Dr. Heather grew up in Sterling Heights and graduated from Adlai Stevenson High School. She attended Oakland University and was accepted into the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry after only 3 years of undergraduate work. Upon graduation, she received many honors and awards including: the Academy of General Dentistry Award for the Greatest Interest, Knowledge and Proficiency in General Dentistry; the American Academy of Oral Medicine Award for Achievement, Proficiency and Promise in the field of Oral Medicine; the Award for Academic Excellence and was a regular member of the Deans List.
In 2019, Dr. Heather was awarded the prestigious Fellowship Award by the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) that recognizes AGD members commitment to excellence in dental education. As a recipient of this award, Dr. Heather has joined an elite group of dentists who understand that great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements. Only 6% of all dentists have achieved this prestigious award, and it symbolizes excellence in the dental profession and a commitment to providing exceptional patient care. Dr. Heather is certified by the Northeast Regional Board of Dentistry. She has held membership in many dental societies and organizations including: the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the Macomb Dental Society, and she served as a committee member for the MDA Special Committee on the New Dentist.
Dr. Heather has completed over 550 hours of continuing education since graduation in 2002 with emphasis on Neuromuscular Dentistry, Complete Health Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry and Periodontics. She is currently studying neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry at The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Dr. Heather also began studying at The Nash Institute for Dental Learning. Her passion is impacting her patients lives and health through optimizing their oral health.
Dr. Karassi has received numerous recognitions throughout her dental career from organizations including the American Student Dental Association for Best Advocacy Initiative, and various academic scholarships for outstanding academic achievement.
Dr. Karassi is certified by theNortheast Regional Board of Dentistry. She has held membership in many dental societies and organizations including, theAmerican Dental Association(ADA), theMichigan Dental Association(MDA), theMacomb Dental Society, and the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD)
At HPS Advanced Dental Care, we strive to provide the most pleasant and enjoyable experience for our patients. Our experienced team of hygienists, dental assistants and front office team members work together to ensure your dental visit is like no other experience youve ever had! We use the latest technology to create and maintain beautiful smiles in a friendly and comfortable environment.
I grew up in Royal Oak and just north of Rochester. I went to Delta College in University Center Michigan. I started working with Dr, Heather when she bought the practice and it became HPS Advanced Dental Care.
I love my patients and their families and watching them grow up and hearing their stories. HPS is a fun family practice and our patients feel like part of our family. We love to work hard and have fun doing it.
I am Samantha, a registered Dental Hygienist at HPS Advanced Dental Care. I had the privilege of joining the team in June of 2019. I graduated from Baker College of Clinton Township in May of 2019 and received my Associates of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. I am also certified in local anesthesia and nitrous administration to help achieve the comfort of my patients. I treat my patients like family and I strive to do my best to ensure their dental needs are met. My most important contributions to this team are my ability to help patients remain at ease, my personable and hard-working character, and my time management. Here at HPS, we believe in a relaxed and comfortable environment for all of our patients.
I have lived in Shelby Township for 23 years, where I currently still reside. When I am not at work I devote my free time to my fur baby, my dog Kailua. My family and friends mean a lot to me and consume a lot of my time as well. I dream to be in the sun and on the water 24/7 where I am at my all-time happiness. Something to ask me about when you come to see us is my favorite vacation spot!
My name is Erin. I grew up in Royal Oak. I attended Kimball High School and went on to the applied science program at Oakland Community College where I received my EMT-B license. I chose to work here at HPS Advanced Dental Care because of how wonderful the staff is and everyone is so supportive and encouraging to one another. I want to part of that type of environment. I love stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, hiking and camping with my husband & adventure buddy. I also spend a lot of time with my camera, or painting, baking, knitting, or crocheting. I have a lot of hobbies. Next time you are in the office ask me about my latest adventure!
At least nine in ten diseases can cause a number of symptoms in your mouth. And this puts your oral hygiene on the front line for identifying and preventing serious health problems from developing silently in your system. From swollen gums, bad breath to burning mouth, various oral symptoms could indicate an underlying health problem.
We are all pretty aware that certain dental issues such as stinky breath, pale gums, swollen gums, among others, can all signify gum disease. However, very few people know that other oral problems could indicate problems totally unrelated to oral health. For instance, eroded teeth may indicate a feeding condition or even chronic heartburn.
If you are currently suffering from gum disease, dont fret! Research has proven that nearly one out of two Americans experience either severe, moderate, or mild gum disease. This equates to 64.7 million people in the United States. Symptoms of gum disease can vary from unhealthy gum swelling, known as gingivitis, to severe bone and tissue damage. And in the most severe gum disease cases, youll lose the affected teeth.
Usually, healthy mouths have lots of mucus, bacteria as well as particles of food that form a somewhat tricky, colorless substance known as plaque. Thankfully, through routine brushing and flossing, you can easily eliminate plaque. However, when plaque forms due to poor dental care, it results in gingivitis, a condition characterized by inflamed and bleeding gums.
Simply put, gingivitis is a mild type of gum disease. You can easily prevent, reverse gingivitis by practicing good oral habits such as brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing daily, quitting smoking, and going for routine dental examinations.
It is also worth noting that when you fail to remove plaque, it will eventually harden and transform into tartar. Over time, this will result in severe bleeding and periodontitis, which is a severe type of gum disease. With periodontitis, your infected gums will ultimately pull away from your teeth, forming small spaces that can potentially get infected. and if the condition remains untreated, the gums, bones as well as connective tissues that offer support to your teeth will become destroyed.
Research shows that some people are at a relative risk of gum disease. Risk factors of gum disease include diabetes, aging, genetic predisposition, hormonal changes among girls and women, certain drugs, smoking.
Treating gum disease is key to curbing more serious oral as well as other health problems. Below we highlight some proven lifestyle as well as home remedies every health-conscious individual should consider.
We all experience bad breath at one time or another, but regular brushing and flossing should get rid of bad breath. But when all your efforts fail to bear any fruit, it could be an indication of severe gum disease. And this is why its vital that you immediately contact your dentist to ensure this problem doesnt impact your teeth and overall health.
On most occasions, your diet is the prime cause of bad breath. In this regard, foods such as spices, garlic, onion, will cause mouth odor for an extended period after you eat them. Those suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, are alcoholics, or regularly eat a protein-dense diet tend to have breadth with fruity or a sweet smell as a result of a severe metabolic problem known as ketoacidosis.
Besides swelling, this particular oral condition can also potentially cause red gums. However, it is imperative to note that a significant number of light- and dark-skinned individuals have pink gums. However, some African and Mediterranean origins have dark gums.
When dental erosion occurs, the tooth surface will gradually wear away. Its important to note that any type of acid can potentially cause the erosion of healthy tooth enamel, including acid from soda as well as citrus fruits. However, the most common cause of acid buildup in your mouth is GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. In case you didnt know, this is a health condition that causes acid to travel from the stomach to the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.
Another potential cause of enamel erosion is bulimia, an emotional disorder that is characterized by an extreme desire to lose weight. Such people usually overeat before undergoing self-induced fasting or vomiting.
Also referred to as xerostomia, dry mouth is a highly prevalent oral problem. Your risk of developing dry mouth increases with age. Its worth noting that there are currently 425 drugs that cause xerostmia as a side effect. However, this condition can also occur due to problems beyond just oral health. For example, its a common symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, scleroderma, and Sjogrens syndrome. If your dry mouth fails to go away after a while, you should consult your dentist. Some clinics can treat dry mouth.
If you currently have a loose tooth or teeth, you must seek immediate medical attention. A loose tooth may be a symptom of infected gums or gum disease, which is a serious dental problem. Bacteria that grow beneath your gum line can potentially cause issues, as well as a bone, breaking down, resulting in your teeth separating from the gums.
And as more bone and tissue get destroyed, the more increasingly you are to lose your healthy teeth as they loosen up and need to be removed. Lastly, if your teeth are loose, its likely that you are having an infection!