Osteopaths are medical doctors who have a somewhat different approach to solving certain problems. They do, however, make use of standard medical technology, are licensed to write prescriptions, and use similar diagnostic methods and treatments as other specialists. To answer what is osteoplasty in dentistry, a distinction needs to be made. An osteopath is not a trained dentist, nor is a dentist likely to have studied osteopathic medicine. The two areas of expertise overlap when there are issues of the bones surrounding the oral cavity.
In the United States, osteopaths are considered to be medical specialists, and are licensed to practice and perform surgery in every state. The beginnings of this branch of medicine were somewhat controversial because they involved manipulation of the bones and joints, which went against principles of conventional 19th century medical teachings. During the 21st century, however, the practice was merged into mainstream medicine, and these doctors became known as osteopathic physicians.
The term “wellness” is often associated with New Age thinking, but in fact this term has been around for many years. Osteopaths generally emphasize disease prevention as well as treatment, and promote good standard health practices that lead to wellness. Osteopathic medicine today concentrates on most medical specialities, including surgical treatment. Overall, their philosophy strives to treat people as entire organisms, rather that a grouping of separate systems and structures.
One prime tenet of osteopathy is the influence that bone structure has over daily function. This simply means that a problem in one body structure can negatively influence health and full function of organs or systems in other areas. While not philosophically opposed to standard medicine, they believe in the physical body’s ability to heal itself when given the best opportunity to do so.
Some doctors of osteopathy have been working with dentists for years. Solving the bone-related issues of face, mouth and teeth makes both professions somewhat interrelated. Few dentists, however, actually receive training in the osteopathic relationship of bodily motion to fully functioning facial bones, membranes and fluids. When the two professions combine their medical knowledge, they are able to solve many bone-related dental problems more quickly and with less trauma.
Dental osteoplasty involves using a surgical procedure to alter or repair the bony structures which support the gums. Gum disease and subsequent bone loss are still prevalent even in this age of widely available dentistry, and are responsible for causing twice as many lost teeth as decay. Gum disease is serious, and can lead to the development of problems in other regions of the body, including heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis.
Personal neglect of dental hygiene is responsible for some gum disease, but nearly 30% of the population is also genetically susceptible to this type of deterioration. When osteopaths work together with dentists, they are able to explain more completely why a patient is suffering. For example, certain types of problems with swallowing can cause pressure on the teeth, ultimately leading not only to pain, but fostering gum and tooth issues that have little to do with daily brushing.
Many dental and oral issues cannot be solved by osteopathic treatments alone. Some require special appliances in order to correct or retrain the swallowing mechanism, even as they allow bone structure to regrow and change. Determining what is osteoplasty in dentistry means understanding how osteopathic surgeons and dentists work together to solve bone issues as they relate to loss of gum tissue. Be sure to consult with your Richmond Hill dentist if you are in Richmond Hill, before you make and decision.
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