Holistic Dentistry FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Why dont you use Silver (Dental Amalgam) Fillings?
Dental Amalgam (silver) fillings contain Mercury. Mercury is a highly toxic material. It is scientifically proven that Mercury does leak out of Amalgam fillings. There is no scientifically stated "safe" level of Mercury in the human body. For these reasons we feel there is sufficient doubt about the safety of this material for us not to use it and to use what we consider safer and more bio-compatible materials.

What materials do you use instead of Dental Amalgam?
The most commonly used alternative material is "Composite Resin". Most "tooth coloured" fillings that dentists use are Composite Resin. The material consists of a Resin (plastic) with glass particles in it. We also commonly use Porcelain and occasionally Gold where maximum strength is required.

What is the safest material to repair teeth with?
We believe the most bio-compatible material is Porcelain. The Resin (plastic) materials are all made from Petroleum (oil) like all plastics. We believe these materials are acceptably safe and certainly preferable to Dental Amalgam. However, some people, especially those with "chemical sensitivity" issues, wish to stay clear of these materials. Porcelain is basically glass and therefore inert, meaning it doesnt react with anything. Porcelain is also very strong and makes a very durable and long lasting material for tooth repair.

Should I have My Amalgam fillings replaced with alternative materials?
We do not advise everyone to have their Amalgam fillings replaced. We do advise people who need a filling replaced to avoid having amalgam placed again. There will be many people who are specifically advised by a health practioner, or who have decided themselves to have dental amalgam removed from their teeth.

Do Amalgam fillings always cause health problems?
No, no-one can give you a definitive answer to this question. There is no absolute scientific proof that amalgam fillings directly cause health problems. There is no scientifically stated "safe" level of Mercury in the body.

There are many well documented cases where people's various health problems have improved or resolved after eliminating Dental Amalgam or metals from their mouths. The levels of Mercury released from amalgam fillings and getting into the body are very small amounts and no-one really knows the possible effects. Also "sensitivity" of individual people to different materials varies generally from person to person.

Mercury, being a heavy metal, is not eliminated very easily from the body tissues and therefore tends to accumulate within the body, particularly in the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and major organs (kidneys, liver,lungs)

How can I know if my Amalgam filings are giving me health problems?
One cannot get definite scientific proof of this. However, many health practitioners of various different types eg. Naturopaths, Homeopaths, Herbal Practitioners and Natural Medicine Practitioners will have their own methods and tests to determine whether their patients might have problems due to Mercury levels in the body. If people are concerned and are uncertain what to do regarding this issue we suggest, as a preliminary step, is to get tested for Mercury levels in the body, which is relatively easily done. It is important to get a correct test for this (ie Mercury Challenge Test). We can advise people where to get a Mercury Challenge Test reliably done. The results of such a test will give a good indication of Mercury levels in the body.

Are there any risks involved with Amalgam Removal?
Yes. One has to be very careful in removing amalgam fillings because if not done with care then one can be exposed to mercury during the procedure. There are various methods used to protect people from mercury exposure and this is why it is best done by a dentist who specialises in this area. The other risk is having ones teeth drilled. Because any drilling is traumatic to teeth it is best kept to a minimum. This is a risk that cannot be avoided if one has a filling removed. Where the fillings are small this is not a problem. The larger the filling, the more of a potential problem it may be. The problem being the tooth nerve (pulp) being traumatised, a common problem with any deeper filling.

It is relatively easy to remove amalgam safely and with minimal trauma to teeth, especially where fillings are not very large. However, something people don't often consider once they decide to remove amalgam fillings, is what to replace it with, in terms of longevity ie. short, medium or long term solutions. Porcelain offers the best term solution for larger fillings.

How long will it take to replace my amalgam fillings?
This depends on how many, how large and what one chooses to replace them with. It will vary from one to several visits, often in a relatively short space of time, or sometimes over a longer period.

What can I do about Mercury already accumulated in my body tissues?
Removal of amalgam from teeth will only stop further exposure to Mercury. To get rid of what is already in the body one has to do some kind of de-toxification or "Chelation" therapy. Chelation simply means using one substance to "pull" another substance (in this case Mercury) out of the body tissues and then both can be eliminated from the body. Many people who are referred for us from various health practitioners will already be on some detox or chelation program. If not we can recommend programs, either mild or more intensive, depending on the individual situation and requirements. For Mercury Challenge Testing and Intensive Chelation Therapy we refer our patients to Breakspear Hospital in Hemel Hempstead (see links) where this can be expertly done.

Do you consider Root Canal Treatments (RCTs) to be undesirable?
This depends on the circumstances of the tooth that necessitated the RCT to be done and also how the the RCT is done. Generally if the tooth has not become very infected (gangrenous) or abcess formed then RCT is considered less problematic with regard to potential effects to general health or other existing health issues. If the tooth has abcessed or become gangrenous then it may be advisable to remove the tooth to avoid potential effects to health in the future. Please see "Root Canals .." link on the links page for further information. We advise our patients depending on each individual situation. We definitely advise against Apicectomies for teeth in all circumstances.

My gums sometimes bleed when I brush my teeth is that something I should be concerned about?
Yes you should, just as you should be concerned if you got bleeding from any other part of your body after cleaning it. Bleeding gums generally indicates "Gum Disease". Gum disease is a "chronic disease", meaning it progresses very gradually, getting worse all the time. One can get quite advanced and severe problems before symptoms become very noticeable. Gum problems are dealt with early on are easy to resolve, but much more difficult when advanced. So like any dental problems it is better to seek help as soom as one notices anything unusual or different.

Of course regular routine consultations and regular Dental Hygienist visits will prevent dental problems from occuring.

Do I have to come for a consultation before treatment?
Generally yes, because as there are often many different things to consider with regard to possible treatments, we dont know exactly what is going on and the best solutions until we establish the precise situation for each individual. This will also commonly involve needing xrays or occasionally other diagnostic procedures to establish the "full picture". In certain circumstances we can combine a consultation visit with treatment eg. when a person is very certain they want to have amalgam fillings removed and wish to start immediatly or have some minor problem that can be dealt with quickly and easily. We very much respect our patients time and effort to visit our practice and in turn expect them to respect our time, care and effort as well. Consultation visits generally consist of a full mouth examination, taking photographs in the mouth which can be viewed on a computer so the patient can see exactly what the dentist can see, and usually some xrays. We will also examine the jaw joint (Tempero Mandibular Joint) and related muscles for any evidence of problems. The jaw joint is a very common cause of recurrent headaches and facial discomfort or pain. Consultations regarding possible amalgam removal and cosmetic dentistry are free of charge.

Is treatment expensive?
Costs will vary depending on what procedures we are doing either for general dentistry, amalgam elimination or cosmetic dentistry. We always give precise written quotations before any treatment is arranged. We always try to provide "value for money" for our clients whilst maintaining high standards and quality. Because we are not in London we do not charge "London" prices. Therefore for some extra time and cost of travel, London based clients can receive high quality dentistry at often considerably lower costs, depending on what treatment is done.