Alternative Dentist Care & Sedation Dentistry Serving La Crosse and Onalaska, WI

Craniosacral Therapy / Myofascial Unwinding
Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
Nu Calm
Orthopedic Orthodontics
Ska Sys

Craniosacral Therapy / Myofascial Unwinding

The above titled modalities are not part of established protocol or “standard of care” in dentistry. Not with standing that fact, nor making any claims that such modalities are or should be considered dental in nature, which they are not, I have found these modalities to be beneficial in creating an environment of cooperation within the body for positive changes concerning physiological, structural, mechanical, and emotional stressors. The net effect of applying these therapies is faster and less traumatic correction of orthopedic orthodontic and temporo-mandibular joint issues.
Cranio sacral Therapy involves subtle encouragement of release of stress patterns existing along the sutural lines between the cranial bones, spinal segments and the sacrum and hemi-pelvises. The Cranial-Osteopathic principal that dynamic rhythmic motion exists between cranial bones, the spinal column and the sacral base, creating an active pumping system for the movement of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the nervous system was first proffered by William Garner Sutherland, an osteopathic physician.

When I was in dental school Sutherland’s theories were dismissed as disproven with no fan fare. It was not until several years after graduating that I investigated and actively trained in the use of Cranial-Osteopathic treatment and became convinced of its truthfulness and value. Change in thinking often does not come easily. It is said that only wet babies like change.

Myofascial Unwinding involves a self-corrective, therapist assisted release of traumatic memory stored at the cellular level and within connective tissue. It is a technique stimulating neuro-muscular re-educational promoting resolution of compromised/compensatory situations established by trauma and inaccurate assessment of reality. It encourages the innate intelligence of the individual to heal itself. Hard to explain to those who are mechanical in their thinking. Easy to appreciate through actual experience.

I include these modalities as adjuncts to treatment of orthopedic orthodontic cases and Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction cases. Some sort of stress or trauma or both underlies all dysfunctional situations. Thoughts and beliefs either aid or obstruct healing, just as physical conditions do. The eclectic approach is to use whatever works, a truly holistic idea. These modalities promote the involvement of body, mind and spirit in healing.

Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

The Temporo-Mandibular Joints (TMJs) are the jaw joints. The workings of the jaws is a complex issue involving: the integrated functioning of the actual joints, masticatory muscles and tongue; tooth to tooth relationships; arch to arch relationships; upper jaw to cranial base relationship; cranial bone balance; posture; mental/emotional stress levels; and other factors.

Things don’t have to be perfect, fortunately. The TMJs function within a range of the ideal. But when one or more of the above factors is compromised beyond the adaptable range of the normal, symptoms of TMJ dysfunction appear. These symptoms may include a variety of uncomfortable conditions such as: headaches; neck aches; backaches; muscle spasms/soreness; hearing disturbances; tinnitus; dizziness/balance problems; clenching; grinding of the teeth; scoliosis; sinus and airway problems; swallowing disturbances; ear infections; and more.

Corrective therapy involves the uncovering of the causal factors and their elimination or, in the very least, reducing the level of the effect of the causal factors. Medications may mask the symptoms, but generally are not curative since the issue is not due to a deficiency of the medication in the first place. To the extent that they do help long term may be more a factor of the passage of time and with it the innate healing ability of the body itself.

Splinting the jaws with a pivotal resilient appliance often times reduces the symptomatic effects of relevant causal factors and can act as a temporary treatment.

My approach to TMJ problems is multifaceted and includes cranial-sacral therapy, myofascial unwinding, splinting/orthopedic orthodontics, mental/emotional exercises, neuro-muscular reeducation exercises and, acupressure among other things.

Nu Calm

NuCalm?… the all-natural way to experience a relaxing dental visit
Would you like to enjoy a more comfortable dental experience?
Would you like to enjoy a faster dental experience?
Most people would say “yes” to greater comfort and faster dental appointments, which is why we are proud to introduce NuCalm?, a revolutionary all-natural technology. Our patients love the NuCalm dental experience and are able to leave our office with no side effects, no recuperative time, and no impairments.

How does NuCalm Work?

Deep relaxation is achieved though 4 simple steps. NuCalm is administered by our dental team at the beginning of your appointment and takes approximately five minutes to apply. While listening to soothing music, you will relax comfortably in the chair for the entire appointment and will simply not care about the dentistry being done.

Step 1: All-natural chewable tablets containing a proprietary formulation of nutraceuticals responsible for rapidly creating a natural relaxation response. The chewable tablets are all-natural, so the will not counteract or interfere with any medication or dietary restrictions.

Step 2: FDA-cleared microcurrent stimulation. Research shows this helps to rapidly facilitate the relaxation response.

Step 3: Soothing music administered with noise-dampening headphones. Layered in the soothing music is proprietary neuroacoustic software designed to facilitate deep relaxation.

Step 4: Light-blocking glasses to block visual stimuli and help maintain relaxation.

NuCalm can be a part of your next dental treatment. Ask our elite team about this amazing relaxation experience with over 46,600 positive patient outcomes.

NOTE: NuCalm is contraindicated in patients with implanted pace makers, ventricular assist devices, cochlear implants or other brain implanted devices, females who are pregnant, or children under 12 years of age. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Orthopedic Orthodontics

The Cranium is composed of twenty-two bones (paired and unpaired). These bones are sutured together in a physiological pattern that allows for dynamic and essential rhythmic interaction. Dr. William Garner Sutherland, an Osteopathic Physician, first discovered and studied the ‘Primary Respiratory Mechanism’ in the last century. His findings concerning the dynamic nature of the Cranium remain controversial in medicine and dentistry.

My approach to Orthodontics incorporates Sutherlands Cranio-Sacral philosophy focusing on the orthopedic aspects. Orthopedic Orthodontics considers not only tooth to tooth alignment but additionally optimal relationship of the maxillary bones to the cranial base; the maxillary bones to the mandible; the mandible to the Temporo-mandibular joints; and the resulting optimal cranial-sacral rhythmic motility and active cerebral-spinal fluid circulation.

I incorporate Cranio-sacral Therapy and Myofascial Unwinding (discussed separately on this website) into my Orthopedic Orthodontics and rely heavily on the use of Advanced Light wire Functional (ALF) appliances to direct and guide development of the jaws.

Birth trauma and cranial/spinal/sacral base injuries and the accompanying mental/emotional stress, can all result in sutural stress and disturbances in optimal growth, development and function of the jaws and tooth position. The earlier the intervention, the better a dentist can employ and guide future growth potential. Orthopedic and physiological concerns dictate that extraction of permanent teeth (other than wisdom teeth in certain situations) should be avoided where ever possible. This extraction technique, though convenient to create space, produces great challenges to the establishment of optimal function, healthy posture, stable jaw joints, tongue space, adequate nasal airway, proper speech, etc.

In depth consideration and consultation regarding how best to optimize Orthopedic Orthodontic Therapy is of the utmost importance. Many factors are involved. Body, mind and spirit influences are all involved!

Ska Sys

Dr. Johann Lechner of Germany worked with Electro-Acupuncture according to Voll for over twenty-five years before his development of the Ska Sys assessment system. This system utilizes scalar wave transmission of specific information and kinesiological testing of biological reaction to said information. Depending on the reaction or lack thereof to specific information it is possible to conclude what frequency disturbance pattern may be producing undesirable conditions in the client and also what frequency patterns will restore balance to the client. The Ska Sys system works on the premise that health = energetic balance and that disease = energetic imbalance and that reestablishment of health = reestablishment of energetic balance. And further that energetic balance = frequency pattern balance = vibrational harmony. This is energy medicine. It does not fit the mechanistic paradigm that western medicine currently follows.

In former days Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Herbal therapy, Bach Flower Remedies and other natural methods were much more commonly employed in medicine. Many of these philosophies are currently experiencing a resurgence of followers. They all deal directly or indirectly with frequencies and Energetics.

Masaru Emoto’s work with water represents cutting edge awareness of the importance of frequencies expressed in thoughts which propagate as scalar waves (thought waves). His work aligns perfectly with that of Dr. Lechner and his Ska Sys system. This work involves the simplicity beyond the complexity and demonstrates the relative and mutable nature of the natural laws of the Universe. Our beliefs and thoughts have profound effects on the reality of what we experience and actively create in our lives. We have so much more control over our experiences than we can imagine by merely changing our point of view or belief about a situation.

Ska Sys presents a method for objectifying that which we have manifest by subjective choice, whether consciously or not, and the means to correct the undesirable situation. To date I have not worked with this technology as I would like to but have none the less seen many positive results.

Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)

Where a tooth is abscessed or damaged beyond simple repair, Root Canal Therapy may be recommended as a way of saving the tooth for further use in the mouth. The process involves removing the gangrenous nerve and blood vessel tissues from the pulp chamber and canals running down each root. Once the clean out is complete the root canals and pulp chamber are sealed and a final restoration is placed. It is, however, impossible to sterilize the tooth and if infection has found its way outside the apex of the tooth, that further complicates adequate healing. Additional lateral canals may exist that remain unclean and unsealed and the microscopic bacteria present easily infect the very pores of the roots.

This chronic infection possibly present after root canal therapy is completed is a real concern long term. Toxins and actual bacteria may be leaked into the blood stream and circulated throughout the body. Based on extensive research and case studies by Dr. Westin Price and more recently others, I am of the opinion that potential hazards of root canal therapy out weigh the benefits.

I no longer recommend Root Canal Therapy, but rather advocate extraction and surgical cleaning of the socket including removal of the remnants of the periodontal ligaments and any necrotic bone. Teeth may be less dangerously replaced by other methods. For some years I still performed root canal therapy, using a sealer the purported to completely prevent any leakage, but further evidence indicated that that was not necessarily true in all cases.

As with so many alternatives, the individual is left to decide for themselves what to believe. The internet has certainly been a boon to the dissemination of information but not necessarily reducing the difficulty involved with personal decision making.

Fluoride

The use of Fluoride in various forms (tooth paste, mouth wash, water supply, dental office Fluoride treatments, school programs, etc.) remains controversial. Organized dentistry as well as virtually all public agencies fully endorse both the safety and efficacy of supplemental Fluoride use as a decay preventive resource.
At the same time, much research, study and published information, including numerous books, exists claiming injury damage and poisoning due to Fluoride ingestion. Packaging of Fluoridated toothpaste displays a serious warning to take children who have consumed more than the recommended amount to a poison control center immediately. Fluoride has been used in rat poison!

What is one to think? What is a parent to do?

I have not recommended Fluoride use for over thirty years. My personal study has convinced me that Fluoride is not stable in the body, is toxic to numerous systems, and that possible benefits to teeth do not outweigh the potential damage to the individual as a whole.

I believe politics and economics have pushed health concerns aside in this matter and have contributed to the propagation of disinformation concerning health benefits and risks. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. More information may be found on the internet to assist in personal choice.

Reference Books:
Fluoridation: The Great Dilemma, Waldbott
Fluoridation, The National Health Federation
Fluoride, The Aging Factor, John Yiamouyiannis
The Fluoride Deception, Christopher Bryson