Did you know that traditional dental fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, contain mercury? While many believe the level is too low to be of concern, holistic dentistry holds firm to the belief that no amount of mercury exposure is safe. Research has shown that flossing, brushing, eating, and drinking can all cause the release of neurotoxic mercury vapors into your bloodstream.

Our holistic dentistry team at Well Rooted Dentistry is not only mercury-free, but we are mercury-safe. This means we can safely remove amalgam fillings and replace them with non-toxic materials without leaking mercury vapors.

We also believe that for your overall well-being, dental restorations should be more than just mercury-free. We believe they should be biocompatible, non-toxic, and natural. That is why we utilize the most advanced dental measures possible to ensure we use the best materials for each patient with all procedures.

What does biocompatible mean in holistic dentistry?

Biocompatible is a fancy word that simply means “not harmful to living tissue.” And this is important, as holistic dentistry is about understanding the potential effect on your entire body with each dental treatment.

While many people understand the potential risks of neurotoxic mercury, there can also be concerns with other materials used to fabricate dental restorations. For instance, many of the materials used for dental restorations contain aluminum, which is toxic to humans.

In addition, patients may be hypersensitive or have allergic reactions to certain common dental materials, such as nickel, gold, or titanium.

That is why Well Rooted Dentistry uses MELISA® testing and BIOCOMP laboratories to ensure we choose the best materials for you and your overall well-being.

What can MELISA® testing do for me?

MELISA is an acronym for Memory Lymphocyte Immuno Stimulation Assay. It is a simple blood test that measures hypersensitivity to many metals, including nickel, titanium, gold, and mercury. For this process, we draw your blood and send it to MELISA. They remove the white blood cells from your blood and place them into contact with numerous metals. They then evaluate and monitor reactions under a microscope for signs that could indicate hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.

This testing gives you peace of mind by ensuring the materials we choose for you are biocompatible and won’t cause any adverse outcomes.

Why does biocompatibility matter?

If you are hypersensitive or allergic to a metal and that metal is placed in your body, your immune system will see it as a foreign invader and attack it. This can put your immune system in overdrive, leading to a variety of negative symptoms.

The most common symptoms of an overactive immune system include:

  • Chronic Inflammation and Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle and Joint Pain
  • Depression
  • Skin Rashes
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Fibromyalgia

Consider someone allergic to nickel who breaks out in a rash after wearing costume jewelry that contains nickel. Now consider the potential adverse outcomes for that same individual if nickel is placed inside her body. Whether the metal is placed as a dental filling, a pacemaker, or during joint replacement surgery, exposure to a metal you are allergic or hypersensitive to can lead to numerous health issues.

MELISA is a clinically validated, scientifically proven method to detect allergy or hypersensitivity to numerous metals.

What is BIOCOMP laboratories?

BIOCOMP labs understands the importance of biocompatibility and caters to the unique needs of holistic dentistry. Their goal is to provide data that allows you and your holistic dentist to make an informed decision on the materials used for restorations.

They do this by performing dental material testing for individual biocompatibility to ensure the health and well-being of each patient. The process involves a sophisticated procedure with your blood to measure the immune system response of specific metals.

Anytime a foreign substance comes into contact with the immune system, a reaction occurs. Reactivity corresponds to how much change occurs in the immune system when encountering a foreign substance, including dental materials. A “highly reactive” material should be avoided whenever possible, as it can put the immune system into overdrive, potentially worsening a medical condition or causing a new one.

After testing, BIOCOMP labs sends a comprehensive report that tells us if each metal is “least reactive,” “moderately reactive,” or “highly reactive.” These results will help you and your holistic dental team avoid dental toxicity by using the least reactive materials for you.

Consider Holistic Dentistry Options for Dental Restorations

Are you interested in your overall well-being and in need of restorative dentistry? You should consider finding a holistic dentist who understands the connection between oral health and overall health.

If you are in the Providence, RI area, you can rest assured the team at Well Rooted Dentistry will prioritize your overall health when considering dental treatments. We combine state-of-the-art dental technology with holistic healing methods to help you achieve optimal health.

Call our knowledgeable, friendly team today at 401-443-4007 to schedule your next dental visit.

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