Imagine going to the dentist's office and finding foot reflexology, aromatherapy, meditation, soothing music by stereo headphones, comfort pillows and virtual reality! Even the most anxious patient is placed at ease.

Stress free dental care enables your body to heal more effectively and to easily tolerate procedures usually accompanied by fear and pain.

While an atmosphere of relaxation and reassurance is important, holistic dentistry is about more than a pleasant environment, it’s about results. Since the negative effects of anxiety on health and healing are well documented, Dr.Gotthelf uses a variety of holistic methods to make your visit stress-free and enjoyable, including:

Reflexology and Foot Massage

"We can relax patients by refocusing their attention and energy away from the dental stressors," explains Dr. Gotthelf. By massaging specific areas of the feet, energy can be released to other areas of the body. This reduces tension in the shoulders, neck and face, and lowers breathing and heart rates. Reflexology also controls pain and improves the healing process after dental care.

Acupressure and Acupuncture:

Acupressure is the ancient Chinese healing method of applying pressure to certain points on the body to relieve pain. Acupressure is often used during anesthesia injections to reduce anxiety and minimize pain.

Acupuncture uses very fine needles gently placed in specific points of the body to promote healing and relieve stress. Dr. Gotthelf has developed several protocols with our acupuncturist to treat anxiety, reduce pain, and promote healing.

Paraffin Hand Treatments

While you're having your dental care, your hands can be treated with moisturizing, deeply soothing paraffin therapy. You simply dip your hands in warm paraffin wax before being seated in the dental chair, and let the warmth seep through your skin and joints while you relax!

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

EMS is a therapeutic device to improve circulation and stimulate the muscles. It is great for stress and anxiety reduction.

Virtual Reality Goggles

Whether you choose to view a meditation video or watch a movie, these comfortable glasses make it seem as if you're right in the film!

Meditation CDs and Videos
The therapeutic benefits of meditation are well-documented. Use your dental visits as an opportunity to develop or deepen your meditation practice. You'll have easier dental visits and learn skills for coping with stress in any situation.

Comfort Pillows and Blankets

Let us tuck you in with the soft, warm neck and back pillows and blankets. We'll show you the true meaning of TLC.

Aromatherapy and Soothing Nitrous Oxide

The use of pleasing aromas to affect mood has become very popular. A study in 1995, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, reported that 82% of dental patients exposed to floral scents experienced a sense of well-being and reduced levels of anxiety. Fragrances can have a subliminal effect on mood, so we eliminate medicinal odors with healing aromatherapy. As patients undergo dental work, they are also engaging in breathing exercises and watching meditation CD's and videos, which helps reduce anxiety and pain. Our entire office is suffused with a variety of therapeutic aromas to help you have a positive experience.

Biocompatible Non-Mercury Filling Materials

Holistic dentistry is in many ways more conservative than traditional dentistry. One area where this is evident is in the use of metallic dental fillings. Introduced in 1908, the mercury used in these fillings is a known toxin. While the evidence against amalgam fillings is inconclusive; safe, effective alternatives are now available. Dr. Gotthelf limits the amount of toxins patients are exposed to and helps enhance the immune system to fight disease.

That’s why for years, Dr. Gotthelf has offered new materials that are non-toxic, long-lasting and natural-looking, including composite resins, porcelain and gold fillings and even titanium implants. Dr. Gotthelf also uses holistic methods to protect you from exposure to toxins during the removal of old amalgam fillings.

All Natural, Non-Toxic Dental Hygiene Products and Tools

Dr. Gotthelf limits the amount of toxins patients are exposed to and helps enhance the immune system to fight disease.

• Before x-rays, Dr. Gotthelf gives patients antioxidant vitamins to help scavenge tissue-damaging free radicals, which form in response to radiation.
• She also uses white bonded resin fillings to eliminate the possibility of releasing toxic mercury caused by silver amalgam fillings.
• When removing old amalgams, Dr. Gotthelf isolates the area so you don't breathe mercury vapor in the process.
• Surgical patients are offered natural enzymatic medications to reduce swelling and inflammation.
• For periodontal therapy, lasers and non-toxic antibacterial agents containing zinc, chlorine dioxide and aloe are used wherever possible. Stronger agents such as antibiotics are used locally, avoiding the damaging effects to the immune system caused by systemic antibiotics.

  Periodontal Disease and Overall Health

More and more research is demonstrating a relationship between gum disease and overall health. When we talk about a "holistic" approach, this is just what we mean: we don't treat you as an isolated tooth or gum problem. We treat you, the entire person and your body.

Periodontal disease has been shown to be an even stronger predictor of heart disease than more traditionally used risk factors such as low "good" cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high fibrinogen (a clotting factor). For more information, see the following:

• A WebMD article entitled What Your Dentist Knows About Your Health
• How Gum Disease Is Linked To Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
• Dr Gotthelf's lecture The Mouth-Body Connection

View Dr. Gotthelf's advanced Dental Technology.