Dr John Utama BDS (NZ)
Job Title:
Dentist Biography:
There is no doubt that prevention is better than cure. In my opinion, the most important age to see a dentist is between 6-12 years. Management of the facial growth and therefore, dental development is absolutely critical at this age, which will determine later, healthy teeth and gums, functional facial muscles and TMJs. It is serendipitous that when the body is healthy, beauty follows. Having said this, it is never too late for adults at any age to have healthy teeth and gums, and acquiring a great smile. At Capri Dental, we can show you how to achieve these goals. I graduated from University of Otago (New Zealand) in 1984. In the first 5 years as a dentist, the bulk of my work was relieving patients of pain, which involved the obligatory drill and fill, endless extractions and also making dentures. For about 7 years I placed my name as an after hours dentist, and there was barely a weekend when I did not see a patient requiring emergency treatment. The following 10 years, I learned about basic cosmetic dentistry, in particular composite veneers and a little later, porcelain veneers and crowns. Five years after that, I took courses in implants and orthodontics. The last five years I have been learning about neuromuscular dentistry, studying the relationship between the bite, facial muscles and the TMJ joints. Recently, I have taken courses in Functional Orthodontics, which is the science of facial growth guidance. Essentially, I am now integrating all disciplines of dentistry and treating the patient as a whole, not just their teeth. In the next five years I can see myself teaching children about correct breathing and posture, more and more adults will be treated with braces to correct the bite into the neuromuscular position, and managing patients with OSA. Fifteen years after that? Nobody knows. However, one thing I know for sure is that I will never stop learning. It is now becoming clear to me that teeth, the bite, the muscles, the joints and the rest of the body are inextricably linked together. If one part of the body becomes dysfunctional, it is inevitable that other parts of the body will be adversely affected, in some shape or form. I am seeing a pattern of 'red flags' from early childhood that leads to major problems in adults, such as OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), which is linked to cardiovascular disease and stroke; and TMD (TemporoMandibular Dysfunction),
