Biological Dentistry in Lincoln, NE

Biological Dentistry:
What is a Biological Dentist?

A biological dentist near me in Lincoln, NE is a provider who understands that the health of the mouth can impact a person’s overall health. The goal of a biological dentist is to treat dental problems while helping balance systemic health. One of the ways a biological dentist will do this is by ensuring that only the most biocompatible dental materials available are used and that any dental treatment performed helps reduce systemic inflammation in the body. A biological dentist near me in Lincoln, NE knows that introducing different materials like metals can have an impact on a person’s immune response. Some biological dentists recommend that patients undergo allergy testing to determine if they will react to certain dental materials before initiating dental treatment. A biological dentist will rely on scientific-based evidence of the safety and efficacy of dental treatments before recommending them to patients.

Biological Dentistry: Mercury Free Dentistry in Lincoln, NE

Amalgam is a dental material that has been used for many years in dentistry. The use of amalgam fillings in modern dentistry is slowly waning with the development of superior materials and the controversial subject of the threat amalgam fillings may pose to human health. It is estimated that about 50% of dentists in the U.S do not use mercury amalgam fillings, although only about 10% of them understand the health risks associated with amalgam. Amalgam fillings are typically comprised of an alloy of several metals including 50% mercury combined with smaller percentages of silver, copper, tin, and zinc. They are often called silver fillings, but in reality, they are not pure silver. Mercury is a known neurotoxin and has been shown to cause various harmful effects on human health. Research suggests that during normal chewing and changes to the temperature in the mouth during eating and drinking may cause the mercury from the fillings to be released into the body, which can contribute to negative effects on systemic health and that a single amalgam filling can release up to 15 mcg of mercury per day into a person’s body. The average adult has up to eight fillings in their mouth, making the average daily exposure up to 120 mcg of mercury per day. For reference, scientists warn the general public not to eat an excess of mercury-containing seafood, which on average would expose someone to 2.3 mcg daily.  

How to minimize exposure of amalgam at our office for the environment?

Our dental clinics have taken steps to minimize your exposure to mercury vapor during removal of old amalgam fillings, to remove 99.5% of the total mercury from the dental office wastewater and to protect the environment of the local community with safe packaging and recycling of silver amalgams that have been replaced with mercury-free restorations.

Do we use BPA Free Composites?

We have BPA free dental composites available at every Lincoln dental clinic of Nebraska Family Dentistry as a better alternative to BPA  containing dental fillings or mercury/silver dental fillings.

Biological Dentistry and How we minimize exposure of Amalgam vapor at our office?

The most significant amount of exposure to mercury from amalgam fillings is when they are placed and removed. Appropriate isolation and suction are also essential to help limit exposure to patients. Dr. Oz even suggests that if you have eight or more amalgam fillings, you should have them replaced. In response to his suggestion, I would say that removing eight fillings at once would create an abundance of exposure to Mercury. Myself, I would tend to prefer addressing replacing a few amalgam fillings every few months, instead of removing them all at one time.

Biological Dentistry: Post-Procedure Treatment After Replacing Amalgam / Mercury Fillings

Once the amalgam filling is removed, we recommend proper nutrition. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating better will aid your immune system during the detoxification process.

Taking charcoal, Emergen-C, and eating cilantro have all been found to be helpful detoxification materials.

Biological Dentistry and Endodontics in Lincoln, NE

Root canal therapy is the last effort that can be made to save a tooth that has sustained trauma or become infected due to a crack or deep cavity. During a root canal, our dentist in Lincoln, NE removes the infected or dead nerve of the tooth, disinfects the canal the nerve once occupied and fills the empty space with a dental filling material. Not every case is the same, and not every root canal has the same long-term prognosis.

If the extent of infection is great, root canals can fail because the bacteria may not be completely removed and the tooth will become a source of chronic infection and inflammation in the body. This can lead to the spread of infection to other teeth or parts of the body if it is able to enter into the bloodstream.

It is important to have a dentist near me in Lincoln, NE who is skilled at removing the bacteria and who chooses which teeth are eligible for root canals carefully. Most teeth that have the infection do not have a good long-term prognosis after root canal therapy due to the difficulty of complete removal of the bacteria during traditional root canal therapy.

How a tooth is determined to be a viable candidate for root canal therapy depends upon the reason for the inflammation of the nerve. Teeth that have been fractured, cracked or have a newly placed filling can lead to nerve inflammation in the tooth. This type of inflammation is acute and can be resolved by performing a root canal.

If a tooth has a large abscess that is draining infectious fluid and has been chronically infected and shows signs of bone loss, performing a root canal will not completely eradicate the bacteria from this infection. After the root canal, the tooth will continue to harbor some of the bacteria from the tooth infection, becoming a chronic source of infection in the body.

Some patients have strong immune systems and can tolerate a low-grade chronic infection for a period of time, but patients who have autoimmune conditions or other inflammatory conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing a second infection after the root canal is completed. In this situation, the best option is to remove the tooth which is the source of infection, allow the bone to heal and replace the tooth with a dental implant.

Are Titanium implants safe for your overall health?

Due to the high success rates and relatively low risk of allergy or complications, titanium has been the primary material used for implant posts. Titanium has and still does have a very high biocompatibility rating as well as great results in osseointegration after implant placement. Unfortunately for some patients, titanium is not an option due to metal sensitivity or allergies. For those who have metal allergies, it is advisable to have MELISA testing prior to surgery to be sure they do not have an allergy to titanium. MELISA testing (Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay) is a type of test that uses a blood sample to test for various allergies, including a titanium allergy. It is not a common allergy, with about 4% of subjects tested having positive results.

For those who have a titanium allergy, the particles that are released during corrosion of the metal cause the body’s immune system to attack. This can contribute to a cascade effect on the rest of the body. The MELISA test is scientifically proven and can diagnose a titanium allergy as well as the severity of the allergic response.

It is important to note that for the vast majority of patients, titanium dental implants are a viable option. For those few who have metal allergies, there are alternative options available, such as all-porcelain implants but not Zirconia implants as they do have a trace of metals in their composition.

Do you have a list of ingredients that are in the composite material?

We do have the SDS sheets for every product that we use in our office. They are available online for patients.

Is there BPA in composite? Lincoln, NE Biological dentist answers…

Yes, but we do offer BPA free composite.

How do you safely remove the amalgam in my teeth to keep me safe?  Lincoln, NE Biological dentist answers…

We used an altered SMART system of removing metal fillings. We use an Isolite which is a newer, better version of a dental dam and keeps you from swallowing or inhaling mercury vapors. We also have a state-of-the-art air filtration system that removes mercury vapors and provides the office with a completely new air supply every 30-60 seconds. We also break that filling up into small pieces so as to preserve your healthy tooth structure and make it easier to take out of your mouth safely with an amalgam separator.

Do you offer nutritional support? Lincoln, NE Biological dentist answers…

We can absolutely talk through your nutritional concerns and go over some healthier options and steps you can take to become a healthier you. However, we would refer you on to a nutritionist or dietitian if you are looking for intensive nutritional support. We would be happy to go over any testing results with you.

Do I need to replace my mercury fillings?  Lincoln, NE Biological dentist answers…

We do recommend replacing mercury fillings with tooth-colored composite for many reasons, the number one reason being the multiple health benefits of replacing them. Your metal fillings can be replaced by our gentle family dentist in Lincoln, NE.

The final decision depends on the condition of your current filling and your overall health. For patients with overall health problems, especially with autoimmune disorders, their immune system is already challenged daily, so mercury fillings maybe just an additional factor putting unnecessary stress on overall health. If the filling is cracked or starting to break down you may want to consider a replacement. You can always choose to have the fillings replaced regardless of their condition to a stronger, healthier, and better looking composite material.

If I need a tooth extracted, what would be my replacement options if I don’t want metal? Lincoln, NE Biological dentist answers…

We could do a dental bridge or biocompatible partial. If you would like an implant, both Titanium and Zirconia are great bio-compatible replacement options. We typically would suggest the Zirconia option if you are worried about the metal content or allergies. Contact our dentist in Lincoln, NE should you have more questions.

Do you use metal instruments?

Yes, our instruments are coated in stainless steel.

Dr. Kathryn Alderman

You can schedule 24/7 using online with Dr. Kathryn Alderman by visiting Nebraska Family Dentistry.