Holistic Dentistry in Thousand Oaks

Dr. Chow is a strong advocate for holistic dentistry. This is dentistry that favors minimally invasive procedures whenever possible and using materials that are biocompatible with the rest of the body. Recent advancements in dental techniques and materials used have opened up greater possibilities of patients receiving oral treatments that are not toxic to their bodies and that don't cause undue emotional or mental distress. To obtain the benefits of one of the top Thousand Oaks holistic dentists, Model Smile Dentistry is your best choice.

How is holistic dentistry different from traditional dentistry?

Holistic dentistry focuses on the whole body when treating dental issues rather than simply filling a cavity or seating a crown. Traditional dentistry is similar to traditional medicine; it focuses on treating the teeth without looking deeper into underlying issues that may be causing cavities, excessive plaque build-up or alignment problems. As a premier holistic dentist in Thousand Oaks residents can be confident that biocompatibility is of prime concern to Dr. Chow when planning a course of treatment. In this way future health problems can be avoided while providing top tier restorations and other oral care.

A holistic dental philosophy is one that takes into consideration a patient's surroundings as well as the dental treatment itself. Thousand Oaks dentistDr. Chow is aware of how a calm, nurturing environment enhances a patient's experience in the chair. Whenever possible, he uses conservative and alternative procedures in conjunction with high tech equipment to achieve the goals of the procedure. Our entire team is conscious of how dental procedures can affect other parts of the body and strive to make those influences positive, rather than negative.

Dr. Chow uses his knowledge of how one's oral health affects the body in general to provide treatments that assist in one's overall health. For example, his protocols for safe mercury removal when removing amalgam fillings: it is not enough to only place porcelain or composite fillings instead of amalgam fillings, Dr. Chow goes the whole nine yards by following strict protocols for removing amalgam fillings as well. These procedures not only protect patients from the toxic fumes from mercury, but they protect the staff and the environment as well.

Holistic dentistry can be compatible with traditional treatments

There are several issues that distinguish traditional dentistry from holistic dentistry practices. Issues such as fluoride treatments, use of mercury fillings, routine use of x-rays and whether or not to perform an extraction are the most common procedures that are discussed during consultations with Dr. Chow.

Holistic dentistry seeks to provide dental treatment which supports the entire body particularly the immune system. Many traditional treatments have the potential of stressing the immune system through the introduction of metals and chemicals such as mercury and fluoride. Dr. Chow is passionate about providing his patients with safe and effective holistic dentistry without compromising the ultimate goal of strong functioning teeth.

While treatment decisions are ultimately up to the patient, providing the latest data on these procedures and some alternatives to them is one of the services that sets his practice apart from other dental practices as providing among the best holistic dentistry Thousand Oaks residents can find.

Holistic dentistry for children

Parents often consult Dr. Chow about recommendations from their pediatricians to obtain fluoride treatments for their children. Dr. Chow provides information regarding fluoride treatments and the alternatives so that parents can make an informed decision.

Providing biocompatible materials for filling cavities is very important in children. He does not use mercury fillings preferring non toxic porcelain or resin fillers. Dr. Chow also believes in very minimal treatments for children focusing instead on prevention and discovery of any underlying conditions that might be causing dental decay or other issues.

SPECIALTY PROCEDURES

Another example of a holistic approach is Dr. Chow's treatment of sleep apnea (a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep). For patients with obstructive sleep apnea, he produces custom appliances that are worn during sleep. These devices are much more comfortable than the unwieldy CPAP machine, and they effectively eliminate obstructive sleep apnea. Left untreated, sleep apnea can be very detrimental to the body, and even lead to heart attacks.

Model Smile Dentistry utilizes high tech digital x-rays, which greatly reduce the amount of radiation exposure (as much as 80%) as compared to traditional x-rays. It's also much more environmentally friendly as there are no chemicals involved to process them.

Dr. Chow is very active with continuing education in all facets of dentistry, and in particular, holistic dentistry. He stays abreast of new advancements, both in procedures as well as materials and equipment. He is also an advocate of proper nutrition, including a Mediterranean diet, which can be an important factor in reducing the incidence of mouth cancer due its low sugar density.

As a family dentist who helps children and adults alike, he stays educated in current studies. For example, he currently supports further research into the proposed possibility of adding fluoride to milk, feeling that more data is needed before this practice is wholeheartedly endorsed.

These and numerous other techniques and practices are constantly used at our facility to provide holistic dentistry to our patients. We are confident that when you want the best holistic dentist Thousand Oaks has to offer, you will find exactly that with Dr. Chow and his staff at Model Smile Dentistry.