Jorge R. Blanco, D.D.S.
Dr. Jorge Blanco is celebrating two milestones this year: a practitioner of general dentistry for 30 years and the tenth year in his South Miami office on Red Road. Practically a native Floridian (his parents moved to Miami when he was two), Dr. Blanco attended Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Loyola University (Bachelor of Science) and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.
When asked why he chose to become a dentist, Dr. Blanco said, “I was always interested in the medical field and dentistry sounded like a nice profession.”
In his general practice, Dr. Blanco also offers his patients cosmetic dentistry. In 2008, he became the first dentist in Miami to have been accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The AACD was founded in 1984 to standardize credentials in the then-new field of cosmetic dentistry. . . The organization has accredited practitioners in over 70 countries and offers educational opportunities, promotes and supports the accreditation process, provides information, and is a forum for the exchange of ideas.
In his 30 years of practice, Dr. Blanco has seen changes in the field concerning his patients, the technology, and new materials. His patients are more educated about their dental health and more concerned about the appearance of their teeth. The technology has been improving at what he called “lightning speed.” For instance, taking an impression no longer involves the “goop” of the past. A digital scanner has made the task of developing a mold of the patient’s tooth a less time-consuming process and infinitely more accurate.
“There are very few adjustments and we can get a very precise color match,” said Dr. Blanco.
In the arena of dental materials, perhaps one of the great breakthroughs is the creation of a composite resin for filling dental caries (cavities). The resin can be accurately color matched to the patient’s tooth, and it makes the tooth stronger.
Treating the whole patient is important to Dr. Blanco, as is helping to improve their lives. If a patient is interested in having a brighter smile, tooth whitening may be in order. Dr. Blanco uses a dental camera to take before and after treatment photographs of the patient’s teeth to record the progress.
Patients are receiving better overall care than their parents because there is much more information available. Proper tooth alignment and a regular bite are not just a matter of looking like a movie star. Misaligned teeth can lead to other dental health issues as one grows older. Also, it is confirmed that maladies such as gum disease can have an impact on a patient’s overall health.
Dr. Blanco believes it it critical for the patient to be a participant in the care of his or her teeth. Flossing, brushing, annual checkups and regular cleaning (prophylaxis) are up to the patient. Also, it is a good idea to avoid those things that jeopardize your “pearly whites,” such as tobacco (especially cigars), too many sugary and acidic “health” drinks, and tea.
Dr. Blanco is also a lecturer and a clinical instructor with the Rosenthal Institute’s Aesthetic Advantage Program at New York University. . . His practice, Images Dentistry, is located at 7700 Red Road in South Miami. Contact him at 305.670.0352
