What is complete dentistry?

What do we mean by “Complete Dentistry”?

Dentists are the only medical professionals responsible for the health of the entire masticatory system. The teeth do not hang out in space; they must work together in harmony with the masticatory musculature and the temporomandibular joint. Complete dentistry has four comprehensive goals: optimum oral health, anatomic harmony, functional harmony, and occlusal stability. If each goal is achieved, treatment success is assured. When the entire system is healthy, there is a harmony of form and function, and the relationships are stable, then the treatment can be considered complete. Esthetic requirements will also be fulfilled because the appearance of the smile is dependent on the same harmony of form that is necessary for the harmony of function.

-Peter Dawson, DDS

Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008 by Greg Sitek

1 comment (Add your own)

1. andy patel dds wrote:
dear dr. dawson,
Seems like complete dentistry got evolution in 20th century.
In my opinion, the definition of complete dentistry is based on 20th century materials and techniques.
Prehistoric humans and so animals seems like dont follow the norms for the complete dentistry and they still fall in the norms. because the norms at that point of time was a wide range due to the dietary habits and contents.
Is complete dentistry a multi-factorial equation and can be achieved by adjusting the factors proportionally?
thank you.

December 24, 2008 @ 10:02 PM

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