Comprehensive Dentistry
The craniomandibular system consists of the teeth, jaw joints, and the adjoining bones and muscles of the skull and cervical spine. Craniomandibular dentistry focuses on the functional relationship between these structures. Specifically, a dentist with advanced training is uniquely qualified to diagnose and offer treatment that realigns these structures, without the need of splints/nightguards, and in many cases without the need for jaw surgery.
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As traditional general dentists, we are taught to do dentistry as teeth break down. Example: Patient gets a cavity, dentist drills and fills the tooth. While this is needed and extremely beneficial to patients, it is also a reactive approach to dental problems. There is little to no investigation into what caused the issue. And, there is no proactive preventative intervention to prevent future issues. Through advanced training, I have learned to approach oral health as a functional system. The teeth are connected to our jaws, which are connected to muscles and our jaw joints, which are connected to our skull bones. We investigate the function of the system as a whole and aim to treat and correct all contributing factors to our oral health, rather than only looking at teeth. This approach allows for more predictable results in treatments, longer-lasting dental work when dental treatment is needed, and increased chances of retaining natural teeth.
This approach also allows us to monitor and guide correct growth patterns in children to avoid the need for significant dental interventions in the future. This approach also allows us to diagnose and treat conditions related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull, with great predictability. This type of dentistry can help alleviate symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing.​
A little history
Craniomandibular dentistry and occlusion medicine is based on the research and lifework of Dr. Rudolf Slavicek, an Austrian prosthodontist who was a pioneer in function and biomechanics of the masticatory organ. Furthermore, his research on growth and development solidified his expertise in occlusion medicine.
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Professor Sadao Sato is a researcher and pioneer in orthodontics in Japan. As a young orthodontist, he was frustrated with traditional orthodontic results, relapse, and TMJ issues. He dedicated his lifework to growth and development, mandibular adaptation, and occlusion medicine and its application to the field of orthodontics.
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Professor Sato brought Dr. Slavicek's work and research into his own practice and research and pioneered the craniomandibular orthodontic treatment concept. By incorporating growth and development with occlusion medicine, Professor Sato was able to create a treatment concept that allows practitioners to assess a patient comprehensively and treat them with an interdisciplinary approach for long-term, stable results. In many cases, reducing or avoiding the need for surgical intervention.
Dr. Amin is the first and only provider of the Sato-Slavicek craniomandibular treatment in the greater Houston metropolitan area. She is the only periodontist in the U.S. and one of only a handful of periodontists in the world trained in this treatment. She has also had the honor of being trained by Professor Sato himself. After completing her three-year program in craniomandibular orthodontics and occlusion medicine, she regularly returns to the prestigious Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy every quarter to continue to deepen her knowledge in this field.