For busy parents with young children, searching for a children’s dental specialist can be bewildering. There are so many choices: traditional dentists, natural dentists, holistic dentists, and even biological dentistry in Los Angeles, CA. Understanding different treatment approaches can be confusing, but don’t get confused by the terminology.
All specialists in pediatric dentistry fulfill the basic oral health needs of children and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage young patients—from infancy through adolescence. Some pediatric dentists focus mostly on younger patients; other specialists might accept new patients in their teens. Pediatric dentists are especially well versed in early childhood development, including anatomy and function, and in health conditions and special needs specific to children.
Advancements in the science and technology of healthcare, especially in our understanding of molecular biology and genetics, embryology, toxicology, pharmacology, biophysics, and bioengineering, have led to ever more precise diagnostic tests, imaging methods, biologically more compatible materials, and less invasive—and often, less painful, and faster healing—treatment modalities.
Today, we know much more about the effects of environmental influences—especially chemicals and materials—on early childhood development and long-term health.
Stated simply, a biological dentist is a dentist whose approach to the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of oral health issues considers the whole body—not just the oral cavity—and considers the latest knowledge of how dental medications, materials, and other environmental influences—in particular ingestible or topical ingredients—and treatment regimens impact both childhood development and health into adulthood.
A biological pediatric dentist purposefully considers the interaction between oral biology, whole-body biology, the environment—inside and outside of the body—and health. They consider when a so-called “natural approach” (which may be non-pharmacological or non-invasive) is most appropriate, based on the individual patient’s case. A biological dentist is also holistic, in the sense that they consider the whole body—not just the mouth—and consider the widest range of appropriate treatments—not just the most “high tech.” Lastly, biological dentists may be traditional, in the sense of following a more conservative—not abrupt, aggressive, or more invasive—approach.
Hila Robbins, DMD, Inc., favors the approach that makes the most sense for your child. This means considering, explaining, and making available treatment options that can help to provide optimal results.