Welcome to the Monroe, NC dentist office of Dr. Leonard Hess. Dr. Hess is a leading Charlotte dentist for complete oral health care and solutions for dental problems. We provide full dental services for the long-term care of your natural smile. From preventive dental services to smile makeovers and tooth replacement, our team is equipped to meet your needs with compassionate care.
Dr. Hess is nationally recognized as a highly trained restorative dentist and currently serves as the Clinical Director for the Dawson Academy. Having completed the Dawson Academy curriculum himself, Dr. Hess uses the Dawson principles of Complete Dentistry to offer a more comprehensive, diagnostic approach to your oral health needs.
This advanced training enables Dr. Hess to diagnose and treat complex problems often associated with the bite. We can offer a personalized approach to problems and discomfort often associated with TMJ disorders.
Our patients enjoy the benefits of Complete Dentistry, which takes all aspects of your smile into consideration when evaluating your dental health. While stable, healthy teeth and gums are important, the function of the bite and jaw joints is equally important for your overall dental health. All should work in harmony for a bite that is comfortable and lasting dental health and wellness.
Dr. Hess treats dental problems with a comprehensive approach in order to offer a solution that is designed to deliver a lasting result. Just treating the symptoms and not addressing the underlying problem typically leads to a breakdown of your dentistry over time.
Dr. Hess welcomes new patients to join our growing dental family in Monroe. We believe in relationship dentistry and take the time to get to know you as an individual when you visit with us. Regular dental care visits are important for the development of that relationship and enable our team to support the health of your smile.
Through routine dental care, we can develop an understanding of your unique risk factors for disease and any lifestyle habits or medical conditions that may be impacting your teeth and gums. If you are seeking a different kind of dental experience for the maintenance of your smile, we welcome you to schedule a visit with Dr. Hess. We believe that we can offer an exceptional patient experience.
Utilizing cutting edge techniques and technology, he provides exceptional general dental care, advanced restorative dentistry, dental implant services, cosmetic dental treatments, and TMJ therapy services. Natural looking and functional results are always a priority for Dr. Hess and his staff. His relaxed demeanor, individualized care, and attention to detail have earned him a reputation of excellence on a national level.
Dr. Hess spent his educational career in the midwestern part of the country. His undergraduate education was completed at Indiana University. And his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree was obtained from prestigious Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. Dr. Hess maintains professional memberships in:
Dr. Hess commitment to education has continued as a nationally recognized educator. In addition to his Monroe dental office, Dr. Hess has taught thousands of hours of continuing education for his professional peers over the last 16 years. His hands-on courses include advanced development on topics such as cosmetic and functional smile design, anterior preparation design, treatment planning, and functional occlusal concepts.
In 2009, Dr. Hess was honored to become an associate faculty member of the Dawson Academy, a world renowned center for the advancement of dentistry and in 2012 Dr. Hess was honored to become a senior faculty member and in 2020, Dr. Hess was named Clinical Director of the Dawson Academy. Founded by Dr. Peter Dawson, the academy focuses on improving a clinicians skills in the areas of occlusion, TMJ diagnosis, and esthetic focused restorative dentistry. The Academy has locations in St. Petersburg, FL, Chicago, IL, and Chesapeake, VA.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Hess is also a sought after author and has more than 20 major pieces in print. His peer-reviewed educational articles have appeared in journals such as Advanced Esthetics and Interdisciplinary Dentistry, Inside Dentistry, Contemporary Esthetics and Restorative Practice, Vistas, and various online journals. Dr. Hess is a member of the Advisory Board of theVistas publication. He also works with numerous manufacturers and laboratories to evaluate and test new products and technologies.
Charlotte, NC dentist Dr. Hess has surrounded himself with a team of dedicated professionals committed to continuous development and education. They share his vision of providing unparalleled dental care. They too believe it is essential to listen to the needs of the patient and to help them achieve their highest level of oral health. Predictable cosmetic results begin by establishing a solid relationship based on sincere communication and concern. We want you to possess the smile of which you have always dreamed.
New patients often remark in amazement about the amount of time given to them at their visits to our Monroe, NC dental office. When you walk through our doors, expect to be treated like a family member. Be prepared to finally be treated as an individual and not just a number.
Dr. Hess offers dental sleep medicine in Charlotte, NC. This is a growing area in the field of dentistry that focuses on the oral health element of sleep disorders. The science of sleep medicine has shown that sleep apneas are often caused by a blocked airway. This happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses into the airway during sleep. There is a range of factors that can contribute to this problem from neck circumference to large tonsils and jaw structure abnormalities. Treatment for sleep apnea is designed to allow the airway to remain open and facilitate normal breathing.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and would like to find an alternative to the CPAP, oral appliance therapy could be a solution. Dr. Hess can work with you to create a custom oral sleep appliance that will position the lower jaw correctly and keep soft tissue from collapsing into the airway.
Oral appliances for sleep disorders and snoring will fit like a sports mouthguard. They are comfortable and portable, making it much easier to be consistent with your treatment and wear nightly. Dr. Hess will take impressions and work with a lab to create a device that will push the lower jaw forward enough to enable the tongue to relax in a natural position. The effect of the sleep appliance is to open the airway and support better muscle tone in the tongue over time. This will prevent it from falling back into the throat when relaxed.
If you have been told by a medical professional that you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, you are likely a good candidate for an oral appliance. If you are experiencing more severe symptoms or have significant jaw structure issues, the CPAP may be the more effective treatment option. The first step is to schedule a visit with Dr. Hess. He will discuss your diagnosis, medical history, and symptoms.
Treating sleep apnea is of great importance for your overall health and wellness. The effects of sleep apnea over time can increase your risk of sudden stroke and heart attack. Oral appliance therapy can resolve symptoms and give you back an improved quality of life each day.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 22 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestrobert ruffalo
a year ago
Exceptional denist and staff ,my wife wanted me to improve my smile and fix a few dental issues. I decided after several different consulations with many different dentists to use Dr Hess. My date nights are vastly improved because all i have to do is smile . To say the least i`m very pleased and thankful for his professionalism .
Robert M
2 years ago
Been a patient of Dr. Hess for close to twenty years. Enough said!
Lakeside Woodworks
2 years ago
Perhaps the best dental office I have ever been to. The facility is exceptionally clean and very up to date. The staff as well as Dr. Hess are awesome, very personable and always make you feel special. I had extensive work done over a period of time and the end results are fantastic.I can smile and eat with confidence that I have not had for some time.
R G
2 years ago
I have severe TMJ disorder and visited several dentists in the Charlotte area over a 15 year period trying to find some form of relief for difficulty chewing, jaw clicking and good general dentistry. Since I found Dr. Hess, my dental health has improved dramatically. He is honest, caring and compassionate and his facility is super clean and safe. Dr. Hess and his team are the best and well worth my drive to Monroe, NC. I am so very thankful!
Mary Reames
2 years ago
I was under Dr. Hess' Care for over a year to get my teeth "put back together again". He and his staff are outstanding and pleasant to be around. Dr. Hess' attention to detail and expertise are something that he repeatedly proved that I could count on.
Taylor Kastner
3 years ago
I absolutely love coming to Dr. Hess for all of my oral health needs. Both him and his staff are amazing and make you feel so comfortable. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else! They are the best of the best.
Lakeside Woodworks
3 years ago
Perhaps the best dental office I have ever been to. The facility is exceptionally clean and very up to date. The staff as well as Dr. Hess are awesome, very personable and always make you feel special. I had extensive work done over a period of time and the end results are fantastic.I can smile and eat with confidence that I have not had for some time.
R G
3 years ago
I have severe TMJ disorder and visited several dentists in the Charlotte area over a 15 year period trying to find some form of relief for difficulty chewing, jaw clicking and good general dentistry. Since I found Dr. Hess, my dental health has improved dramatically. He is honest, caring and compassionate and his facility is super clean and safe. Dr. Hess and his team are the best and well worth my drive to Monroe, NC. I am so very thankful!
Mary Reames
3 years ago
I was under Dr. Hess' Care for over a year to get my teeth "put back together again". He and his staff are outstanding and pleasant to be around. Dr. Hess' attention to detail and expertise are something that he repeatedly proved that I could count on.
Andrew Currie
3 years ago
I started having major mouth pain after hours and went to an emergency dental office in Charlotte. They advised I had a cracked tooth and needed to pull it. They would pull tooth, pack socket with bone, and in 2 months be ready for implant. It sounded like a pretty rough procedure so I decided to just deal with pain through the weekend and visit my regular dentist Dr. Hess on Monday (today). I called this morning, they got me in right away. Turns out wasn't a tooth issue at all but a gum issue. Dr. Hess numbed my mouth and in 15 minutes had me fixed up. Pain completely and totally gone and I still have my tooth. I was looking at weeks of pain and more dental work had I listened to the completely wrong dentist. Dr. Hess is the best and I highly recommend.
John Burns
3 years ago
My family and I have been patients of Doctor Hess for the past 11 years. His talent as a skilled Dentist shows in many ways. His professional staff will make you feel at ease and assist with any concerns. I recently had Doctor Hess perform a dental implant. I can now eat care free, and not worry about biting parts of my mouth. The implant procedure was painless and I feel great! Thanks to all...... John Burns
Janet Truong
3 years ago
Kind and compassionate staff, almost no waiting time, excellent dentist. Dr. Hess and his team did some excellent work on my teeth, they always keep me smiling!
Wayne Hargette
3 years ago
Dr Hess an his staff gave me my smile back! Deciding to have a complete restoration done was the best thing I have ever done for myself! I fill so much more confident with a great smile! I am so glad that I found Dr Hess. The complete staff is just as talented as he is .Thanks again guys!
Timothy Grismer
3 years ago
After many years, since childhood, of grinding and clenching my teeth while I slept, the consequences resulted in wearing away the top layer of enamel on my six top front teeth on their back side. Ignoring this problem could have eventually led to losing these teeth. That's where Dr. Hess stepped in. He explained the procedure that would keep my core teeth structure and replace those teeth with crowns. I ended up with an amazing set of six front teeth that look totally natural, and much nicer looking than my original teeth. Many friends and acquaintances have been complimentary of my teeth and are really surprised to learn that Dr. Hess had replaced the worn teeth with such a natural look. Thank you Dr. Hess! And his awesome staff! I would highly recommend this procedure for anyone experiencing problems such as mine or for completely cosmetic reasons. Sincerely, Matrell Grismer
Andrew Currie
4 years ago
I started having major mouth pain after hours and went to an emergency dental office in Charlotte. They advised I had a cracked tooth and needed to pull it. They would pull tooth, pack socket with bone, and in 2 months be ready for implant. It sounded like a pretty rough procedure so I decided to just deal with pain through the weekend and visit my regular dentist Dr. Hess on Monday (today). I called this morning, they got me in right away. Turns out wasn't a tooth issue at all but a gum issue. Dr. Hess numbed my mouth and in 15 minutes had me fixed up. Pain completely and totally gone and I still have my tooth. I was looking at weeks of pain and more dental work had I listened to the completely wrong dentist. Dr. Hess is the best and I highly recommend.
John Burns
4 years ago
My family and I have been patients of Doctor Hess for the past 11 years. His talent as a skilled Dentist shows in many ways. His professional staff will make you feel at ease and assist with any concerns. I recently had Doctor Hess perform a dental implant. I can now eat care free, and not worry about biting parts of my mouth. The implant procedure was painless and I feel great! Thanks to all...... John Burns
kt low
4 years ago
He is always canceling my Monday appointments.
Wayne Hargette
4 years ago
Dr Hess an his staff gave me my smile back! Deciding to have a complete restoration done was the best thing I have ever done for myself! I fill so much more confident with a great smile! I am so glad that I found Dr Hess. The complete staff is just as talented as he is .Thanks again guys!
Janet Truong
4 years ago
Kind and compassionate staff, almost no waiting time, excellent dentist. Dr. Hess and his team did some excellent work on my teeth, they always keep me smiling!
Timothy Grismer
4 years ago
After many years, since childhood, of grinding and clenching my teeth while I slept, the consequences resulted in wearing away the top layer of enamel on my six top front teeth on their back side. Ignoring this problem could have eventually led to losing these teeth. That's where Dr. Hess stepped in. He explained the procedure that would keep my core teeth structure and replace those teeth with crowns. I ended up with an amazing set of six front teeth that look totally natural, and much nicer looking than my original teeth. Many friends and acquaintances have been complimentary of my teeth and are really surprised to learn that Dr. Hess had replaced the worn teeth with such a natural look. Thank you Dr. Hess! And his awesome staff! I would highly recommend this procedure for anyone experiencing problems such as mine or for completely cosmetic reasons. Sincerely, Matrell Grismer
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