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Arizona
Woman - Cover Story
BY
SUSAN ANTHONY
Dentistry
is more than a profession
for Dr.
Rebecca Griffiths.
It is a magnificent obsession. Griffiths uses a "whole-body" approach
to dentistry and prides herself on her diverse talents in all phases of
dental treatment. She has built a reputation for listening to her patients
and structuring their treatment to ensure their needs are met, while
emphasizing good function and aesthetics.
Many
of Griffiths' treatment philosophies were born out of her own
experiences. "The more health issues that I experienced personally and
that I witnessed my patients experience," she explains, "the more I
realized I had
to look past the teeth.
The total body had to be evaluated in order to provide stable,
long-lasting and comprehensive treatment for my patients. For example,
patients who have badly damaged and worn their teeth from
clenching and grinding
must first be treated for the cause of their clenching and grinding.
Rebuilding their teeth without addressing the cause which damaged their
teeth in the first place will likely result in their dental restorations
failing from further
clenching and grinding."
In
practice for more than 20 years, Griffiths has a bachelor's degree in
biology and
graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry. She and her husband,
Dr. Barry
Nestlerode,
who is also a graduate of the Temple University School of Dentistry,
recently moved their full-service family dental practice from the suburbs
of Philadelphia to Scottsdale. "We enjoy the diversity of providing
dentistry to children as well as senior citizens," says Griffiths. As a
young adult, Griffiths had to overcome great fears of dental treatment.
Because of her first-hand experience with dental phobia, she has dedicated
a large portion of her practice to the treatment of apprehensive and
nervous patients. Her compassionate treatment techniques have been so
successful that most patients have completely overcome their fears of
dentistry. According to recent studies, many women prefer a woman dentist
because they feel that a woman instinctively knows what another woman
needs, feels and thinks. Many people - both men and women - perceive
"a woman's touch" as being kinder, softer and gentler. Griffiths
feels that as a woman dentist, she is able to relate better to the
problems a woman experiences.
Griffiths
explains that many factors must be taken into account when selecting
materials to restore teeth. The proper materials must be selected for
patients to avoid allergic reactions from dental restorations. For
example, women who usually experience metal allergies with jewelry will
develop severe reactions in the gum tissue around the teeth crowned or
capped with material containing nickel.
Several
years ago, Griffiths attended a seminar on mercury toxicity. Recognizing
that she had some of the symptoms of mercury toxicity herself, she asked
her physician to run tests to evaluate the presence of mercury in her
body. When the tests came back showing a toxic level of mercury as a
result of her many years of exposure to silver mercury filling material,
she underwent mercury detoxification treatment. Griffiths no longer uses
silver mercury fillings in her practice to restore teeth. Mercury toxicity
is known to cause hair loss, itchy rashes and skin eruptions, irritability
of the digestive tract, short-term memory deficiency and a compromised
immune system.
Another
focus of Griffiths' practice is the treatment of chronic head, neck
and facial pain patients.
About 17 years ago, she experienced first-hand the devastating pain of
temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), and could find no relief other
than pharmaceuticals prescribed by various physicians who treated her
symptoms, rather than the causes. Her search for help for herself led her
to Dr. Brendan Stack, a world-renowned TMJ expert in Washington, D.C.,
experienced in the treatment of patients with chronic head and neck
pain.
Stack's
treatment quickly relieved Griffiths' headaches without drugs or
surgery. Griffiths studied with Stack for several years and has had great
success utilizing his treatment techniques for her facial pain patients
since 1993. Many patients experience relief from their symptoms just a few
days after wearing the dental appliance (splint) Griffiths makes for them.
Symptoms associated with TMJ problems include headaches, facial pain, neck
pain, and grinding or clenching of the teeth. She shares the information
she has learned about TMJ dysfunction, its symptoms and treatment on her
Web site at www.TMJArizona.com.
Many
people today are interested in improving the appearance of their teeth and
their smiles. Griffiths explains that "today's techniques of smile
design can reshape a patient's teeth, mouth and face without surgery."
Griffiths is able to create a more attractive or youthful appearance for a
patient by using cosmetic, reconstructive or orthopedic/orthodontic
procedures to achieve this goal. The patient's facial appearance can
improve dramatically as the teeth and bone move because the teeth and bone
provide the underlying structural support for the lips and face. Griffiths
feels that the future of dentistry offers exciting opportunities for
patients. "The advances in cosmetic dentistry, TMJ therapy and
orthodontics since I graduated dental school have been phenomenal.
"As
interest in holistic medicine continues to grow, we will discover more
valuable therapies that can be integrated with the dental treatment we
provide to our patients," she continues. "As more and more is
understood about the human body, it becomes a full-time job to keep up
with the advances in medicine and dentistry.
"This
past year, studies have linked active periodontal, or gum, disease as a
direct causative agent for coronary artery and heart disease. Few people
had a clue to this relationship just a year or two ago, but the bottom
line is dentists are not just treating teeth. As dentists, we are treating
people, and the impact on the entire body must be taken into account."
Griffiths and Nestlerode have co-authored several books on dentistry, and
their video production company, Professional
Development Programs Inc., has
produced educational programming for the field of dentistry. Their dental
video programs have been implemented in private practices, colleges and
vocational schools around the world.
Dr. Griffiths' practice is located at 3420 E. Shea Blvd Suite 151, in Phoenix. For more information or to make an
appointment,
call (602) 867- 4317.
PHOTO:
TINA CELLE
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