Traditional dentistry focuses only on problems directly related to the teeth, jaws, gums, and mouth, while holistic dentistry considers how oral health affects whole body health. A holistic dentist treats the entire body as connected and may emphasize nutritional therapy to reverse conditions like gingivitis, whereas a traditional dentist would perform restorative surgery after symptoms worsen. Additionally, holistic dentists prefer using biocompatible, natural materials like zirconia for surgery that integrate safely with the patient's body.

1. The Difference Between Traditional and
Holistic Dentistry
Azadeh Khajavi

2. Introduction
Dr. Azadeh Khajavi is a dentist and oral implantologist who uses metal-free
zirconia in reconstructive dental surgery. Dr. Azadeh Amy Khajavi believes
in holistic dentistry, which presents an alternative to traditional dentistry
and considers how oral health affects the whole body.

3. Holistic dentistry, as the name suggests, takes physical and emotional
health into account when practicing dental care. Traditional dentists
focus on problems that directly relate to the teeth, jaws, gums, and
mouth. A holistic dentist not only considers the impact their care makes
on the rest of the body, but also treats the entire body as being
connected. For example, a traditional dentist might treat a patient who
has gingivitis with restorative surgery after the symptoms worsen, while a
holistic dentist would be more likely to emphasize nutritional therapy to
naturally reverse the symptoms.

4. That is not to say that holistic dentists never perform surgery, but that
when they do, it is often with biocompatible (i.e., natural) materials that
integrate into a patient’s body safely. Tests are run beforehand to gauge
a patient’s immune system’s response to biocompatible materials like
zirconia and, if deemed appropriate, would be used in restorative surgery.
Such materials fuse with the body’s existing structure to give patients an
all-biological solution.