Introduction:
Since antiquity, herbs and spices have been produced from therapeutic plants with a wealth of minerals and organic material. Approximately 75% of the world's population still relies on it for healthcare, which is becoming more popular in industrialized and developing nations. Alkaloids, volatile essential oils, glycosides, resins, oleoresins, steroids, tannins, terpenes 2, and phenols are only a few active ingredients in herbs that give them their therapeutic properties. Because of its natural nature, ease of availability, efficacy, safety, and lack of side effects, herbal medicines have experienced exponential growth in recent years. The field of oral health has advanced significantly and has seen the emergence of numerous new trends. The subject of alternative and complementary medicine is attracting an ever-growing audience.
This dentistry integrates dental expertise with procedures from other medical systems to enhance a patient's oral health. The method considers the patient's complete health and is not limited to just one body part. A dentist uses electrical and physiologic techniques to identify areas of chronic disease. He then treats patients using alternative, conventional methods like ayurveda, homeopathy, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, etc. These conventional techniques are advantageous since they address the root cause, stimulate the body favorably, and are safe, biocompatible, and non-toxic.
What Is the Relation Between Dentistry and Ayurveda?
One of the earliest medical systems to originate from India is Ayurveda. It has existed for around 5000 years. Natural therapies found in ayurvedic herbs can be used. The proper herb in the right combination keeps the body system in balance. Numerous plant extracts have potential applications in endodontics. They can be utilized with comparatively few issues.
Triphala: These three herbs—Amulaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Halituki 4 (Terminalia chebula)—combine to form an ayurvedic rasayana. Citric acid, abundant in the fruit, has been proven to be an effective alternative to sodium hypochlorite for irrigation of root canals 5 and may help eliminate smear layers.
Propolis: This is made from resins that bees collect from poplar and fir trees and six species of clusia flowers. Viscidone is also a component. It is utilized as an irrigant for root canals, an intracanal medication, and a storage medium for teeth extracted to preserve the periodontal ligament.
Azadirachta Indica: Also referred to as the Indian margosa/neem tree. It has been demonstrated that this medicine works well against candida albicans and E. faecalis. As an alternative to sodium hypochlorite, its antibacterial and antioxidant qualities make it a viable agent for root canal irrigation.
This tea is produced only using Camellia sinensis leaves. Suppressing the bacterial enzyme gyrase by binding to the ATP B subunit causes the antibacterial action. E. faecalis pyknotic cells show antibacterial activity when exposed to green tea. It has been discovered to be an effective chelating agent.
Salvadora Persica Solution (Miswak-Siwak): Trimethyl amine, 13-salvadorime chloride, and fluoride are all present in significant proportions in their chewing sticks. It has the most potent antibacterial effects when extracted with alcohol, which is 15% alcohol. It can be used in place of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite as a root canal irrigant.
German Chamomile: It is used as a table tea, and its flowers contain several chemically active substances, including chlorogenic acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid chamazolene. It removes the smear layer and is more successful than NaOCl.
Tea Tree Oil: This is a native Australian plant whose main constituent, terpenin-4-ol, gives it antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Compared to EDTA and NaOCl, it is less effective as a root canal irrigant. Allium sativum, garlic Allicin, is the primary active ingredient in garlic. It regulates the immune system and has antimicrobial properties. Root canal bacteria have their cell walls and membranes destroyed by allicin. This is used as a substitute for NaOCl in irrigation.
Lemon Solution: Citric acid has a pH of 1.68 but is naturally present in lemon solution (pH 2.21) with less acidity. Compared to a natural lemon solution, citric acid, a manmade product, has certain unpleasant effects. Since fresh lemon solution is effective against a wide range of germs, including E. faecalis, it is utilized as a root canal treatment.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe leaves contain a clear gel, and the surrounding green portion of the leaf is used to make juice or dry goods. Barbados and alloys are the two main chemical components. Due to anthra quinine, aloe vera gel inhibits S. pyogens and E. faecalis.
Psoralea Corylifolia: It has been discovered that this is effective against E. faecalis. It works by damaging cell membranes and stopping DNA polymerase.
Turmeric: Massaging sore teeth with ground turmeric reduces swelling and pain.
What Is Aromatherapy In Dentistry?
Utilizing hormone-like stimulants called pure oil essences from plants and flowers, aromatherapy increases the patient's overall health. Since they are organic, gentle oils such as basil, bergamot, lavender, and sandalwood can calm, soothe, and relax is advantageous.
What Is Homeopathy In Dentistry?
Dental professionals employ homeopathy as a more organic method of practice. The therapy is a secure, healthy, non-addictive alternative that works for adults and kids. Patient's psychological or emotional conditions can be improved with homeopathic treatments without the depressing effects of traditional tranquilizers. Aconite (foxglove), Gelsemium (yellow jasmine), and Argentum nitricum (silver nitrate) are the three major treatments that holistic dentists take into consideration. Clinical experience has also shown that homeopathic therapies have been found to be beneficial, particularly for dental caries, dental abscesses, oral lesions, post-extraction hemorrhage, and even medications to treat anxious and tense youngsters.
Conclusion:
An expanding area of dental medicine that promotes the life process is naturopathy. It is a biocompatible, cosmetic, and largely harmless therapy method. However, more information is needed regarding these products' effectiveness, safety, and higher quality when used in endodontics. More of these compounds should be the topic of animal and human studies to ascertain their efficacy, side effects, toxicity, and drug interactions, as most investigations are conducted in vitro. More studies should be done in this area because the knowledge and understanding of natural approaches to treatment are still developing.
