more information about our services and philosophy around ingredients and clean care.
what we offer
ORAL EXAMS
New patient oral exams include thorough evaluation of the teeth, soft, and hard tissues of the oral cavity, as well as visual exam of the head and neck. You can expect this initial appointment to take longer as it involves periodontal charting, x-rays (including the option of CBCT for the most diagnostic imagery), discussion of diet and hygiene practices, communication of findings and diagnoses, and a conversation of how best to meet your needs and achieve your dental aspirations.
Periodic oral exams are for existing patients and typically occur every 6 months at the hygiene appointment. Visual evaluation and head and neck exam will take place along with X-rays when indicated. Updates will be made to the existing treatment plan or a new plan will be generated as needed.
Limited oral evaluations are available for emergent needs. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive and compassionate care, that means finding time in our schedule to see you if you are in pain or providing the appropriate referral. If you are our patient you will have our personal phone number and we are here to take your calls should an emergency arise.
PERIODONTAL CARE & CLEANINGS
Our hygiene program is the foundation of our practice. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Thus, you can anticipate an in-depth periodontal evaluation and cleaning by our outstanding hygienists. Your cleaning will include comprehensive discussion of diet and at home hygiene practices, use of powerful antimicrobial ozonated water and all natural, fluoride free products. Supplemental use of ozone gas and laser therapy will be recommended on a case by case basis.
YOUR FIRST appointment IS JUST ONE CLICK AWAY
RESTORATIVE WORK
Tooth decay, or dental caries, is one of the most common diseases in the world, second only to the common cold. When tooth decay strikes, restorations are completed with beautiful tooth-colored, ceramic based resins, free of any mercury or traditional monomers. In those cases requiring crowns, bridges, or veneers, we utilize the most esthetic and biocompatible ceramic options available while working with the patient to achieve a completely natural looking and smile-worthy product. Interested in a cosmetic transformation? Bring it on! There is nothing we enjoy more than helping you attain a radiant, healthy, smile!
DENTAL SURGERY
Should the need arise for dental extraction both Dr. Young and Dr. Hook are able to do so in office, with your comfort in mind. In addition to local anesthetics, nitrous oxide is available to help you relax or supplemental oral sedation can help alleviate your fear. Our staff understands that dental surgery can be daunting and we are here to make the experience as safe and supportive as possible.
SEDATION OPTIONS
At Harmony Holistic Dentistry, we know the dental office isn’t your ideal place to spend your time. For millions of Americans, the fear and anxiety associated with the dentist is enough to prevent them from seeking the care they need. That’s why we do everything we can to make your dental experience as relaxed, comfortable, and pain-free as possible. Getting the care you need today is essential in preventing more painful and costly problems down the road. Whether you need help relaxing for a routine cleaning and exam, or want to complete all your dental work comfortably in one visit, we are happy to offer sedation options to help you get the care you need.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
In addition to providing a sought after cosmetic solution for missing teeth; dental implants offer the extraordinary benefit of bone retention, preserved gingival health, and return of occlusal (biting) function. We recommend a consultation with our dentists to find out if a dental implant is right for you!
OROFACIAL PAIN & TMJ
When you think of dentistry, what comes to mind? Teeth? Gums? Cavities? Crowns? The usual. However, many folks don’t realize the mouth is made up of a network of complex structures including your teeth, gums, jawbone, jaw joint (TMJ) and the muscles and tendons that connect your jaw to your skull and neck. These structures must all work together in balance and harmony for optimum oral health and wellbeing. If there is any type of imbalance, it can create a lot of chronic pain and tension over time. At Harmony Holistic Dentistry, we are a holistic dental practice, which means we carefully consider the delicate balance of these structures in determining the root cause of your pain. We don’t just want to treat your pain, we want to prevent it at the source. If you’re living with chronic orofacial pain, we have a solution for you.
If you’re suffering from TMJ, you don’t have to grin and bear it! Your individual treatment plan will depend on the severity of your case and your individual needs, but we have several options to get you the relief you deserve.
If your TMJ is mild, we may recommend at-home therapy methods including massage and pressure point therapy, cold compress, and minor stretching and awareness practices. You should avoid chewing gum or engaging in activity that puts stress on your TMJ.
If your TMJ is mild to moderate, we can create a custom night guard to minimize the damage and prevent excessive stress and grinding overnight. Many patients have found a tremendous amount of relief by using a simple night guard during sleep.
If your TMJ is moderate to severe, and we have been unsuccessful with other treatment methods, you may need surgery to correct the joint itself.
We can also use Botox® injections to block the nerve signals to the brain that cause the muscle contractions that are causing your pain. Botox® has been successfully clinically tested and approved to treat bruxism and TMJ.
If your TMJ is caused by sleep apnea, we can create a custom oral appliance that gently shifts the lower jaw forward and keeps your airway open, and prevents clenching and grinding.
BOTOX TREATMENT
Generally thought of for it’s cosmetic uses, botox is a powerful resource for treatment of orofacial and TMJ pain. It utilizes the neurotoxic protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum to reduce the nerve activation and alter muscle activity associated with the chronic pain. Botox treatment is quick, targeted, predictable, and longer lasting than most therapies for orofacial pain. Overtime, consistent botox therapy can noticeably reduce the size of the masseter and temporalis muscles responsible for chronic pain. Schedule a consultation to find out if you are a good candidate for botox and finally find the relief you seek!
BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS
In dentistry today there are over 5,000 materials used in the restoration of the teeth and oral cavity. Over the last 25 years the number of people in the United States with allergies and autoimmune disorders has been steadily on the rise. For some people, their autoimmune problems have been linked to mercury in dental fillings and nickel and beryllium in metals used for crowns. The immune-compromised and allergy-prone person can’t be too careful about what is put in their bodies. Part of what sets us apart as holistic is our commitment to using the safest and most biocompatible materials, what we believe ought to be the standard of care.
Many patients come to us with concerns about the mercury fillings they have and are interested in alternative replacements. We are proud to offer safe amalgam filling removal and replacement options that include esthetic, highly biocompatible, nano-ORMOCER fillings (free of common monomers BisGMA, TEGDMA, UDMA) and/or ceramic crowns.
OZONE THERAPY
Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism and renewal and can expedite your body’s natural healing process. Body tissues heal fastest when they are exposed to fresh air and abundant oxygen. Your body makes new cells all the time, particularly when you have a wound or infection. Oxygen therapy gives your cells the fuel they need to heal and can create a secure environment for prolonged healing. Because water and oxygen are already natural components in your body, the effects of oxygen therapy are long-lasting.
Oxygen therapy delivers 100% pure, medical-grade oxygen. When three atoms of oxygen bind together, they form ozone, the same matter that protects and nourishes our environment. Oxygen can be applied as ozone gas, ozonated water, or ozonated oils. This completely painless treatment works with your body’s natural functions to achieve a multitude of benefits.
It’s very important for oxygen to be used in addition to conventional procedures and treatments because it’s not proven to treat any health problems on its own. If you have gum disease, have just had oral surgery, or have any other dental health problems, consider adding oxygen therapy to reduce healing time and boost immunity. We regularly utilize ozone gas during routine care such as fillings and crowns to reduce sensitivity and sanitize the prepared tooth. We also use ozonated water for all of our cleanings!
MERCURY FILLING REMOVAL
Most folks don’t know that old metal fillings contain anywhere from trace amounts up to 50% mercury. Where we lacked scientific evidence in the past, we now know that mercury is very toxic to the human body and should never be used inside the mouth or anywhere else in the body. In addition to being toxic and unsightly, long term amalgam fillings also present a high risk for tooth fracture.
Mercury is a known neurotoxin that can cause muscle weakness, poor coordination, numbness in the hands and feet, skin rashes, anxiety, memory problems, and trouble with speech, hearing, and eyesight. Mercury is more toxic than lead or arsenic. Mercury vaporizes easily, and inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Metal fillings contribute more mercury to the human body than all other mercury sources combined.
At Harmony Holistic Dentistry we follow strict guidelines and practices to reduce mercury vapor exposure during removal. We use the “cut and chunk” technique while keeping the filling cool under a constant spray of water to reduce vapor exposure. High Volume Evacuation (HVE), a charcoal filter, and mercury scavenger are used at all times to eliminate vapor, and patients are protected with a rubber dam and oxygen mask to prevent inhalation. We even go so far as to leave a window open in the operatory for maximum ventilation. We follow the Huggins protocol and the recommendations of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).
We provide nutritional recommendations that have been used to help patients remove mercury from the body for decades. We can also work with your Naturopath or Physician for detox treatments.
Whether you are merely concerned with mercury filling toxicity, enamel cracking, or you’ve had chronic health problems for years and have been unable to reach a diagnosis from doctors, safe mercury filling removal can improve your health and your quality of life, not to mention ridding your mouth of unsightly metal for a more natural, seamless smile.
