So you know we practice holistic dentistry. The most widely used definition by patients is “dentistry that doesn’t apply or employ materials or techniques that include mercury and other elements that can challenge overall health and wellness.” Holistic dentistry is that and a lot more. Holistic dentistry is integrative; it incorporates your medical conditions, social, psychological, and physical health when planning and providing your care. Is biologic dentistry the same thing?
Yes. And more. Biologic dentistry is a style of practice that is holistic. These are my four key tenets of biologic dentistry:
1) Prevent loss of function and structure before, during, and after dentofacial growth and development has finished. I have a mindset for our patients that starts evaluating and predicting growth and function outcomes before the age of 6. A number of deficiencies occur in the development of a healthy and well grown jaws, teeth, and tooth alignment. The muscles and bones that govern a healthy pattern of our swallowing and biting are ALSO governed by the development of other diseases. Sleep apnea, heartburn, allergy history, orthopedics, lifestyle– just some of the issues that can be addressed early to promote ideal growth and dental balance.
2) Intervene before catastrophic rehabilitation is needed for your gums, bone, muscles, and teeth. Wear and tear occurs if, for example, there is a bite imbalance, or an abnormal tooth grinding habit. Avoiding gum tissue grafts, root canals, and extractions comes from minimally invasive treatments like orthodontics for balance, or preventing tooth grinding with a nightguard.
3) Provide care that is minimally invasive whenever and wherever possible. A simple repair of your cracked tooth before it requires a root canal and crown. Non-surgical care for gum disease before you need surgery for a deep abscess. Not aggressively cutting a molar down to a stub when you can have a conservative onlay restoration. Use orthodontics to reposition teeth that have collapsed over time instead of a bunch of aggressive and costly crowns.
4) Directly renew or replace a loss of tooth, gum, or bone structures. This is called additive care. Direct composite bonding with The Bioclear Method avoids cutting more teeth away to solve your challenge. Using ceramic dental implants to replace a tooth instead of committing more teeth to anchor a bridge to replace the missing one.
If you’re ready to head common dental problems off at the pass, Give us a text or call 206.362.5400.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/
The Bruxism Triad. Rouse, et al. inside dentistry | May 2010 | insidedentistry.net
other references available upon request
