mercury free dentist Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Do I Need a Holistic Dentist in Order to Remove my Amalgam Fillings?

Posted on March 21, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am a “woman of a certain age” who is trying to take back control of her health and fitness. My diet is changed. My exercise is in full swing. Now, I want to remove the mouth full of silver/amalgam fillings I have and replace them with the mercury-free white ones. My dentist said that is a no-go. I was talking to a friend about how frustrated I was about that. She suggested I might have better luck with a holistic dentist. I don’t see any listed in my insurance. How do I go about finding one? Is there anything I need to know? Is it even possible to get them removed?

Amelia

Dear Amelia,

woman holding a loose aloe vera plant with dirt

A holistic dentist factors in the health of your whole body.

Congratulations on all the things you have accomplished! Those are huge and will reap benefits for quite some time. You will not only look younger, you will feel younger as well. I am disappointed your dentist was unwilling to cooperate with you on this. I wish I knew his reasoning. Yes, you can absolutely get these removed, though obviously not from this dentist.

Your friend is correct that you will have more success with a holistic dentist. The reason you do not see them in your insurance is they are not a specialty. Instead, holistic dentistry is a philosophy. They factor in your entire body into your treatment, not just your teeth.

The most important thing you need to know about removing amalgam fillings is there is a special procedure, called a sanitary amalgam removal, that will protect you for the mercury content in the fillings. Any holistic dentist or mercury-free dentist should know this procedure, but I recommend asking them to be certain. They should mention things like a stopper dam, cold water, and vent. If they don’t, look for someone else. You can find either type of dentist by doing an internet search.

Many patients find they feel better after having removed and replaced their silver fillings. I bet you will too.

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

Are Holistic Dentists More Expensive?

Posted on January 14, 2023 by writeradmin.

I’m an extremely health-conscious person, and the idea of holistic dentistry really appeals to me. I am semi-disabled and on a fixed income, however, so the associated costs may become a deciding issue for me. I don’t have dental insurance. Will the holistic dentist have much higher fees as compared to a general dentist?

Thank you,
Bryce

Dear Bryce,

It’s great that you hold your health in high regard. This will serve you well throughout your entire life. Holistic dentistry can certainly become a valuable component of this effort! Let’s answer your important question.

What Holistic Dentists Do

As you know, general dentistry typically centers on the problem at hand. Dentists focus mainly on the oral cavity and areas such as the jaws, head, and neck. A holistic dentist however will look at a patient as a “whole”; taking the health of the patient’s entire body into account and acknowledging the vital relationship between dental health and your entire body’s well-being and condition. They also tend to honor the ability of the body to heal itself. This is why some call it “biological” dentistry.

Material Costs May Be A Factor

By using materials that are non-toxic and natural, your holistic dentist seeks to avoid the introduction of toxins, such as the mercury found in amalgam fillings, to your system. Some of the biocompatible materials used instead are more expensive than their potentially harmful counterparts.

A Holistic Approach

Some holistic dentists use techniques that traditional dentists do not, which may increase the overall patient portion. Craniosacral and/or ozone therapies are both effective methodologies that assist healing, and these may incur costs that include education, training, licensure/certifications, practitioners, staff, and necessary materials.

Will It Be More Expensive?

As a whole, these added benefits may increase the possibility of higher costs to patients compared to traditional dentistry, but the truth is each dentist sets their own fees and some holistic dentists will be more and some will not. It sounds as if a holistic approach would surely align with your own values, so don’t hesitate to consult with a dentist who follows this philosophy. Your mouth, mind, and body will all thank you.

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

My Holistic Dentist is Making Mistakes

Posted on November 15, 2022 by writeradmin.

There is only one truly holistic dentist in my town so I have tried my best to stick it out with her, but I’m having a bit of trouble at this point and need some advice. I wanted to replace a mercury laden filling as well as a crown that had a metal base. She used this new CAD/CAM technology that was supposed to make the crown right while I am in the office. She mentioned to me that the crown was larger than she expected when she removed it. I didn’t think anything about that at the time. I was a little surprised when she bonded the crown on without even trying to fit it. It felt weird after that, like it was too bulky. She sanded it down a bit and sent me home. That side of my mouth was hurting a ton whenever I chewed so I went back just a week later. She said it was because the molar in front of the new crown was hitting the other teeth too hard. That confused me because that had never happened before, so why now? She sanded that one down and then said my bite was off and the only thing left to do what see an orthodontist. How is that even possible from getting a dental crown? I want a holistic dentist, but at this point I’m beginning to wonder if I should switch dentists. But, in that case, how do switch out my mercury fillings?

Penny

Dear Penny,

What an awful experience. I can assure you that it should not have gone that way, especially with a CEREC crown, which is what the CAD/CAM technology provides. This dentist is truly clueless about how to use the technology. She is also clueless about how a crown should fit.

At this point whatever she had done has thrown off your bite so much that you need to get the damage repaired. I would not just ask for a refund, but for her to pay to have this repaired. She caused damage and needs to repair it.

After your bite is repaired and healthy, you can still get the amalgam fillings replaced. You don’t have to have to see a holistic dentist in order to get switch them out for white composite fillings.

I would look for a mercury-free dentist to switch them out. They will have the skills and materials to do it safely.

If your current dentist doesn’t want to take responsibility, I’m fairly confident if you mentioned a malpractice suit she would change her mind. If she doesn’t, her insurance will do it for her.

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

Are Zirconia Implants Radioactive?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need to replace a tooth. I’ve been told that dental implants are the best replacement. However, I am having a hard time deciding. I’ve been told having metal in your dental work is bad for your body and planned on getting the zirconia implants, but now I’ve read that they may be radioactive. Is there any good choice in dental implants?

Monica

Dear Monica,

One of the problems with living in a litigious society is there are warnings for everything. The other day, a friend and I were putting up one of those car windshield shades and saw a note that said, “Warning: Do not drive with shade in window.” We just looked at each other and asked, “I wonder who was the idiot that made that warning necessary?”

When it comes to dental implants, you are actually safe no matter which type you get. The metal that affects most patients when it comes to dental care has more to do with patients that have metal allergies. The most common type of those allergies is nickel. The type of metal in traditional dental implants is titanium, which has been used for decades and is one of the most biocompatible materials available. Another common metal in dental work that people understandably want to avoid is mercury. This is found in those old silver fillings people used to get. While the American Dental Association still considers them safe, most dentists have switched to mercury-free composite fillings.

As far as zirconia goes, while there are trace amounts of radioactivity in them, it is actually around the same radioactivity you get in concrete and bricks. Even our drinking water has some radioactivity. My experience has been that most articles which bring up these type of frightening headlines are usually just clickbait. They need the clicks to justify their writing, so they try to scare people into reading their article.

If you don’t have any sensitivity to titanium, you may want to go the traditional implant route, simply because they have been around longer and we have more data on their longevity. But, honestly, you’ll be fine with either one. And, yes, dental implants are the best tooth replacement out there, so great choice!

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

A Pulp Cap to Avoid a Root Canal Treatment

Posted on November 27, 2020 by writeradmin.

While trying to deal with a cavity, some pulp was exposed. We decided to do a pulp cap to try and avoid a root canal treatment. The cavity wasn’t completely removed. The area of exposure was lined with calcium hydroxide then a glass ionomer was placed on top of the cavity. Then, they placed an amalgam filling. Here are my questions:
1. Is there a way to know that the procedure is successful and I don’t need a root canal treatment?
2. Are there symptoms I should look out for if not?

Thank you for your help.
Miranda

Dear Miranda,

Usually, if a pulp cap was going to fail, you would know it right away. However, the way yours was done, leaves me with some concerns. I’ll start by describing the right way to do it. When done correctly, they have a high probability of success. You’ll notice the differences.

The Correct Pulp Cap Procedure

The first step is to make certain that all the decay is completely removed. Decay contains massive bacteria. Tooth infections occur when that bacteria gets into the pulp of the tooth. If this decay continues to grow, it will infect the pulp. This is especially true when the filling is an amalgam filling.

Second, while most of the materials used were good, such as the calcium hydroxide and the glass ionomer, the amalgam filling was a bad idea. The ideal filling would have been to use composite filling material. This is because composite fillings, which are bonded directly to the tooth, actually seal the area. This prevents micronutrients and bacteria from getting in and around the tooth. That helps to prevent further decay and infection. Amalgam fillings leave the tooth vulnerable.

My advice would be, unless there are signs of infection (such as pain and/or fever), to give it a year and then have your dentist do an x-ray to see if the tooth is healty. If it is not, then you should go ahead and get the root canal treatment. When you do, you can either replace the filling or get a dental crown. If you do replace the dental filling, make sure you replace it with a composite filling this time.

Safely Removing Amalgam Fillings

It is important when you have amalgam fillings that you remove them safely. The main ingredient in amalgam fillings is actually mercury, a known toxin. Removing them incorrectly can actually expose you to more mercury than is safe for you. There is a sanitary amalgam removal. Not all dentists know how to do it. If you want it done correctly, you either need to visit a mercury-free dentist or a holistic dentist.

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

White Fillings for Children

Posted on October 7, 2020 by writeradmin.

My son needs a filling. I don’t want a silver filling in his mouth because of the mercury content. But, my pediatric dentist said that children can’t have them. I don’t really believe him because I know other children that have had the white fillings. Why would he lie?

Caitlyn

Dear Caitlyn,

Many general dentists will see entire families

It may not be that he lied, as much as he has trouble doing composite fillings on children. While it can be done, it is a tad more difficult with children. This is because composite fillings have to stay completely dry during the process. With children, who like to wiggle and move their tongues, that can seem impossible. But, like I said earlier, it can be done.

Don’t push your current pediatric dentist into doing it. This procedure is a totally different method than is used for the amalgam (silver) fillings. If he’s hesitating, he’s not ready. Instead, I would go to a general dentist who enjoys treating children. Ideally, you’d want one who considers themselves a mercury-free dentist or even a holistic dentist. Both of them will be very experienced with composite fillings. In fact, it will be all they place.

General dentists are still qualified to work with children. They all do a pediatric rotation and have the skills necessary. They just didn’t want to only treat children. However, not all dentists who are willing to work with children actually enjoy working with children. You want a dentist who enjoys them because that will create a more positive experience for your child.

So how do you know which dentists actually LIKE children? One good hint is the age at which they are willing to begin treating them. If they’re willing to work with toddlers, they enjoy children. If they want to wait until your child is around seven or eight years old, I’d look for someone else.

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

Finding a Dentist Who Understand Allergies

Posted on November 7, 2019 by writeradmin.

I was having a lot of problems with my health and after years of tests with no answers, I finally gave up on doctors and went to have special allergy testing done. It turns out I’m allergic to many metals and even some dental materials. The list includes I know I have allergies to dental cement, formaldehyde, cobalt, nickel, chromium, titanium, and many chemicals. How will I find a dentist who specializes in patients with these type of allergies?

Karyn

Dear Karyn,

You have been through a great deal. I know how frustrating it can be when you can’t get to the bottom of why you don’t feel well. You’ve really hung in there with great perseverance. While you won’t find a dentist who understands those specific types of allergies, I do have a solution for you.

What you need is a dentist who is willing to be creative and work around your dental allergies and metal sensitivities. You can often find this if you look for what is known as a biological dentist or holistic dentist. They work with your body and will be more willing to adapt the procedures you need to your body’s limitations.

Sanitary Amalgam Removal

Given your multiple allergies, one thing you may want to consider is removing any amalgam (silver) fillings. However, you’ll want the holistic dentist to do this. There is a special procedure, known as a sanitary amalgam removal, which will protect you from inhaling any of the mercury during the removal process. Then, your dentist can replace those with mercury-free composite fillings.

Titanium Allergies

Titanium is a rare allergy. The one area that could affect you in dental care is if you ever have to replace a tooth. Dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option. Most dentists use the traditional titanium dental implants. However, given you are allergic to them, you will instead need to find a dentist who will use the zirconia implants. These are strong enough, but they have been in use for less time so not all dentists are using them yet. Look for a metal-free dentist in that case. Hopefully, you’ll never have to replace a tooth, but if it happens I wanted you aware of your options.

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

Pediatric Dental Filling Keeps Falling Out

Posted on May 15, 2019 by writeradmin.

I took my daughter to see the dentist a couple of months ago. I was a bit surprised when he said my daughter had three cavities. I’m very diligent with her dental care and even brush after her if I don’t think she’s been through enough. However, I agreed to the fillings as long as he did the white fillings. He didn’t have a problem with that. Unfortunately, every one of the fillings has fallen out…twice! I don’t know if this dentist knows what he’s doing. Should I go elsewhere? We’re a small area and not many dentists do white fillings out here.

Miranda

Dear Miranda,

Based on what you’ve said, I think it’s possible that your dentist did the white fillings just to make you happy but isn’t as experienced with them as with the amalgam fillings. Their bonding methods are completely different. Without adequate experience with then, he may not realize how important it is they stay dry during the bonding process.

If any moisture gets under the filling it breaks the bond. With children especially, this can be challenging. They are wiggly and move their tongues quite a bit. There are methods a dentist can use with children to help keep it dry but he may not be aware of these. Additionally, even with those methods, some children just have trouble cooperating with this particular procedure.

Helping Wiggly Children Get White Fillings

Don’t feel bad if your daughter is one of the wiggly ones. Children are supposed to be wiggly. It’s part of their charm. However, medical procedures sometimes require them to be still. In that case, many dentists will suggest some form of dental sedation. Even a mild sedation, such as nitrous oxide, can put a little one to sleep allowing the dentist to get straight on with the work at hand.

As far as seeing another dentist, you could look for a mercury-free dentist and see if they work with children. A general dentist is qualified to work with children, so you wouldn’t necessarily have to see another pediatric dentist. Each of them did a pediatric rotation. You would want to make sure they enjoy children though. This way your daughter is more likely to have a positive experience.

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