I’m at my wits end with my dentist. I need a dental crown but he keeps insisting I need the metal based one. I have allergies to most metals. He keeps saying that even people with metal allergies do fine with these. I’m sorry, but I don’t buy it. They’ve probably just gotten used to feeling terrible. I used to live that way too. But, I finally went to a dentist who would remove all my metal fillings and exchange them. Now I feel worlds better. I don’t want to go back to metal in my mouth. Unfortunately, the dentist I went to for a filling change has since relocated to another state because of family needs. I don’t want to have to go on a dentist search every time metal comes up. Is there such a thing as a metal-free dentist or am I on a fantasy search?
Sandra
Dear Sandra,
What you’re likely dealing with is a dentist stuck in a rut. He’s always done things this way and doesn’t see the need to change. Unfortunately, that’s not best practice when it comes to any form of medical care.
Science and technology are always changing and (hopefully) advancing. It’s a doctor’s duty to keep up in his field in order to give his or her patients the ideal care for their body.
Yes, this means a TON of continuing education, but didn’t we go into this field to help people? If your dentist isn’t willing to do that, it is time to switch dentists.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause…I mean Metal-Free Dentists
You should do an internet search for two particular terms:
- Metal-free Dentist
- Holistic Dentist
Either one of these will work around your metal allergies. While many dentists are willing to place an all-porcelain crown on your front teeth, they realize those aren’t strong enough for the biting forces on your back teeth, so they insist on metal based crowns there.
With current advancements, we can now place zirconia crowns on back teeth. These are metal-free and strong enough to withstand those biting forces.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.