General Dental Services

Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD has the experience and expertise to help his patients maintain optimal oral health. Dr. Steinfeld creates dental health plans for his patients and works with them on improving their current oral care habits. If you experience tooth sensitivity, notice blood in the sink when you brush, or oral discomfort of any kind, schedule a consultation to improve your overall oral health.

Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD provides individualized care to patients who qualify for dental implants, dental bridges, braces, and smile makeovers with preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. He also treats patients who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease and assists patients in understanding the benefits of teeth whitening. At our dental practice, our staff is always welcoming new patients regardless of age. Dr. Steinfeld can also review medical conditions and medications you may be taking that would impact your dental health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding general dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Halloween Tips

We hope all the patients at Dr. Steinfeld’s Lake Worth dental office have a safe and happy Halloween! The holiday season is filled with sugary snacks and drinks which obviously make tooth decay a concern. To reduce their chances of having their festivities ruined by a toothache, we thought our patients would appreciate some advice on healthier choices.

Besides candy, sugary treats such as apple cider, cream and chocolate-filled coffees, popcorn, and pumpkins and winter squash abound at this time of year. But the amount of sugar in any particular food isn’t the main problem. The issue comes from how long teeth are exposed to sugar. A hard candy that has to be sucked on will leave a lot of sugar on the teeth, as will a sugary drink that is consumed slowly without sips of water in between. Of course, sticky candy is likelier to get lodged in between teeth or in crevices (and could also dislodge fillings or orthodontic brackets).

We advise people to limit consumption of candy to regular mealtimes. The mouth is producing more saliva then, which will help wash sugary residue off teeth. People should also try having fluoridated bottled water on hand for the same reason. Chewing sugar-free gum will dislodge some food debris if the patient won’t have an opportunity to do a proper brushing until several hours later. Hard candies flavored with xylitol are a tooth-friendlier option than those flavored with sugar.

Dr. Richard A Steinfeld is located at 6169 S Jog Rd., Suite B2, Lake Worth, Florida. To schedule an appointment, call 561-965-3933 or visit RAS DMD.

Effective Brushing Technique

Dr. Richard Steinfeld understands that brushing your teeth becomes so second-nature that you may not realize how ineffective your oral hygiene routine may be. What you need to be aware of is that periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, a colorless film which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. By thoroughly brushing and flossing daily you can remove these germs and help preserve your smile for years to come. Therefore, the next time you step in front of the sink to clean those pearly whites you should utilize these brushing tips.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Dental Implants

At the dental practice of Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, we save teeth and restore patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about dental implants and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Night Guards for Bruxism

Bruxism is the term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  Chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Some teeth grinders only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Nocturnal bruxism can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as sleep apnea. For a proper diagnosis, visit Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD for a consultation.

A custom night guard is the best way to protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding.  We provide patients with custom night guards by first taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is used to fit a custom product that protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw, which also helps improve sleep.  Night guards are durable and with proper care can last 10 years!

To learn more about night guards and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is an involuntary suspension of breathing that occurs while a patient is asleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious and life-threatening consequences including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, automobile accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel, diabetes, depression, and other ailments. This is why Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, can offer a wide variety of options to patients who are diagnosed with this disorder.

It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on your own since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you are asleep. Although chances are your partner will identify it for you since you’ll likely be disturbing their sleep.  The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, Dr. Steinfeld may suggest a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedure as a last resort. UPPP is a procedure used to remove excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep apnea, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Cosmetic Dentistry: Teeth Whitening

A professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedures to receive. Unlike home-use whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening takes place under carefully monitored conditions to allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel. To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, utilizes a tray whitening system.

The tray whitening system is completed in two steps. The first step is to make an impression of your teeth. With this impression, we’ll craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over again. In-office bleaching is not a permanent solution. Shortly after treatment is completed, the teeth resume accumulating stains. Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, recommends home maintenance follow-up with a lower-percentage bleach that can be kept on the teeth for longer periods of time.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding cosmetic dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Pediatric Dentistry

At the dental practice of Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, we are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled between when the first baby tooth appears, and the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth. Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development. 

Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Keeping Up With Regular Cleanings

It is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry to have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. At the practice of Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, we want patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about teeth cleanings and all the services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Dental Crowns

If you have weak teeth that need restoration, a dental crown may be what you’re looking for. A dental crown has the ability to strengthen a tooth by placing a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth enamel remaining to hold the filling. Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD offers this service at his practice and would like to let you know what to expect if you require one.

If you are a candidate for a dental crown, Dr. Steinfeld will need to prepare the tooth for the crown first. This may involve taking a few X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. Once an impression of the tooth is made, a temporary crown will be placed while the final restoration is created in a dental laboratory. Once the permanent crown is ready, the patient will have their final appointment to have it placed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental crowns, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

ClearCorrect Dental Braces

If you want straighter teeth but are concerned about how you’ll look with braces, then ClearCorrect braces may be an option for you. Rather than relying on the traditional brackets and wires of braces, ClearCorrect utilizes a series of clear, soft, BPA-and phthalate-free plastic aligner trays. At the dental practice of Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, we will suggest an orthodontic appliance suitable for your needs.

Often, adults who desire a straighter smile but want to avoid “metal mouth” will choose to go the clear aligner route. ClearCorrect treatment involves four phases of aligner therapy. Each phase requires a new set of aligners that are worn for a three-week period. The time between each phase allows for control and flexibility. ClearCorrect aligners are removed while eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, allowing the patient more oral freedom than traditional braces. ClearCorrect addresses most misalignment issues such as crowded teeth, the spacing between teeth, overbites, underbites and crooked teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Details on Dental Implants

A mouth full of missing teeth can be detrimental to a person’s self-esteem. It can also affect the way that they chew and speak. Fortunately, restorative options such as dental implants are available, and Dr. Richard Steinfeld DMD offers them to patients. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth.

A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. A dental implant is the most naturally-looking option to replace teeth and it will help restore function as well as aesthetic appearance. This method of treatment is the only dental restoration option that preserves natural bone, helping to stimulate bone growth. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants or restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can restore a person’s smile, the ability to properly chew and speak, and help maintain the shape of the face. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and false tooth/teeth in between. Also known as a fixed removable denture, bridges can be supported in any of three ways: by natural teeth, by implants, or by a combination of teeth and implants. To determine which restorative option is best for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD.

Dental bridges, also known as fixed removable dentures, are a great way to replace missing teeth because your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge will make eating and speaking easier. Dental bridges can last up to fifteen years. If you decide on a dental bridge, it is important to keep remaining teeth healthy and strong with proper oral care habits.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dentures or restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Dentures

If you desire a smile makeover to replace missing teeth, dentures are a cost-efficient and comfortable option to do so. Dentures are false teeth made to replace teeth that have been lost due to dental decay, or trauma. There are two different types of dentures that Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, offers at his dental practice – full dentures and partial dentures – to decide which is best for you, schedule a consultation.

Complete (full) dentures are used if you’re missing teeth in your upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) jaws. Partial dentures are used on patients who only have some teeth missing on either jaw. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while partial dentures fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent other teeth from shifting position. Your dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them, however, you will decrease your risk of periodontal disease as well as ease the stress of your jaw while wearing them.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dentures or restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933. 

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dental services will help you care for your teeth for life. By brushing and flossing at least twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and incorporating a mouth rinse into your oral care routine, you can prevent periodontal disease, bad breath, tooth decay, and other dental diseases. Most importantly, to maintain this healthy mouth, it’s best to visit Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, twice a year for routine cleanings and oral exams.

The most important part of keeping your teeth healthy is by brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Doing so will allow you to maintain optimal oral health, avoid cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion. In addition to a good oral care routine, your diet plays a role in oral health. If you’re in the mood to snack, reach for something in one of the five foods group categories that will keep teeth strong such as lean protein, or dairy products. They contain vitamins that are important for oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www. rasdmd.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Steinfeld, DMD, in Lake Worth, FL, call 561-965-3933.