Biological Family Dentistry
Foundational Roots uses biological dentistry to walk beside their patients in pursuing their overall health.
Early intervention and everyday healthy dental care
Biological Family Dentistry
At Foundational Roots, our practice adopts a biological family dentistry approach in caring for our patients. Sometimes known as biological or biological dentistry, we focus on the total health and well-being of you and your family rather than just your oral health, therefore, allowing us to promote your overall systemic health.
Many traditional dental practices perform what is sometimes called “drill, fill, and bill” services. Such an approach addresses isolated issues such as cavities, for example, without resolving the underlying imbalances that are affecting your health. At Foundational Roots, we seek to understand the connections between oral health and the rest of the body, recognizing that issues in the mouth can affect other areas of health, and vice versa. In addition, we use biocompatible materials for dental restorations when needed which allows us to minimize the use of chemicals and toxins in treatments, and emphasize prevention and conservative treatment approaches.
As part of our biological family dentistry practices, we promote educational opportunities with our patients such as lifestyle habits, the importance of balanced nutrition, and maintaining a healthy oral microbiome for overall wellness. The goal is to provide comprehensive dental care that supports the body’s natural healing processes and promotes both long-term overall health and oral health.
Prevention Strategies and Treatments
Adopting a biological approach to preventative dental therapy involves creating tailored, individualized strategies and treatment plans for patients. Each person has their own unique set of influences that affect the makeup of their oral health. At Foundational Roots, we seek to understand your oral health composition, to tailor our treatment plans and optimize your outcomes.
Some examples of areas we will consider as part of our recommendations for prevention strategies and treatments:
- Functional Medicine Principles
- Nutritional Guidance
- Lifestyle Adjustments
- Oral Hygiene Instruction
- Functional Assessment
Find your balance, health & happiness the natural way.
About Dr. Bowers
Dr. Piiamari Bowers is a Functional Oral Medicine Dentist in Dexter, Michigan. After over 20 years in dentistry, she opened Foundational Roots where she takes a whole-body, biological, and functional approach with her patients. Her dentistry, and her practice, is motivated by a compassion for healing and are grounded in science.
Mission & Vision
Foundational Roots is a biological dental office based near Ann Arbor.
We envision a world where holistic wellness and dental health are seamlessly integrated. Our mission is to empower individuals to embrace a natural approach to life, where overall well-being is our priority. We strive to lead the way in functional dentistry, prioritizing your health goals with innovative, natural, and compassionate care. Together, we create a healthier future, one step at a time.
F.A.Q
What is biological dentistry?
Biological dentistry is dentistry with a natural approach. Dr. Bowers and her team will educate patients about early prevention and techniques to use a more natural approach while taking care of their oral health.
Many dental practices perform what is sometimes called “drill, fill, and bill” services. Such an approach addresses isolated issues such as cavities, for example, without resolving the underlying imbalances that are affecting your health. At Foundational Roots, we seek to understand the connections between oral health and the rest of the body, recognizing that issues in the mouth can affect other areas of health, and vice versa. In addition, we use biocompatible materials for dental restorations when needed which allows us to minimize the use of chemicals and toxins in treatments, and emphasize prevention and conservative treatment approaches.
As part of our biological family dentistry practices, we promote educational opportunities with our patients such as lifestyle habits, the importance of balanced nutrition, and maintaining a healthy oral microbiome for overall wellness. The goal is to provide comprehensive dental care that supports the body's natural healing processes and promotes both long-term overall health and oral health.
How do you handle my silver fillings? How do you take them out and what do you replace them with?
Our team always uses protective clothing when removing mercury fillings but we go further by providing special tools like rubber dams and vacuums that capture harmful particles and vapors in the air. For extra protection against dangerous vapors, patients receive clean oxygen too.
To reduce mercury release during filing removal, cool water is utilized as well as cutting it into chunks before drilling. The whole area is then rinsed with chlorella or charcoal slurry to remove any residue, this is all for your health and safety.
Are kids welcome at Foundational Roots?
Yes! We love meeting kids of all ages! We believe that early intervention of biological dentistry has lifelong benefits. While the APDA recommends your child visit the dentist by age one, or when they get their first tooth we are happy to see kids at any time.
You can schedule a consultation or appointment here!
What do you think about root canals?
We do not do them. If you have one we watch it closely and Dr. Bowers will recommend various restoration options best suited to the patient's personal needs.
Do you have a cone beam CT machine?
We have someone we recommend you to and we read the scans in our office.
Do you have ozone? How do you use it?
Yes, it fights infection. Learn all about ozone therapy here!
Do you use fluoride or do you have other ways to help keep my teeth healthy or even help heal my teeth?
No, we use hydroxyapatite to remineralize teeth. We believe we can heal cavities and help your teeth longer.
Do you use do X-rays in your office?
We try to limit X-rays when we can to help protect you and limit the amount of radiation.
Do you accept insurance?
We are pleased that you have insurance benefits to help with the cost of your dental care. We would like to help you obtain the maximum use of these benefits.
One of the values we take pride in at Foundational Roots is the role of transparency in building trust with our patients; therefore, we must note that we are unable to accept health or dental insurance. While many traditional dental practices rely on insurance companies to help cover portions of patients’ expenses, we are unable to do so at this time.
Our top priority for our patients is the highest level of care possible, and, unfortunately, insurance companies will not pay for several of our general practice biological services. We do hope that one day the insurance industry will see the critical importance of helping people through biological dental care. We will continue to voice our opposition to insurance companies’ position on this issue.
The Foundational Roots team understands that some patients may be concerned about affording biological dental care without insurance. We will give patients appropriately filled out claim forms to send to their insurance company for reimbursement. Our services are HSA-eligible, and we're here to assist you in exploring various financing options.
Payment for treatment rendered is due at the time of service. We encourage you to consider the long-term benefits of investing in your oral health. Please reach out to us, so that we can discuss payment options tailored to your needs. We accept MasterCard, VISA, and CareCredit.
Our Practice
Make an Appointment
Foundational Roots is a biological dental office based near Ann Arbor. They strive to meet your goals of living a more natural approach to life with the inclusion of your dental health.
Location
7300 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd
Suite #300
Dexter, Michigan 48130
Located inside of Dexter Dental
Open Hours
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9am - 5pm
Expanded hours coming soon!