What Is Functional Dentistry?
Functional dentistry is based on the premise that the mouth, teeth, and gums are interconnected with the rest of the body, as well as the patient’s lifestyle, diet, and overall well-being, influencing each other on multiple levels.
What is the difference between conventional and functional dentistry?
To find the root causes of the problem, a functional dentist follows a detailed diagnostic protocol that carefully evaluates all components of the dental system – jaw joining, gums, bones, teeth, and tongue, but also the patient’s dental and medical history, lifestyle, and nutritional status.
Sometimes we include other experts – speech therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, or other doctors to get an in-depth analysis of the patient’s condition from all relevant angles.
After analyzing all the findings from different diagnostic procedures, a functional dentist will diagnose problems, and then develop a personalized treatment plan that includes different procedures and therapies working together to resolve all problems and improve patients’ well-being.
Dr. Rudolf Slaviček, our teacher, mentor, and an inspiration
Prof. Rudolf Slaviček (1928-2022.) was a pioneer in interdisciplinary dentistry and a widely recognized expert in functional diagnostics and therapy. By combining different procedures and therapies and a thorough understanding of the human dental system, dr. Slaviček developed innovative procedures, in-depth diagnostic protocols, and treatments that advanced dentistry in many ways. Today many dentists across the world attend education to enrich their practice and learn techniques that help them treat successfully some of the most complicated dental problems. He was a Full Professor for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics at the University Clinic of Dental and Oral Medicine in Vienna.
Where can I read more about functional dentistry?
You can visit the VieSID website. This non-profit organization is dedicated to research and teaching this method. Dr. Manol Ivchev, our chief doctor, is one of the licensed VieSID educators.