A holistic dentist, also known as a biological dentist, believes not only in providing sound oral care but that proper oral care is fundamentally connected to a patient’s overall health and well-being. They know conditions that affect oral health can and do affect the health of other parts of the body.
Holistic dentists advocate for minimally invasive dentistry and seek to educate patients on the use of biocompatible dental materials such as composites. Biocompatible materials, simply, are materials that do not harm living tissue. Many biological dentists are trained not just to provide metal-free dentistry, but to provide metal removal from past dental procedures as well.
That is because, despite metal being used in dental work for many years, recent research has shown that dental metal can be harmful. Mercury, as well as other materials traditionally found in dental metals, can be toxic.
That is just one of the reasons biological dentists believe metal-free dentistry is better than metal-inclusive dentistry. Here are a few more:
Metal can weaken teeth over time.
Temperature changes affect dental metal and thereby weaken the tooth it is attached to. That can cause bacterial infection and even tooth decay. Placement of metal fillings also requires tooth structure removal, and that can sometimes cause chips or fractures.
Metal-free fillings are much more natural-looking.
Composite fillings used in metal-free dentistry are made of resin. These resin fillings can be made to match natural tooth color almost identically, making them a much more aesthetically appealing option than metal fillings.
Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings do not discolor the area surrounding the tooth. Therefore, composite is a better option for maintaining a healthy long-term appearance.
Metal-free fillings are safer.
Composite fillings contain adhesive that bonds to teeth and requires less drilling in preparation for tooth filling. Amalgam, by contrast, requires a significant portion of the natural tooth to be removed to place the filling. Composite can also repair small damage in the tooth that metal cannot such as chips, breaks, or worn-out edges.
The use of composite materials is less invasive.
The use of amalgam makes for more invasive dental procedures that can leave teeth vulnerable to breaks. Composite is softer and therefore exerts less stress on the tooth, making breaks or chips less likely.
Composite is easily replaceable.
When a tooth filled with composite suffers a break or a loss of the filling, more composite is simply added. That is not the case with metal. When an amalgam filling needs to be repaired, the entire filling must be removed first before a new filling can be inserted. Aside from discomfort during the removal, there are also potential health risks.
Removing a metal filling that contains mercury can result in harmful vapors being released into the patient’s system. That is why the experts at Well Rooted Dentistry use the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique or SMART to remove amalgam fillings. Developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, these safety protocols outline how to safely remove amalgam fillings without leaking mercury into the system.
Metal-Free Biological Dentistry in Providence, RI
The biological dentists at Well Rooted Dentistry believe a patient’s holistic health is paramount, and that holistic oral health begins by using materials that are biocompatible. Call (401) 443-4007 or conveniently schedule a consultation through our website today to learn more about how metal-free dentistry can help you.
