay can lead to serious dental problems like infections or tooth loss, negatively affecting your ability to eat and speak clearly. Regular dental care will help prevent such issues and keep you healthy and independent.
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. Steven Hochfelder offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Limited Gum Surgery: Limited gum surgery is a minimally invasive treatment option to resolve localized gum issues and improve the appearance and function of your gums.
- X-Ray: X-rays provide a detailed picture of your teeth and jawbone, assisting your dentist in creating a comprehensive treatment plan for any dental issues.
- Lower Dentures: A well-fitting set of lower dentures is part of a comprehensive dental care plan, helping maintain oral health and overall well-being.
- Maxillofacial Surgery: As part of a comprehensive oral health plan, maxillofacial surgery can help resolve structural problems affecting teeth and surrounding areas.
- Prophy Jet Air Polishing: For seniors with sensitive teeth or those who find traditional cleaning abrasive, Prophy Jet offers a gentler, more effective way to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Endodontic Surgery: In certain cases, endodontic surgery may be recommended to repair a fractured tooth root or address a severe injury, thereby helping to preserve the tooth's function and longevity.
- Dental Onlay: A dental onlay serves as a significant step in preserving your teeth, especially when dealing with larger areas of decay or damage, providing a long-lasting solution in your senior care journey.
- Diode Laser Soft Tissue Treatment: Diode laser treatment helps manage gum disease and other soft tissue problems in the mouth, promoting better oral health for seniors.
- Dental Bonding: To enhance the longevity of your natural teeth, bonding can be used to cover minor imperfections and strengthen weakened tooth enamel.
- Endodontic Retreatment: Endodontic retreatment is a procedure to revisit and repair a previously root-canal-treated tooth, ensuring its long-term health and preventing further infection.
- Dento Alveolar Surgery: Dentoalveolar surgery can improve the success of dentures, implants, or other restorative dental work by addressing underlying bone or gum issues.
- Dental Inlays: Inlays strengthen teeth weakened by decay or fractures, helping your dentist create a comprehensive plan for long-term oral health.
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. Steven Hochfelder 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:
- A senior was able to enjoy crunchy vegetables and her favorite apples again after a chipped tooth was repaired, restoring her ability to eat comfortably. The family felt relieved knowing their loved one could maintain a healthy diet.
- After years of struggling with tooth loss, a senior couple found renewed joy in mealtimes, enjoying a wider variety of foods and laughing with family, thanks to restorative dental care.
- Grandma finally felt confident smiling again, after professional treatment for gum disease significantly reduced the persistent bad breath that had been affecting her enjoyment of meals with family.
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. Steven Hochfelder:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Your oral health is critically linked to your overall health, including your heart. Bacteria from chronic gum disease can enter your bloodstream, potentially increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular dental care is essential for maintaining not only healthy teeth and gums, but also your overall health and wellness.
- 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 dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Hochfelder can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- What is the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?
- A dental bridge is a fixed, permanent appliance cemented to your teeth, while a partial denture is a removable appliance that clips onto your existing 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. Years of brushing can also wear down enamel, making teeth more vulnerable. Dr. Hochfelder can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other problems like cavities or cracked teeth.
- What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
- A filling is like a patch to repair a small area of damage, while a crown is a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth. Crowns are needed when a tooth is more severely damaged, cracked, or has undergone a root canal, providing extra strength and protection.
- Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush or floss?
- Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding when brushing or flossing is usually the first sign of gum inflammation, which can progress to more serious gum disease. This is often reversible with a professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene, and Dr. Hochfelder 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, but vital part of your routine dental exam. Dr. Hochfelder will visually inspect your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and throat for any unusual sores or discolorations, and will gently feel your jaw and neck for any 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, preventing slippage. This is a great investment in restoring chewing ability and confidence.
200 Waymont Ct Ste 130
Lake Mary FL 32746
Phone: (407) 321-8900
Dr. Steven Hochfelder, 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): 1386811388
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. Steven Hochfelder 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.