- We offer holistic dental care focusing on Empowered Healthcare and treatment of the body as a whole.
- We are a mercury free/safe office only using biocompatible materials.
- We provide material sensitivity testing allowing us to identify materials that are safe for your body. This allows us to provide individualized and tailored treatment specific to your needs.
What is the Biological/Holistic Approach to Dentistry?
The concept of dentistry from a holistic approach is characterized by considering the body as a whole, taking into account mental, social and physiological factors rather than solely the symptoms of an oral issue. At Living Wellness Dental Northland, our goal is to empower and educate clients, assisting them to make informed decisions and take control of their own health and wellness. We clearly identify the materials used at our practice, assess their biocompatibility with the intended client, and outline associated risks. While we acknowledge that holistic dentistry is not recognized by collegial boards, we analyze all current studies and research, and take great strides to perform our procedures in a way that minimizes the impact of our clients’ biological responses.
Living Wellness Dental was founded on the philosophy that we don’t want to just live but Live Well. We help our clients Live Well by empowering them with personalized knowledge that will lead them to their best oral health. The mouth is the gateway to our overall health. Although the underlying health and aesthetic appeal of your smile is overwhelmingly important, knowing the effect that specific dental problems can have on the rest of the body is paramount. Our office uses strict protocols, procedures, and materials tailored to your body chemistry facilitating a biocompatible treatment specific to your needs.
The following terms and definitions are commonly used by dentists to describe their practice:
“Mercury-free”
a term with a variety of implications, describes the dental practice that avoids the use of mercury fillings.
“Mercury-safe”
a description typically used by practices that incorporate specific safety measures during the removal of existing mercury amalgam fillings. These safety measures are designed to decrease the risks related to mercury exposure during the removal process. Amalgam fillings are replaced with non-mercury material following their safe removal.
“Biological”, or “Biocompatible”
two terms that typically describe dental practices that give consideration to the impact dental materials will have on oral and systemic health.
Whether you are receiving preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dental care, we understand the powerful effect dental work has on the body. Contact Living Wellness Dental Northland to take control of your overall health and treatment today!
Mercury Amalgam Fillings - Explainer by Living Wellness Dental
What is dental amalgam?
Dental amalgam is a dental filling material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. It is composed of approximately 50% mercury, including silver, tin, and copper.
What are the potential effects of mercury on the human body?
Mercury is a known toxicant to the nervous system.
Long-term exposure to high doses, such as may occur in some occupational settings, may be associated with signs or symptoms such as:
- Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, irritability, etc.)
- Sleep irregularities
- Fatigue
- Memory troubles
- Tremors
- Difficulties with coordination
- Visual changes
- Changes in hearing
- Kidney damage
What are the effects of mercury mismanagement?
Mercury can find its way into the environment in many different ways if mismanaged. This would represent risks to humans through exposure pathways from:
- Food
- Water
- Soil, and
- Air
On July 1, 2018, a European Union (EU) – wide dental amalgam phase-out for vulnerable populations entered into force. The phase-out applies to:
- Pregnant women,
- Breastfeeding women, and
- Children under the age of 15
On September 24, 2020, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released recommendations indicating that the following groups should be aware that they may be at greater risk for potential negative effects of mercury vapor (gas) released from dental amalgam fillings:
- Pregnant women and their developing fetuses;
- Women who are planning to become pregnant;
- Nursing women and their newborns and infants;
- Children, especially those younger than six years of age;
- People with pre-existing neurological disease;
- People with impaired kidney function; and
- People with known heightened sensitivity (allergies) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
What is the role of IAOMT in dentistry?
The International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT) is a non-profit organization that provides a vast resource of information on the biocompatibility of dental products with human physiology and the environment.
The IAOMT aims to educate medical and dental professionals, policy-makers, and the general public on processes and procedures that enable more biocompatible methodologies to be implemented in the dental industry.
Contact our office or visit our website to learn more.
Visit the following research paper for more information on the FDA stance change published by Dr. Johnson.
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42130.pdf
