Locations
Courtyard Dental
Provo, UT
Phone
Practice website
Courtyard Dental
Provo, UT
About
Bio
I love the business of people. Making life more enjoyable and pain free. I am a classical musician at heart and play in a community orchestra. I have a Fellowship with the ICOI and member of my local dental association and the ADA. I am nearing retirement age and especially enjoy family.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
73 Answers
22 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Get it checked: If a crown is loose but does not come off, often the cause is not the crown but the tooth under the crown may be fractured. If the tooth had a "root ... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Vary: Usually a white lesion is a good sign and less related to cancer. I get more concerned when i see a red lesion that has been there fora while. But, ... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Herpes virus: Cold sores are viral infections and the virus "hides" in the nerves close to where the ulcer is. That is why they tend to come back in the same locati... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Needs more info: This situation requires a clinical exam and possibly X rays. You really need to have it reevaluated by your dentist.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: Pulpitis or inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth can be quite painful. When it is acute and severe the tooth will probably require endondontic t... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Erythromycin: The choice of antibiotic is up to the doctor performing the extraction if indeed an antibiotic is needed. Not all extractions require antibiotic thera... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: It is normal to show only the top teeth during a smile. As we age we tend to show more of the bottom teeth. It is generally more attractive to show th... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Possibly: Usually, a deep cleaning refers to cleaning the teeth below the gum line. It is considered periodontal treatment and more involved than a routine prop... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: It is very possible that during the extraction, pressure was exerted on the adjacent teeth causing temporary soreness. If it does not improve over se... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
TMD: Usually pain in this area is due to injury or inflammation of the joint or any if the tiny ligaments or muscles associated with this joint. Usually th... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: Most artificial or "sugar free" sweeteners are not metabolized by the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Not all natural "sugars" are bad either. Xylit... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Call your dentist: In this situation, nausea may be caused by the pain medication if one was prescribed. Other causes can include dehydration. Make sure you are drinki... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: Being "put under" involves a more general anesthesia involving the entire brain. When you are "numbed" it is with a local anesthetic and involves only... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Probably not: Sores on the sides of the tongue and sore throat are an indicative of an oral infection. Lymph nodes in the tongue and throat drain when an infection... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
About 24hrs: The problem is not the antibiotic but the suseptablility of the bacteria to the antibiotic. It takes time for the antibiotic to build up in the blood... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Depends: If the stain is on the tooth surface then the stain may be removed with a professional cleaning. If the stain or yellow is inside the tooth ie dentin... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: Sealants can actually help reduce sensitivity. A sealant fills in the tiny grooves in the chewing surfaces of the molars thus preventing bacteria from... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Watch: A loose tooth at age 9 is probably the normal process of exfoliation where the baby teeth are replaced with the permanent teeth. Check with your dent... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No shortcut here: Once a cold sore has started and damage is done to the tissues, healing will take its course. The trick is to stop the virus before the damage is done... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Periodontitis: Often it is more difficult to thoroughly clean the area where the crown meets the tooth. This leads to plaque build up which leads to bleeding and irr... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: Leukoplakia is not a disease or illness. It merely means "white lesion". There are many causes for a white spot on the gums and most are harmless. ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Fluoride: A good Fluoride mouth rinse can help strengthen teeth and may help freshen breath as part of brushing and flossing. Mouth rinses do not substitute br... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Upto a week: It is not uncommon for pain to last for several days but should improve each day. If not, you had better have your dentist reevaluate your condition.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Normal: That is very normal at this stage of healing. It should continue to improve every day. If it suddenly becomes excessively painful you will need to ch... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
NSAID: Non steroidal anti inflammatory meds like ibuprophen Naproxen and asprin can be very helpful but be aware that any time the teeth are moved there will... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
See dentist: If you are sure you have decay, you should get to your dentist to verify which teeth are involved and have them filled. Doing nothing will result in a... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Allergy?: It is very possible that you are having an allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients in the cookies. Probably a treat you will need to avoi... Read More
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Delayed pain: Dry socket is the result of chemicals that build up on the bone surface after a difficult or traumatic extraction. Usually it presents itself with a ... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Many causes: Ulcers can be the result of injury to the mouth as in biting the lip or bumping the gums with the toothbrush. They can also be due to medications and... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Tongue scraping: Probably the biggest cause of halitosis or bad breath is the accumulation of bacteria on the back of the tongue. Look in the mirror and stick out yo... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: But, not to quickly after the surgery. You want to be careful not to disturb the open sockets too soon as the clotting that occurs is part of the hea... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No change: Your shower routine should have no effect on your wisdom tooth surgery. You may want to stay away from the hot shower several days after surgery just ... Read More
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Multiple causes : Without a good clinical exam it is impossible to say for sure. There could be a blockage in the duct of the salivary gland in which case you will feel... Read More
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Dry lips: More than likely your habit is initiated by dry lips. As the lip drys, you will feel the flaking skin and be tempted to bite and peel the loose skin o... Read More
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Biopsy: A lesion like this cannot be identified without observation and a biopsy which is a small sample of the lesion. It can usually be done with local anes... Read More
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Fluoride: In addition to your routine brushing and flossing make sure you are getting some fluoride. Check to see if it is in the water. If not, you may need ad... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Signs of wear: Night grinding or bruxism can be seen in the wear patterns on the back teeth (molars). The dentist will observe flat areas on the teeth that normally... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Viroxin and Valtrex (valacyclovir): I have found in my practice that patients who use the product "viroxin" (purchased from your dentist) at the very onset of a cold sore can often avoid... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
None: Bleaching gel is used to whiten the internal part of the tooth or the dentin. Cleaning is done with various forms of toothpaste. If you are bleachin... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
It varies: A dental abscess can develop very rapidly but in other cases may take days to weeks to even years before an abscess is noticed. Regular dental exams... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
No: The only supplement that has proven by years of good research to make tooth enamel more resistant to decay is fluoride. It has also proven to be safe ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: If they are causing pain or alignment concerns then they may need to be removed. Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. In generals, the older you ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Tongue scraping: Probably the biggest cause of halitosis or bad breath is the accumulation of bacteria on the back of the tongue. Look in the mirror and stick out yo... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Unknown: The only reliable studies I am aware of indicate xylitol is effective in interfering with dental plaque development. Mannitol will not be metabolized ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: Flossing will not cause any increase in spacing in "baby" teeth. Ideally there will be some spacing between the front teeth in children and can usuall... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: Stick to the children's dosage and alternating ibuprophen and Acetaminophen can work well. The danger is in giving too much acetaminophen. As always... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Many things: This could be a result of a dental infection, a "gum" infection or even a sinus problem. You would need to have a professional evaluate your conditio... Read More
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
White is normal: in the mouth a healing cut or sore will be white. A similar scab on the skin would be a dark red to black. What you describe is normal healing. Do no... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Ulcer: As with any lesion in the mouth, it cannot be identified without a clinical examination and history. Often a biopsy is required. There are very many ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronald Smithanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Yes: After orthodontic treatment it takes time for the supporting bone to mature and reposition. During this time the teeth will tend to revert back to t... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
110
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Smith is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Smith is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you for your detailed answer. That puts my mind at ease a bit
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you Dr. Smith!
HealthTap member
Thank you so much. That's what I thought of.
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Provo, UT - Winter
2013
Most Influential, First Place, Provo, UT - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, First Place, Provo, UT - Winter
2013
Affiliations
American Dental Association
Utah Dental Association
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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