Complete Dentistry versus Repair Dentistry

Dr. Bill and Dr. Ron are committed to "complete dentistry" which is different from "repair dentistry." So, what is complete dentistry? The easiest way to explain "complete dentistry" is to take a look at "repair dentistry" first and then draw some conclusions.

Repair Dentistry

Most dentists are trained to do "repair dentistry." This means that they treat only one or two teeth at a time, usually when there is a crisis event such as decay or breaking a tooth. Pain is usually the reason most patients go in pursuit of a dentist. Certainly, at the time of treatment patients simply want the tooth fixed and the pain gone. This can be an important service at the time and can result in saving a tooth and relieving discomfort. The problem with this approach is that it completely overlooks the chewing system, more commonly referred to as the "bite." It stops short of looking at the teeth as part of a system that involves more than the one tooth needing attention. The chewing system also includes the jaw joints and the muscles of the face. If the teeth and jaw joints are not working in harmony, destructive forces are placed on the teeth.

Many patients have benefited from repair dentistry over the years. Later on in life these people end up with worn teeth, cracked and broken teeth, sensitive teeth; and, sometimes, sore muscles and chronic headaches as well. Even more disconcerting, too often "repair dentistry" patients end up with sore or painful jaw joints. This is not something that happens overnight – it is a condition that starts with the first cavity that you have "repaired" and continues throughout your life. The Drs. Housley concur, "Patients that find themselves in this situation may have benefited from 'repair dentistry' but they did not benefit from 'complete dentistry' that would give them a youthful smile, great looking teeth and ongoing comfort into their senior years."

Complete Dentistry

A few lucky patients make it into their senior years with great dental health. What do these patients have in common? They have stable temporomandibular joints (TMJ); their front and back teeth come together evenly; there are no uneven places in their bites. These commonalities result in properly aligned teeth. This guides their jaw when chewing and returns it to a stable position, preventing tooth wear and breakdown over the course of their lives. These lucky people have good oral hygiene and they have no gum disease and very little decay. Most importantly they have had good remedial dental care over the years.

Do you have a problem?

How do you know if you have a problem? The first clue is when you look in the mirror and see wear or squaring off of your front teeth. When your front teeth show signs of wear, it usually means that you have an unstable jaw joint. During the day the brain always programs the muscles to position the jaw so that the teeth meet. At night the muscles relax and the jaw goes into the socket. This can cause the back teeth to wear and fracture and can cause damage to the jaw joint and muscles. This is the reason that many people grind their teeth in their sleep.

Signs of an uneven bite

What are some other signs that your teeth and jaw joints may not be working in harmony?

• wear and shortening of teeth
• jaw and face pain (TMJ problems)
• headache
• tooth grinding and clenching
• gum recession and root sensitivity
• sensitive teeth
• cracked and broken teeth
• loose teeth
• drifting teeth (spaces developing)

Look at these examples of tooth wear.

The sooner that a dentist can diagnose the state of wear, the simpler and less expensive it is to correct.

The goals of treatment are to achieve a result which...

• Looks good
• Feels good
• Lasts a long time

Here is one treatment example used for treating wearing away of the front teeth. This procedure is accomplished with porcelain veneers or sometimes with bonding material.

Not only are the results beautiful but the jaws now function properly. These patients will never again wear their teeth down, nor will they have TMJ (joint) pain.

"Complete Dentistry" can be applied to patients with more severe tooth wear. These situations may involve the use of crowns and implants but the end result is the same.

Although these procedures can be considered cosmetic dentistry, make no mistake, Cosmetic Dentistry is not necessarily "Complete Dentistry." Cosmetic dentistry is just what it says – cosmetic. Bonding, veneers and crowns will not stop the wear and breakage process. In fact, cosmetic dentistry can speed up wear and breakage if the underlying problem is still there.

"Complete Dentistry" addresses the cause of wear and breakdown and can accomplish the following:

• Restore teeth to their original length
• Eliminate the cause of tooth breakdown
• Provide long lasting and beautiful restoration

Dr. Bill and Dr. Ron express their belief that, "Each patient has the right to choose his own personal dental health goals and we suggest choosing a more holistic 'complete dentistry' for a stable, long-term dental plan." They go on to say, "Complete Dentistry allows us to design enduring dental solutions for those patients who choose to live young into old age."

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