metal-free dentist Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

I prefer natural medication and need a dental crown. I am looking for something that is completely metal free including ions because I want to keep my body healthy and feel that these foreign substances will harm me. Do you know what Vita ceramic is made of? Is it glass?

Ceanne

Dear Ceanne,

While there are many options in getting a metal-free dental crown, I do not believe you will find anything without metal ions. These are something completely different than metal. In fact, in many cases, they are necessary for your body to survive. Here are a couple of examples:

Iron: The hemoglobin in our blood has (and needs) iron ions. In fact, it is what gives your blood its red color. When this is deficient, it is called anemia and is quite bad for you. In fact, I know someone who spent a week in the hospital and almost died because of a lack of iron in her blood.

Salt: Another example is sodium. When you have sodium as a pure metal, it is toxic. However, when it is combined as a metal ion with chlorine it is sodium chloride, or common table salt. This is also essential for your body’s health.

My suggestion is that you see a metal-free dentist. They can help you get a crown that is made of some ceramic. You would not want a glass crown. Those are not strong enough to hold up to your bite.

When you get your dental crown, no matter what material you choose, the color will be permanent. If you are happy with the current color of your teeth, than no further action will need to be taken. If you want an update in your color, then you will want to get your teeth whitened before the crowns are designed.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James E. Williams.

I’ve been having a crown placed over the last 5-6 weeks. Since it’s been placed, I’ve had some problems with what I feel are allergy symptoms including dry mouth, tingling and numbness on the side of my mouth which has the crown, as well as a burning tongue on that same side. I wondered if I was allergic to the metal in the crown but he said, even if I was you can’t place all-porcelain crowns on back teeth. I spoke with my dentist and he said there aren’t enough allergy symptoms to indicate I’m allergic to anything. My next step was to go to my doctor and have blood work done. He doesn’t see anything bacterial or viral which could be the source of my symptoms. I just need some advice. What do I do?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

There is a growting availability of metal free dental care.

I’m curious about your dentist’s statement that you haven’t had enough allergy symptoms. Was he waiting for you to go into anaphylactic shock before he took you seriously? There are varying degrees of allergies, just because you don’t have the most severe form doesn’t mean you’re not allergic to something.

You have enough symptoms where it would be worth investigating. If your medical insurance will cover you seeing an allergist, that’s the first thing I’d do. This could help you figure out if it could be a metal allergy or maybe an allergy to the bonding agent, etc.

Metal-Free Dental Care

While your dentist is technically correct that all-porcelain crowns aren’t strong enough to handle the biting forces of your back teeth, there are other metal-free dental materials that are strong enough. Many dentists are now offering metal-free options, using zirconia now. Zirconia is so strong, it is has been dubbed ceramic steel. This is definitely strong enough to be placed on your back teeth.

They also make them in dental implants as well as a dental bridge. If it does turn out you have a metal sensitivity, then you could look for a dentist who already works in these materials. Whatever you do, don’t let your dentist make you feel like you’re being difficult. This is your health you’re talking about.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Metals in Dental Crowns

Am I Allergic to the Metal in this Crown?

Metal-Free Dental Care