Biological dentistry is becoming increasingly popular as people search for more natural, alternative treatments for their oral health concerns, yet many people don’t know what it is or how it differs from general dentistry.
General dentistry is the traditional form of dental care that most people are familiar with. It includes routine oral care, including assessments, preventative treatments, and restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns, and bridges. Biological dentistry (sometimes also called holistic dentistry) offers all of those things, but it differs in that it places greater emphasis on using natural methods and biocompatible materials to treat the teeth and gums. This means relying on holistic approaches that consider dietary habits, nutrition, and environmental factors when providing treatment and using restorative materials that have a biocompatible approach with the entire body.
So, what exactly is biological dentistry, and how does it differ from general dentistry? In this article, we will explain just that and explore the benefits of biological dental treatment.
What is Biological Dentistry?
Biological dentistry is the practice of dental medicine that includes an emphasis on overall health as well as dental health. The primary focus is on safety, as well as the physical health and spiritual health of the entire person. Biological materials and procedures are used to limit toxins and radiation exposure, provide consideration for the whole body, and respect the biocompatibility of materials. Biological dentists also pay close attention to how a treatment procedure may affect other organ systems or aspects of individual wellbeing.
How is Biological Dentistry Different From General Dentistry?
Biological dentistry and traditional dentistry have the same goals: to address all your oral health concerns and provide preventive and restorative care that leaves you with healthy teeth and gums. However, biological dentists focus more on your entire body and your body’s role in your dental health.
Although they both offer preventive and restorative care, you’ll notice a few distinct differences between a general dentist office and a biological dental practice:
- Approach to Treatment: Biological dentistry approaches dental treatment from a holistic perspective, recognizing that oral health and overall health are not separate entities but part of an integrated system and treating the patient accordingly. Biological dentists consider the impact of any dental treatment on the overall body.
- Aftercare Emphasis: Maintaining the patient’s health after completing a dental procedure and following up care is also an important element of biological dentistry; they often provide nutritional advice and lifestyle suggestions that can foster long-term mouth and body health.
- Materials Focus: Not only is biological dentistry focused on removing potentially harmful materials from patients’ mouths, but it also encourages the use of natural materials during procedures whenever possible, such as metal-free composite resin fillings or molded “veneers” made from natural fibers for reshaping teeth rather than harsh chemical bleaching agents or abrasive drills.
- Treatment Plans: When you visit a biological dental office, you’ll notice that prevention is a key focus of the practice. Biological dentists strive to prevent dental problems from occurring in the first place rather than just treating them after they have already developed.
Overall, biological dentistry is a holistic approach to dental care that considers the patient’s overall health and wellbeing. It focuses on safety, natural materials, and prevention-based treatment plans to ensure optimal oral health for patients.
Reasons to Choose a Biological Dentist
Choosing a biological dentist is much more than just choosing ideal dental health; it can also bring you a plethora of other health benefits. Biological dentists use methods that focus on the whole body, utilizing holistic treatments and therapies to help keep the mouth and overall body free from toxins that could be hiding in dental materials like metal fillings or crowns.
They are careful not to introduce any potentially harmful materials into the mouth and take extra care to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible during treatment. Biological dentists take special care when it comes to utilizing metal alternatives such as porcelain or composite materials when doing any restorative work. By choosing a biological dentist who is specifically trained in these alternative practices, you can ensure that your dental problems are addressed safely and effectively while looking out for your overall wellbeing.
Focus on Prevention
Biological dentists focus on prevention because it is a more effective and sustainable approach to long-term dental health. By taking a preventative approach, biological dentists can help identify and address issues before they become major problems. This not only saves the patient time, money, and pain in the long run but also helps reduce the risk of tooth decay or other dental diseases. Biological dentists believe that prevention is the key to ensuring long-term dental health instead of simply treating existing issues after they arise.
Biocompatible Materials
Biological dentists use only the safest and most biocompatible materials for restorative procedures, including composite resin, ceramics, and porcelain, that won’t cause an allergic reaction in the body. These materials offer several advantages when compared to traditional forms of dental care, such as little to no discoloration and resistance to bacteria that cause decay.
Biological dentists do not use amalgam fillings (which contain mercury) and take an overall holistic approach to dental care. Mercury is a highly toxic substance with adverse health effects, so biological dentists eliminate its use in their treatments. This helps keep any potential toxins away from your body and your mouth.
Holistic Approach To Dental Care
Biologic dental care isn’t limited solely to obvious concerns with teeth or gums – instead, biological practices look at overall body health including nutrition, lifestyle habits, stress relief techniques etc., all of which play an important role when trying maintain perfect oral hygiene for patients; thus allowing them an experience which is much more thorough compared traditional methods employed by non-biological doctors/dentists!
Alternatives To Drilling And Extracting
When it comes to drilling or extracting teeth, a biological dentist will always attempt alternatives before considering this route of action – if it’s deemed necessary, they will then look at alternative methods such as ozone therapy, laser therapy, and aroma therapy which all carry a much lower risk of harm than traditional treatments with drills and forceps often used by traditional dentists.
Are biological dentists as skilled as conventional dentists?
Yes! Biological dentists still attend dental school and are licensed dentists that have obtained a DDS or DMD degree, and they are well-versed in modern dentistry practices. They also have similar credentials, including certifications from relevant organizations such as the American Board of Dental Examiners and state dental boards. However, a biological or holistic dentist uses a more specialized approach to oral healthcare by incorporating knowledge of biology and focusing on prevention over repair.
In addition to her DDS, which she received from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School, Dr. Jones also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology-chemistry from Southwest Texas State University and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Houston. She is a member of numerous dental health organizations, and serves as director of the Houston Dental Health Institute, Wholistic Dental Associates, and Houston Head-Neck Pain and Dental Sleep Disorders, and is a founding member of the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry.
