Dental experts estimate that less that 5 percent of the world’s population is born with optimal mouth and teeth function. The remaining 95 percent, at some point during their life span, are faced with numerous dental challenges including worn, chipped, loose, cracked or broken teeth, bite problems, chewing difficulty, teeth grinding and clenching, jaw soreness or pain, jaw clicking or popping and receding gums. A range of additional maladies including headaches and migraines, painful facial or neck muscles, upper back or shoulder pain, as well as pain, ringing and congestion in the ears, and vertigo can often be attributed to problems caused by improper alignment.
Dr. Craig is among a handful of dentists worldwide who embraces the benefits of Bioesthetics, a breakthrough approach to dental treatment. Using Bioesthetic principles and treatments, we are giving patients a new lease on life. Especially for those living with chronic, unexplained and undiagnosed pain.
For some patients, it’s an end to excruciating headaches. For others, it is relief from debilitating mouth and jaw pain. Still others are drawn by a desire for a healthier, more attractive smile and a more youthful appearance. As treatment progresses, facial muscles begin to relax, eyes become wider, lips become fuller and patients often appear younger than they have in years.
We, along with other Bioesthetic practitioners, are transforming the face of dentistry. But that’s not all. The lives and the faces of actual patients are being transformed through this process.
Bioesthetics is a new biology-based approach to treatment. Based on extensive scientific research and observation of the human chewing system, bioesthetics is a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach to restoring dental health. By re-creating teeth and bites, bioesthetic dentists engineer an optimal dental system where
- jaw joints are stable,
- muscles are relaxed
- and teeth are not worn down.
Patients who undergo bioesthetic treatment enjoy
- excellent esthetics,
- improved function,
- comfort and
- long-lasting dental health.
Pain and dysfunction are alleviated and appearance is enhanced as a result of the process.
There are several factors that distinguish Bioesthetic dentistry from cosmetic dentistry, according to Dr. Craig.
"As a practitioner of Bioesthetics, I diagnose the cause of tooth wear and other chewing system problems, rather than just treating the symptoms," he says. "Cosmetic dentistry, in contrast, serves to beautify the teeth or smile and is driven by appearance rather than function. The Bioesthetic process restores damaged teeth to their original, youthful shape and optimizes mouth function. As a result, patients feel better, look their best and the need for future restorative dental work is significantly reduced. It’s a comprehensive and proactive approach to dental health."
To become accredited as a Bioesthetic dentist, Dr. Craig participated in a rigorous post-doctoral program requiring nearly three years of intensive training. Accreditation is granted by the OBI Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry based in Keizer, Oregon.
Using sophisticated instruments and computerized diagnostics, Dr. Craig records the center of rotation of a patient’s jaw joints in its natural biologic position and measures how the upper and lower teeth fit together when the jaw joints are aligned properly in their sockets. A functional analysis, using models of the patient’s teeth mounted on a jaw movement simulator reveals if and why there is a chewing system problem and how this problem may be corrected.
After an initial diagnosis, Dr. Craig develops an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The first step in treatment usually involves seating the jaw properly in its socket so that facial and cervical muscles can relax. After the jaw is stabilized, restorative dental work begins. The length of Bioesthetic treatment time varies from patient to patient. The cost ranges, depending upon the scope of the correction.
"Bioesthetic treatment is an investment that pays off handsomely for patients," Dr. Craig says. "As treatment progresses, it’s gratifying to watch patients’ chronic pain subside and disappear. Their smiles get bigger and even their eyes appear more open as facial muscles relax. When you look at before and after photos, it’s obvious that the process has transformed their face. Even better, it’s lifted their health to a new level."