Holistic Dentistry?

[SuperC]

I would like to know what you guys think about this stuff. The only thing I can find some truth in is their concept of diet and oral health. This coincides with what we have been taught, but this was a very brief intro to nutrition and I, in no way, would consider myself qualified to advise anyone on nutrition and proper diet.

That being said the biggest thing they complain about is toxicity of mercury amalgam fillings. We are taught that there is not an issue here and there is papers that agree but there are plenty of papers that say otherwise...

What are you guys taught, what will your philosophy be, is there any truth to this?

Thanks,
-C

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DrJeff]

I would like to know what you guys think about this stuff. The only thing I can find some truth in is their concept of diet and oral health. This coincides with what we have been taught, but this was a very brief intro to nutrition and I, in no way, would consider myself qualified to advise anyone on nutrition and proper diet.

That being said the biggest thing they complain about is toxicity of mercury amalgam fillings. We are taught that there is not an issue here and there is papers that agree but there are plenty of papers that say otherwise...

What are you guys taught, what will your philosophy be, is there any truth to this?

Thanks,
-C

Actually look at the science behind those papers about amalgam, then then formulate your opinion about is mercury and amalgam an issue. Also, think logically about it, if amalgam related mercury release was such a huge medical issue, how come a HUGE percentage of the population hasn't dropped dead from it??? Just think of all the middle aged/elderly folks out there with multiple monsterous MODBL 30+ year old "amalgam crowns", I know I see them just about everyday in my practice and they're not dropping dead from mercury toxicity.

Holistic dentistry on the surface, seems to be more of a marketing gimic aimed at padding the production of some practitioners using a paternalistic approach to "prey" upon a gullable patient base. I have a much greater respect for practitioners who adverstise themselves as "amalgam free" as opposed to "holistic" since atleast the amalgam free Docs aren't pushing non-needed far out concepts such as undergoing a mercury toxicity cleansing after amalgam filling removal, or testing excreted mercury levels in urine samples from their patients as many "holistic" dentists do.

Gradually over the last 5 years or so I've seen the types of posterior fillings I place on my patients go from basically 2/3rds amalgam/ 1/3 composite 5 years ago to roughly 2/3rds composite / 1/3 amalgam today, and thats by patient choice. But there are certain instances where I will absolutely refuse to place composite and place the amalgam or a non-bonded cement indirect restoration instead if I have any doubt about moisture control for that patient.

And on a side note, I still just really enjoy the tactitle sensation of condensing and carving an amalgam🙄 😀

 

[SuperC]

Personally I think Holistic Dentistry is a farce, but I figured I would try and be un opinionated.

I have read some papers, but do a pub med search and there really are not that many (52). I am aware if the issues related with Hg toxicity, I skimmed two papers this morning (one for and one against) and I concluded that the paper for was CRAP, it was just plain bad data collection, no controls... just crap. Nevertheless, I have only read a few.

Any who, just wanted to hear what yall are saying.

-C

 

[DrYankem]

There is a good book on that subject, "Whole Body Dentistry," by Mark A. Breiner, DDS.

 

[DrJeff]

There is a good book on that subject, "Whole Body Dentistry," by Mark A. Breiner, DDS.

"good" is often a relative term

 

[SuperC]

You are right.... Good is a relative term. Is there any "good" evidence based papers out there that I am missing on pubmed?
-C

 

[DrJeff]

You are right.... Good is a relative term. Is there any "good" evidence based papers out there that I am missing on pubmed?
-C

"good', "evidence based" and "holistic dentistry" are three key words/phrases that will not yield any results on pubmed

"good", "anectdoctally based" and "holistic dentistry" would be another story for pubmed results

 

[SuperC]

"Good" point!
-C