holistic dentist Archives - Susan M. Dennis, D.D.S

Are Dentists Using Silver Fillings Violating the Law?

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Dr. Dennis.

I read that the Minamata Treaty came into effect last year, but dentists in the U.S. are still providing amalgam fillings. Are they violating the law?

Monica

Dear Monica,

Left image: silver amalgam filling. Right Image: mercury-free composite filling

You’re right that the Minamata treaty went into effect last year. However, this treaty has to do with the disposal of the mercury more than the use of it. It’s based on a Japanese village where the inhabitants were poisoned by mercury which got into the waterways. I’m sure every U.S. dentist who still uses amalgam fillings is aware of the treaty and is in compliance with the disposal. However, they’re still permitted to provide the fillings.

You should be aware the American Dental Association still considers silver amalgam fillings safe. Though, as I’m sure you’re aware by your question, there is a growing movement concerned about the safety of the mercury content in the fillings.

If you’re concerned, you can always go to a mercury-free dentist. They will only place white, composite fillings.

Mercury-free versus Holistic Dentists

There is a growing interest in healthy dental care. Some are asking for what’s called a natural dentist, a biological dentist, or a holistic dentist. While every holistic dentist is a mercury-free dentist, not every mercury-free dentist is a holistic dentist.

Using a biological dentist means they factor in every aspect of healthcare along with your dental health. They take great pains to ensure nothing unhealthy enters your body during your treatment. They’re also much more willing to work with any allergies you have.

For instance, if you have a metal sensitivity, they’ll make sure you get a metal-free dental crown, instead of a metal-based crown.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Can Silver Fillings Cause High Blood Pressure?

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Dr. Dennis.

I was just diagnosed with high blood pressure. This really surprised me. I’m in good shape. I exercise. I eat well. I don’t have a family history. My doctor wants to put me on a medication. I asked him to give me a week to think about it and he agreed. I’ve been doing some research and I read that mercury filled amalgam fillings can cause high blood pressure. Is this a legitimate thing or just one of those extreme health nut conjecture things? Is it worth it for me to get rid of them?

Gregory

Dear Gregory,

One of the problems patients in your situation face is the conflicting information. On the one hand, you’ve got the American Dental Association saying that amalgam fillings are perfectly safe. On the other hand, you’ve got studies showing the mercury vapors released from amalgam fillings are high enough to have adverse effects on the body. High blood pressure was one of the specific things mentioned.

There’s no guarantee that it will lower your blood pressure, but it will be (at the very least) better for your teeth. Not to mention giving you peace of mind, which is worth a lot on its own.

Who Should Remove Your Mercury-Laden Fillings?

Removing amalgam fillings is one thing. Removing them safely is another. You’ll need a dentist who knows how to do sanitary amalgam removal. That will protect you from inhaling mercury vapors which are released during the removal process as well as swallowing any little pieces.

While many mercury-free dentists do know how to do that, it’s best to ask. They should mention something called a stopper dam. If you have a hard time finding a dentist who knows the procedure, you should try a holistic dentist. They will definitely know how as well as have the materials needed on hand.

They have the additional benefit of being more willing to work with patients with unusual sensitivities, such as metals. They’ll even offer metal-free dentistry.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo cosmetic dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Is It Safe to Remove Amalgam Fillings?

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Dr. Dennis.

I have three amalgam fillings. They’ve been bothering me. There’s nothing really wrong with them. It’s just that now that I know what’s actually in them I keep panicking that they’re poisoning me. I spoke to my dentist about it and he feels that I’m overreacting. He told me it’s actually more dangerous to remove them than to leave them be. I feel like I’ve got a time bomb in my mouth. What do I do? Is he right?

Sophie D.

Dear Sophie,

You’re not alone in your fear of amalgam fillings. Even when they were first used in the 1840s they knew for marketing purposes they’d need to call them silver fillings, even though they’re made mostly of mercury. As a known toxin, many patients are uncomfortable leaving them in their mouth, despite the American Dental Associations insistence they’re perfectly safe.

I’m glad you wrote. It sounds like your dentist doesn’t know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. If he removed them, it would be unsafe. The fillings can release mercury vapors if not done properly. Those are equally, if not more, toxic.

If you’re seriously considering removing your silver/amalgam fillings, you’ll need to go to a mercury free dentist. They’ll use a stopper dam and other equipment in order to do a sanitary removal. These are safe and keep you from inhaling or ingesting any mercury.

Even if your fillings are fine now, they will age and eventually start leaking. It doesn’t hurt to remove them early.

Another option is for you to do a search for a holistic dentist. They’ll also be able to do a sanitary removal. They’ll replace your fillings with white/composite fillings. These have many advantages over their silver counterparts, including strengthening the tooth structure.

This blog is brought to you by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis of Portage, MI.

When Should Silver Fillings Be Replaced?

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I have quite a few silver fillings. I keep hearing they need to be replaced at some point but don’t know when. My dentist says they don’t really need to be replaced, it’s just people panicking. Is that true?

Evie

Dear Evie,

Truthfully, you will get various answers depending on who you ask. There are people who think any silver fillings in your mouth is a risk. The reason they say that is the majority ingredient in amalgam (silver) fillings is mercury, a known toxin.

However, the American Dental Association (ADA) holds the position that these fillings are perfectly safe and within the limits of mercury release. So, they’d say leave them until they are damaged.

In between are a variety of opinions as well. Given all that, here’s what I will recommend. Get your fillings looked at for structural damage. If they’re cracked or leaking replace them. You don’t want to risk ingesting the mercury. Nor do you want your teeth at risk.

If they’re not, then I’d say it is up to you. If you can wear them and feel peaceful go ahead. If you’re going to be worried in the back of your mind about the mercury content replace them. Your energy can be better spent without unnecessary worry.

Replacing Amalgam Fillings

Not every dentist can safely remove amalgam fillings. Because of the mercury content, there’s a great risk of inhaling mercury vapors or swallowing some of the filling.

Because of that risk, there is a special procedure which requires unique equipment to protect a patient from the mercury. It’s called a sanitary amalgam removal. It’s imperative you go to a dentist already prepared and experienced with this.

With your current dentist’s view of silver fillings I don’t feel like he’ll be your best option. Instead, I’m going to recommend you look for either a mercury-free dentist or a holistic dentist to do this. Both will be prepared to safely replace your fillings. Though, you may find a holistic dentist takes additional precautions.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Dental Implants with Metal Allergies

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I need some advice. I need to replace a tooth and I want to get a dental implant. However, I have allergies to nickel and cobalt. Because of my metal allergies, I’m hoping to get a dental implant which won’t affect that. Are there any non-metallic dental implants?

Kaylie

Dear Kaylie,

There are two possible routes you can go when it comes to getting the dental implant you want. While you do have some metal allergies, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get traditional dental implants. They are made of titanium, which is very biocompatible. It’s been used for decades for body replacements, such as hip replacements.

You likely won’t have any problem with the implant. However, if you are concerned, there is another option. There is a newer type of implant known as a zirconia implant. Instead of titanium, it uses zirconia. This is very strong. It’s even been nicknamed ceramic steel.

Titanium or Zirconia Dental Implants

Most dentists prefer placing the titanium implants. They have decades of data showing their longevity. It is their history which gives dentists confidence in them.

There is no evidence that says the zirconia implants won’t have the same longevity, they just haven’t been in use long enough for us to have the data to know. There are dentists who place them. If this is the route you want to go, you’ll have more success with a dentist who is more understanding about allergy concerns such as a holistic dentist.

Best of luck to you. This blog is brought to you by Metal-Free Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Titanium versus Zirconia Dental Implants

Posted on September 11, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I have to get a dental implant. My sister in law is really into natural health and has repeatedly told me that metal in our body can cause neurological ill-effects. I talked to my dentist about it and he said he believes I’d be safer with the titanium implants. I don’t know if that is because he only does titanium implants or he’s being honest. I thought it best to ask a dentist who is too far away for me to go to for business. So, what is your preference?

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

The reason your dentist is likely saying that the titanium dental implants are better is that they have been around longer and we have more data on their safety and longevity. Titanium is very biocompatible and has been used in body prosthetics for decades. While the zirconia dental implants may be just as good, they’re still fairly new and we don’t have the studies yet.

While I am sure your sister in law has good intentions, there are no reputable studies I am aware of linking titanium to neurological problems. Additionally, a blanket ban on metal in the body isn’t feasible. In fact, our body depends on certain metals to function properly. One such metal is iron. Without enough iron in your body, you can end up with heart failure.

There are patients who have severe metal allergies or are just uncomfortable with the idea of titanium. If that is you, I am certain you can find a dentist offering the zirconia option. I would start by looking at holistic dentists in your area or metal-free dentists. Either one can help you, as long as they have dental implant training.

I’m not trying to discourage you from zirconia. I just don’t want you to think we have the same data on both.

This blog is brought to you by Portage, MI Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Dentist Said Nerves Need to Calm Down before She Can Help

Posted on July 5, 2022 by writeradmin.

I went to a new dentist who has more of a holistic view of dental care. She suggested I remove all my amalgam fillings and replace them with either composite fillings or zirconia crowns if the filling takes up too much of the tooth. I was okay with that. One of the problems I am having though is the zirconia crowns are uncomfortable. It hurts when I am chewing. The dentist feels like they are fine, so I went to another dentist. However, this dentist doesn’t want to touch them until the nerves calm down. I don’t know if I can wait much longer. Have you heard of this? On a side note, is it possible for everyone in the family to see the same dentist. Going to two different dentists twice a year, one for the kids and one for me takes up too much time.

Belinda

Dear Belinda,

Somehow you have ended up with two dentists who seem to not understand dentistry. Going to a holistic dentist is fine. That just means they are considering the impact of the treatment on your whole body and not just your teeth. However, like every other dentist, each holistic dentist has different skill levels.

When a dental crown hurts when you bite down there can be a couple of reasons. One is there is still an infection brewing. Your dentist can likely tell this by an x-ray. A second reason however is the crown is seated too high. The reason for the pain is you are hitting that crown before every other tooth. That gives it the full biting force. No wonder it hurts when you chew!

The nerve thing is just an excuse for someone who isn’t sure what to do. While placing a crown can be a bit irritating to the nerves, adjusting one doesn’t cause the same irritation.

You need to switch dentists…again. This should help you with the second question as well. There are family dentists who will treat both adults and children. This will be a huge benefit to you not just in time, but your children’s dental health as well. This is because your dentist will know the patterns that develop in your dental makeup and can do better preventative care for your kiddos.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

What’s a Mercury-free Dentist?

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Dr. Dennis.

Can you tell me what the heck a mercury-free dentist is? Should I be worried if my dentist isn’t one? They seem to be all the rage these days.

Matt A.

Dear Matt,

The only time you need to be concerned about whether you have a mercury-free dentist or not is when you need a filling. There are two main types of dental filling material. You can see them pictured above. On the left is what is commonly known as silver fillings. Their clinical name is amalgam fillings. On the right are composite fillings, commonly known as white fillings.

The big “controversy” with the amalgam fillings is their main ingredient is mercury, a known toxin. While the American Dental Association (ADA) has said using them in amalgam fillings is perfectly safe, it’s understandable that patients would not be too comfortable knowingly putting something in their body which can cause biological and neurological problems.

When you go to a mercury-free dentist, you can be assured that you will only get a white composite filling. That gives patients peace of mind.

What if You Have Mercury-Laden Fillings You Want to Get Rid of?

Learning what’s in in their dental fillings for the first time can sometimes be distressing for patients. Often, the first thing they want to know is can they switch them to the white fillings. The answer is yes, but you don’t want to go to just any dentist to have it done. Without taking proper procedural precautions, you risk inhaling mercury vapors and tiny slivers of filling.

Your best bet is to find a local holistic dentist. They will use sanitary amalgam removal. This process protects you from inhaling the vapors or swallowing bits of filling. Then you can have them replaced with white fillings safely.

But, what if you don’t have a holistic dentist nearby? In that case, the second tier would be a mercury-free dentist. Be careful, though. While all of them exclusively place white fillings, they don’t all know how to do sanitary amalgam removal. Be sure to ask them what steps they take to protect you during the removal process. If they don’t mention stopper dam at some point in the process, you’re better served moving on to another dentist.

Teeth Whitening and Composite Fillings

A fun cosmetic benefit of composite fillings is how well they can blend into your teeth. If you happen to have a filling that will be visible when you smile, this can bring confidence you never had with your old silver fillings.

If you’d ever considered whitening your teeth, now is the time to do it. Once the fillings are placed, their color won’t change. If you whiten your teeth, your natural tooth structure will grow brighter, but the filling will retain its original color.

However, whitening your teeth ahead of time allows your dentist to match the filling to your new color, giving a perfectly smooth color throughout the surface of your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Portage holistic dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.