DR. SALVADOR CONGOST
Back in 1990, Dr. Salvador Congost got to know the American dentist and biologist Robert Lee, DMD, in the course of his postgraduate education. Dr. Congost was immediately impressed and won over by Lee’s comprehensive, biologically-oriented view of the function of the masticatory system, which extends far beyond what was taught at universities then and still is today.
Understanding the masticatory system as a separate, highly sensitive biofunctional organ that exists in equilibrium with the rest of the body opens up a wide range of possible diagnoses and treatments for functional disorders.
Inspired by Lee’s approach, Dr. Congost decided to focus his dental activities on the functional rehabilitation of the masticatory system and on restorative dentistry. A specialism of this kind was highly innovative and unusual at the time.
To provide colleagues and dental technicians with sound, structured training in functional dentistry, Dr. Congost began to develop a training curriculum in 1998 in partnership with Orognathic Bioesthetics International (the precursor to today’s OBI Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry) based in Oregon. Together with Dr. Norbert Gehrig, he founded O.B.I. Europe the same year.
Ever since then, Dr. Congost has been one of the few specialists in this field in Germany and Europe, and an internationally-sought speaker for lectures and dental workshops.
Originally from Munich, Dr. Congost has had his own practice specializing in restorative dentistry and masticatory function in Kinsau, Bavaria, since 1988.
DR. SALVADOR CONGOST IS
- a member and former board member of the Kempten Dental Workgroup (“Zahnärztlicher Arbeitskreis Kempten e.V.”)
- a member of the German Society for Stomatology (“Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zahn- Mund- und Kieferheilkunde”, DGZMK)
- a member of the German Society of Craniomandibular Function and Disorders (“Deutsche Gesellschaft für Funktionsdiagnostik und –therapie”, DGFDT)
- a founding member of the European Dental Association (EDA)
- a member of the Academy of Bioesthetic Dentistry (ABD), USA
Dr. Congost has been
- awarded the “Certificate of Achievement in Bioesthetic Rehabilitation LIV” by Orognathic Bioesthetics International
- recognized as a “specialist in reconstructive dentistry, esthetics and function” by the EDA
NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS
At the start of the 1990s, Dr. Congost recognized that dental medicine of the very highest quality could no longer be accomplished by individual dentists working alone. So he began to cultivate a comprehensive network of specialists in order to guarantee his patients the best possible treatment in all areas of dentistry.
This network of carefully selected recognized specialists in Germany and abroad has grown over the years and helps us meet the highest standards of dentistry. Depending on the case in question, use of this network forms part of the overall course of treatment.
Our network includes specialists in the following areas:
- Dental technology
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Oral and periodontal surgery
- Maxillofacial surgery
- Osteopathy and physiotherapy
INFORMATION FOR FELLOW PROFESSIONALS
From our many years of expertise and specialism in this area, we know how difficult it is to treat patients with functional disorders of the masticatory system and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a way that permanently addresses the causes.
Patients often suffer from these symptoms for a long time, sometimes greatly, without the masticatory system being recognized as the cause. They are also often incorrectly labelled as “teeth-grinders” or “bruxers“, or it is assumed that their complaint is psychogenic in origin. Neither of these approaches addresses the problem.
We also know that many dentists who have no qualms when it comes to other fields of dentistry are uncertain when it comes to treating patients with functional disorders of the masticatory system, as the necessary expertise in this area can only be attained by treating patients of this kind on a very regular basis.
As such, patients are often referred to us by other dentists, as well as by osteopaths and physiotherapists.
Taking the following approach has proven beneficial:
We’ll determine whether or not an arthropathy, myopathy or occlusopathy is partly or wholly responsible for the symptoms of the patient you’ve referred to us.
(In such cases, it is entirely possible that a purely osteopathic/physiotherapeutic treatment would be difficult to perform, or that its permanent success would be rendered impossible).
If this is the case, we will make a treatment recommendation for your patient.
If desired, we will provide the patient with splint therapy, as an appropriate pretreatment based on their diagnosis, until they are asymptomatic and have developed a stable bite position. Then, if necessary and if desired by the patient, you can provide them with further restorative or orthopedic treatment. If you do not want to perform this yourself, we’ll take care of this for you too.
We would like to thank all of our fellow professional dentists, osteopaths and physiotherapists for their trust in us; our practice team is happy about every patient it has been able to successfully treat.
