biological pediatric dentist los angeles ca

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022

What a Biological Dentist Does

Pediatric Biological Dentist in Los Angeles, CA

Biological dentistry is a comprehensive approach to dental care that recognizes the clinically significant relationship between oral health and whole-body health. Sometimes referred to as the “mouth-body connection,” this relationship has inspired a large body of well-validated research, revealing how unhealthful conditions of the oral cavity can negatively impact the cardiovascular system, the immunologic system, respiratory function, nutrition, and even sleep—and more.

The modern practice of dentistry, including pediatric dentistry, is about much more than teeth and gums. Indeed, the practice of dentistry today incorporates and applies a wide body of knowledge from the fields of biology, physiology, medicine, biomechanics, biomaterials, photonics, and high-tech advancements in laboratory science, digital imaging, 3-D computer modeling and automated manufacturing of dental restorations (e.g., crowns) and oral appliances. Applying these sciences and technologies, biological dentists are having a truly revolutionary and highly beneficial impact on the practice of dentistry, offering patients, including children:

A deeper understanding of the underlying biological and physiological basis of oral and systemic disease or conditions.
A better understanding of the relationship between oral health and whole-body health, and vice-versa.
Reduced reliance upon or total elimination of invasive oral procedures, resulting in greater patient comfort, less pain, and faster recovery from procedures, such as cavity filling or surgery on soft tissues. For example, dental lasers, rather than traditional drills, may be used for “no-touch” cavity preparation or cutting of soft tissue.
Reduction or elimination of certain medications, products, or materials that may not be appropriate or well tolerated in some patients or that may be replaced by more “gentle” methods or forms of treatment.
Use of more “natural” ingredients or more bio-compatible materials.
Consideration of a wider range of “non-traditional” or “alternative” treatment options (sometimes referred to as “holistic” or “natural” dentistry).
Greater emphasis on nutrition, behavioral changes, and whole-body health.

Pediatric biological dentists tend to emphasize infancy and early childhood development issues, establishment and reinforcement of positive habits and behaviors, reliance on the body’s natural forces for optimal growth, and recognition of the body’s self-healing and self-corrective tendencies.

Health-conscious parents across the country are actively looking for more comprehensive, natural, gentle, less invasive, and less forceful solutions to traditional dental procedures. Parents are finding more alternatives by going to a pediatric biological dentist in Los Angeles, CA.

April 13, 2022April 13, 2022

Biological Dentistry: The Bigger Picture of Dental Health

Dentistry is constantly changing as new techniques, tools, procedures, and practices are implemented in the field. Today’s dentists are trained and equipped as never before to diagnose and treat dental conditions that can impact overall patient health, not only during childhood development but throughout life.

As usual, the focus of this blog post is on patient education. In this blog from the clinic of Hila Robbins, DMD, Inc., we will look at what you can expect from a biological dentist in Los Angeles, CA, versus what we all used to consider as “traditional dentistry.”

Traditionally, dentists were trained to treat the teeth and gums. Today’s dentists, especially those practicing biological dentistry, consider the entire clinical picture of the patient, thanks to ever-expanding knowledge and understanding of how the health of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity (all within the traditional scope of dentistry) interact with the rest of the body, either as a contributing cause, or a possible result of other, traditionally “non-dental” health issues. Today, taking a more comprehensive, biological view (as opposed to the more structural and anatomical approach of traditional dentistry, we know that dental and oral health can impact the health of the cardiovascular system, the immune system, the airway, breathing, and sleep, and more. You might say that today’s biological dentists focus on the big picture—not just the teeth and gums.

Consider, for example, the image at the top of this blog post. What you see is the result of a digital imaging procedure known as CBCT or Cone Beam Computed Tomography. The image presents a computer-generated, three-dimensional (volumetric, not flat) rendering of the cranium (the head) of a child. Using imaging software that combines radiology plus computer graphics capabilities, a properly equipped dentist, such as Dr. Robbins, can see the 3-D anatomy of the entire cranium, including the teeth, jaw, facial bones, bones of the skull, the airway (nasal cavity, throat, trachea), and more. Using imaging software, the dentist can “rotate” the CBCT image in space, look “inside” the image to view anatomy that may otherwise be obscured, and “slice” the 3-D image into discrete sections, from the front, sides, top, and bottom, or anyplace in between.

In plain English, today’s dentist can really see what’s going on, which can help with pinpointing the cause of a particular condition or symptom, to indicate the best treatment, and “predict” likely outcomes.

Using advanced tools, such as CBCT imaging, the biological dentist is able to see the bigger picture of the dental patient’s health, considering the whole body, with the goal to make more accurate and comprehensive diagnoses and offering more personalized treatment plans to patients.

Biological dentistry, as an example, focuses not just
on dental health but also on the patient’s entire physical and emotional wellness. These dentists prevent and treat oral disease by using natural therapies.

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022

Taking the Mystery Out of Biological Dentistry for Children

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.