|
|
|||||||||
Why is anatomy so important in holistic dentistry?
Because any structural breakdown is an anatomical breakdown. For e.g. people who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have anatomical issues – the muscles of the tongue and throat are lax. Loss of teeth is an anatomical issue; so also are periodontal disease and TM disorders. The better we know normal anatomy, the better we understand how the disease or disorder came about; and the better we can restore the original anatomy.
How does that importance translate into everyday holistic dentistry?
Let me give some examples.
When a tooth is removed, the bone and soft
tissue in the area will shrink. The typical appearance of an extraction site after 3 months is a saddle-shaped defect. We
know that the original anatomy is best suited for chewing and other functions. In holistic dentistry, we try to restore the
original anatomy as much as we can. We do this by planning to graft the socket even before the tooth is removed. Most grafted
sockets shrink very little as compared with un-grafted ones. In fact, a ‘saddle’ is a weak part of the jaw. If
trauma should be experienced, the weakest parts of the jaw will fracture first.
Tooth forms are also important. One of
the things we do is to analyze positions and forms of teeth to see if there would obstructions to normal functions of the
mouth. For e.g. some mal-positions will cause speech and other difficulties.
The shapes of the upper and lower jaws
are important. Mouth breathers have different shapes of the upper jaw as compared with nose-breathers. If a person has to
mouth-breathe, we would have to suspect nasal obstruction; which, in turn, may also be a cause of sleep apnea.
In summary, in holistic dentistry, we look for small or big changes to anatomy as these are indications of malfunction because we believe that anatomy drives physiology. If the anatomy is damaged or missing, then the physiology (the way the tissues function) will have to change to accommodate the anatomy. Physiology, if left functioning at sub-normal or para-normal levels, would ultimately result in pathology (disorders, disease, aberrations).
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works; And my soul knows it very well. (Ps 139:14)
9303 Seminole Blvd Suite D
Seminole FL 33772
Tel 727-394-1631 or 727-391-LIFE (5433)
Copyright Alfred W Choi