Whole Body Dentistry

Holistic dentistry, perhaps better described as Whole Body Dentistry, is a discipline of dentistry that is particularly aware of the impact that oral health has on systemic health. It recognizes that dental procedures and materials used may affect a patient's health in either a positive or a negative way. Holistic dentists use the most biocompatible dental materials and techniques available and use the least invasive procedures to restore teeth.

Amalgam fillings have been used extensively over the past one hundred and seventy years, and they still remain a contentious issue. The majority of dental associations around the world maintain that they are safe to use, while there is a growing number of dentists and organizations that are concerned about their negative health implications as well as their impact on the environment.

Amalgam consists of 50% mercury, 35% silver, and smaller amounts of tin, copper and zinc. Mercury as we know, is one of the most toxic substances known to mankind. It was originally believed that mercury is tightly bound within this filling, but it has subsequently been proven that small amounts of mercury vapor do, in fact, get released from these fillings. The protagonists argue that these quantities are so minute they do not cause any harm to the patients and are well below the toxic threshold determined by the World Health organization.  Nevertheless, we feel that even if a small amount of a poison remains, there cannot be a safe threshold that applies to all individuals. Continual exposure to low doses can result in symptoms. Some people are more sensitive to mercury than others. While it appears that the majority of the population tolerates its existing amalgam fillings well, there is a large number of patients suffering from non-responsive chronic illnesses and fatigue who display symptoms of mercury toxicity. 

They are convinced that these fillings are making them ill. Should they decide to have their fillings replaced, it must be done in a safe way using special protocols or else the symptoms could worsen dramatically, as increased volumes of mercury are released and ingested during placement and removal of amalgam.

Due to the unrelenting controversy about the effect of amalgam fillings on systemic health, it is sensible to avoid them, especially as there are such excellent alternative materials available, namely composite and porcelain. Instead of merely filling a damaged tooth as amalgam does, composite and porcelain, correctly applied, can actually restore teeth, reinforcing them to their former function, beauty, and strength. These materials are more technique-sensitive and require special skills. They take longer to place and cost more than amalgam but are well worth it. Patients should discuss the available options with their dentist prior to having a filling done.

Determine if the dentist you have selected will be minimizing your exposure to mercury vapor by using these procedures:

• The dentist and assistant should use high volumes of cold water, both from the drill and separate irrigation and evacuation by the assistant, to cool the filling and minimize your exposure to vapor and amalgam particles.
• They should section the filling into chunks and pop them out, rather than just grinding, to reduce the amount of vapor generated.
• They should use a rubber dam membrane to minimize the ingestion of amalgam particles.

It is imperative that the dental office utilizes the safest protocols during amalgam removal, including high volume suction, plentiful water supply, special drill bits, rubber dam to isolate the tooth as well as nutritional supplementation where required.