A Kois-trained dentist has completed extensive postgraduate training that changes how dentists think about diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term outcomes. The Kois Center has shaped the way Dr. Jennifer Graas approaches dentistry, and if you’re a patient at Eau Claire Park Dental, it shapes the care you receive too.
About the Kois Center
The Kois Center is a postgraduate dental education facility focused on evidence-based, science-driven dentistry. Its curriculum covers aesthetics, implants, restorative care, periodontics, and functional relationships, giving dentists a comprehensive framework for diagnosis and treatment planning that goes well beyond what many continuing education programs offer. The goal is predictable outcomes and the highest level of patient care.
Beyond the Tooth: A System-Based Approach
When you have a problem with a single tooth, it’s easy to focus only on that spot. Fixing the chip, filling the cavity, or placing a crown addresses the immediate issue, but it doesn’t always get to the reason the problem happened in the first place.
Is it a bite-related issue? Is there excessive wear from grinding? Is the underlying tooth structure compromised?
The Kois methodology gives dentists a framework to answer these questions systematically. Kois-trained dentists perform a comprehensive risk assessment across four pillars of dental health:
- Periodontal (Gums and Bone): We evaluate the health of your gums and the bone supporting your teeth. This goes beyond looking for gum disease and includes assessing your genetic predisposition and other risk factors that could affect long-term stability.
- Biomechanics (Teeth and Structure): We look at the structural integrity of your teeth, existing fillings, crowns, cracks, and wear patterns to identify which teeth might be at risk for future fractures or problems.
- Functional (Bite and Jaw): We analyze how your teeth come together and how your jaw functions. An unstable bite or TMJ issues can cause a cascade of problems, from worn-down teeth and muscle pain to broken dental work.
- Aesthetics (Smile Characteristics): We look at the appearance of your smile in the context of function, not just cosmetics. The Kois approach integrates smile design with how your bite and jaw system work together.
How This Shapes Your Care
When you choose a Kois-trained dentist in Calgary, your treatment plan is built around your specific risk factors.
Predictable, Long-Lasting Results
Kois principles are based on extensive scientific research, which makes treatment outcomes more predictable. When we understand all the forces at play, we can design restorations—veneers, crowns, or bridges—that are built to withstand those forces over time. That reduces the risk of premature failures, chipping, or complications that lead to more dental work down the line.
Conservative, Enamel-First Dentistry
A core principle of the Kois philosophy is preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Understanding the biomechanics of your teeth often opens the door to more conservative solutions. For example, rather than recommending a crown for a worn tooth, we might first identify and address the bite issue causing the wear. This often means less invasive work and more focus on protecting what’s already there.
Clarity and Co-Diagnosis
Kois dentists are trained to use a clear, systematic process to explain what we see and what it means for your long-term health. We walk through what we're seeing and why it matters, so by the time we discuss treatment options, you have the full picture. The decisions about your care are always yours to make.
Staying Current with the Science
The Kois Center continuously updates its curriculum based on the latest scientific literature and clinical evidence. For Dr. Graas, that means ongoing education on new materials, diagnostic tools, and preventive dentistry techniques. For her patients, it means dental care that evolves as new evidence emerges.
See a Kois-Trained Dentist in Calgary
As a Clinical Instructor at the Kois Center, Dr. Graas now mentors dentists from around the world. It’s an extension of the same evidence-based approach that guides care at Eau Claire Park Dental. Whether you're coming in for a routine cleaning, considering Microthin veneers, or working through a more complex functional issue, your care is guided by the same principles Dr. Graas teaches.
Call us at 403-263-6340 to book your appointment.
