When you visit your dentist, you trust that tooth repair will be completed with materials that have been proven to last many years and have shown no evidence of adverse effects on health. Today, the majority of general dentists all over the world have been trained to place amalgam fillings in dental schools, and they have been told that the mercury in the amalgam fillings was safe. The vast majority of general dentists continue to use practices first developed more than a century ago, namely placing mercury filled amalgam dental fillings. Through numerous research studies, the safety and use of dental amalgam has been brought into question, and dentists like Dr. Michaela McKenzie have chosen to not use any materials that are not organically based and tested to be safe. The IAOMT dentists have looked at the scientific research and have been bolstered in their commitment to the use of only the safest dental materials.
It is important to understand that not all dental materials are safe, as sad as this may seem. Both general and holistic dentists regularly perform restorative care ranging from fillings to crowns to implants and other treatments. What differentiates one from the other is the way dental materials are chosen for individual patients.
In many general practices, the choice of material comes down to preference of the dentist or the patient. When providing care to patients, the holistic dentist will take the time to question whether a material may cause an allergy or sensitivity. Common dental materials to consider include:
- Amalgam dental fillings
- Gold dental fillings or crowns
- Composite resin for veneers or fillings
- Porcelain-fused zirconia crowns or bridges
- Porcelain-fused metal crowns or bridges
- All porcelain fillings, crowns, or veneers
The most problematic restorations are those that include metals. Allergies or sensitivities to metal are more common than most people think. In several studies, the presence of metal in the blood has been detected shortly after the placement of a metal restoration. The accumulation of heavy metals in the blood and organs can cause several persistent health concerns, such as chronic fatigue.
In addition to the issue of allergies or sensitivity, there is the concern regarding the “battery effect” which may occur when saliva meets metal restorations. The body is strongly electromagnetic. When metal is placed into the mouth, where electrolytic fluid is present, galvanism results. Oral galvanism is a condition that has effects on health, particularly on the nervous system, which we do not fully understand at this time.
Dental materials are intended to restore strength to a damaged tooth or teeth. At the same time, a restoration should not pose a risk to health and wellbeing. To learn more about the dental materials that are best suited to you, contact the office of Dr. Michaela McKenzie.
