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Biological dentistry is a growing branch of dentistry that looks at the mouth and its structures as part of the whole body. It understands the relationship between the two and uses this information to provide dental treatment that is in harmony with overall health. It involves the use of dental materials that are biocompatible. It is closely aligned with Minimally Invasive Dentistry, where attempts are made to save as much healthy tooth and gum structure as possible. It also involves the use of biologically driven technologies such as lasers, Ozone, and air abrasion. Biological dentistry is often done in concert with other health professionals and can involve toxicity. The journey to health in removing toxicities, may include the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings.
We are part of the ¼ of 1% of dentists that practice Safe Mercury Removal. Removal of Mercury is a significant exposure of mercury to the body, much more than the normal exposure to mercury in the mouth from chewing, brushing and grinding of teeth. We protect the patient with them breathing pure oxygen, use of barriers like the rubber dam, special burs and suctions to remove the particles safely during removal and the patient holds a vacuum that removes the mercury vapor from the outside air. To protect the dental personal we use respirators and have a whole office filtering system. See our articles on Mercury by clicking here.
Ozone is a gas that is composed of 3 atoms of oxygen that has an unstable state. This potent oxidizer is helpful to the human cell and body but lethal to bacteria, viruses and funguses and other invaders. There are many uses of Ozone in dentistry, we use ozone to infuse the water that we use in treatment, this provides water to our drills and ultrasonic instruments that are free of bacterial contaminants common in un-ozonated water and part of the biofilms that occurs in all water piping. We use ozone in restorative dentistry where we not only can kill bacteria in dental caries but the ozone can help to stimulate the dental pulp to heal and avoid root canal treatment. Ozone is used in areas of infection such as the extraction of an infected tooth. See our articles on Ozone:
Lasers are just photons that are little packets of light that have wide ranging biologic effects. The cells use the laser energy to heal. Surgical lasers are used to treat both hard and soft tissue, The tissue is happy to receive the energy and the remaining healthy tissue heals much faster with less pain. Lasers also kill bacteria and can be used to treat bacterial events such as dental caries and infection. The laser also can be used to drill a tooth is certain situations without the use of local anesthesia. LLLT or Low Level Laser Therapy is a healing laser that stimulates the cells in the area of recent surgeries that helps to decrease pain and speed healing. We also use the Diagnodent which is a Laser Cavity Detector. This painless technology helps to look into a tooth to assess whether a tooth has decay and whether it needs to be restored or not. It is a partner to Minimally Invasive Dentistry where small cavities can be restored in a timely fashion, preserving the future strength and health of a tooth for a lifetime.
See our article on Lasers by clicking here.
Stem Cells have become accepted in medicine as a powerful healing modality. The patient’s own blood contains stem cells and many other powerful healing components. We have been using blood derived healing components for more than 10 years. In extraction of a tooth the use of Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) can be combined with other healing components to speed healing and reduce pain and the chance of dry socket. Extraction sites that have been treated with PRF and grafting have a better chance of bone healing leaving the option open for a future dental implant.
See our article on PRF by clicking here.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry is a paradigm shift in dentistry. The name says it all, it involves removing as little tooth structure or gum as possible. One example is to use the Diagodent laser cavity detector, find an early pit and fissure cavity in a tooth, treat it conservatively with laser and air abrasion, or air abrasion alone, usually without anesthesia. Fill it with a bonded, strong flowable preventive resin under the microscope and this restoration will last decades and be resistant to decay. Compare this to a dental sealant placed by an auxiliary working by themselves that is fraught with failure. Please view our articles on minimally Invasive Dentistry:
Integrative Dentistry - Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Minimally Invasive Dentistry - National Health Review
Minimally Invasive Dentistry - Air Abrasion
The jury is in. Your mouth is an integral part of our body and overall health. You cannot be healthy if your mouth is not healthy. Health starts in the mouth with the importance of starting the process of chewing and digesting the food we eat to nourish our bodies. The importance of the Microbiome, particularly of the digestive system is paramount to health. The mouth is the beginning of this system and it’s Microbiome is related. Biological dentistry looks to establish a healthy environment in the mouth and decrease inflammation.
Please view our articles on the Oral System Connection:
