Discovering the Beauty of Bioesthetic Dental Care
Explore the comprehensive approach to Bioesthetic Dental Care. Restore balance, preserve tooth structures, and enhance aesthetics for optimal oral health.
Mercury-Safe Dentistry
What is Mercury? Mercury-safe dentistry relates to the chemical element, Mercury (Hg). This is a heavy metal that naturally occurs within the Earth’s crust. It can take three forms: elemental, inorganic, and organic.1 Within the natural world, mercury is generally not found in a liquid form. Mercury in Dentistry When discussing mercury within the dental industry, it is most commonly referred to as amalgam. Dental amalgam is a liquid metal alloy mixture, the largest component of which is mercury (50% elemental mercury by weight).[2-4] Dental amalgam is also commonly referred to as a silver filling, metal filling, or mercury filling. It is often visibly detectable in the mouth based on its metallic display. However, even if the exterior of a crown or bridge presents as “white”, it is sometimes the case that mercury amalgam is encased underneath the restoration. The potential impact to human health ...
Ozone in Biological Dentistry
What Is Ozone? Ozone is most commonly known for its vital role in maintaining earth’s ecological harmony, and for the way in which it interacts with air pollutants at the ground-level (earth’s lower atmosphere).1 However, ozone is also harnessed for medical application in various fields, including biological dentistry.2 Ozone (an O3 molecule) is an activated form of Oxygen (an O2 molecule). Ozone behaves very differently from the oxygen we breathe. Molecules of ozone are much more oxidative and energetic than oxygen molecules.3 These essential molecular qualities are what make ozone such a valuable resource in therapeutic application. How Ozone Supports Systemic Health Ozone has been utilized as a healing modality for over a century, with its effectiveness first gaining true recognition and documentation during WWI. It was later adopted in 1950 as a commonly accepted medical treatment in Germany, with world-wide implementation ...
How Our Holistic Dental Cleanings Are Different
In alignment with our biological approach to patient care, the dental cleanings provided at Dr. Sharon Dickerson are intentionally created to support each patient’s individual, holistic needs. Here are some of the things we incorporate into our hygiene appointments that provide an elevated level of care: Why Oral Hygiene is Important for Dental Health It is widely accepted within the dental community that in addition to daily at-home care, routine dental cleanings help ensure optimal oral health. During a hygiene appointment, any plaque or tartar is removed from the teeth which prevents serious dental decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Furthermore, these cleanings support the patient in maintaining a healthy bacterial balance (good breath!), feeling of oral cleanliness, and naturally white appearance of teeth. As an added safety precaution, your hygienist will also perform thorough mouth and throat screenings for ...
Advice From a Doctor: How Dental Health Affects Your Body’s Health
The Link Between Oral and Overall WellnessEngaging in a holistic approach to care implies an “observance of the whole”1. In other words, the individual is recognized as a whole person with multidimensional aspects of wellness. Thus, in order to maintain true health, all facets of the being must be considered. Therefore, when engaging in holistic medicine, the health of the oral environment serves as an integral area for reflection. Research continues to illustrate the synergistic relationship between oral health and overall wellness.2 When disharmony is detected in the mouth, it can be an indication of systemic disease. Furthermore, localized oral imbalance should be addressed in order to prevent it from translating to greater issues throughout the body. The Common Denominator: Inflammation When exploring the connection between oral health and systemic health, the primary factor often relates to inflammation. There is ...
What is GLO® Science Pro?
GLO® is an unparalleled teeth whitening system that provides long lasting results without pain, sensitivity, and long appointments. GLO® is the only system to utilize controlled illuminating heat, which eliminates the need for harmful high temperature lights and toxic materials. Thus, GLO® is considered one of the most effective and biologically safe systems for whitening in dentistry. What Makes GLO® the Best Holistic Option? There are several features that we feel separate this product from the rest of the marketplace: Why Invest in a Brighter Smile? Research shows that smiling releases neuropeptides, which are small molecules in our brain that help to decrease stress. This then impacts other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which means that smiling helps increase our overall happiness and health.1 Unfortunately, studies show that 70% of Americans feel self-conscious about their smile and, as a result, ...
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for TMJ Pain
What is TMJ? The acronym TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint which is a joint located in front of the ears on either side of the face (see diagram below). The TMJ supports oral functions such as eating and speaking by connecting the lower jawbone to the skull.1 What is TMJ Pain? TMJ pain is technically called TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD describes any dysfunction of the TMJ.2 However, TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably in conversation.1 Do I have TMJ or TMD? Invasive Treatments for TMJ Pain While many healthcare providers recommend beginning with conservative options for treatment, the following treatments may also be suggested1: Complementary and Alternative (CAM) Therapies for TMJ Pain Experiencing TMJ Pain? If you are currently experiencing TMJ related pain, we suggest speaking with your holistic dentist. While more direct care may be suggested ...
Ceramic Implants
What are ceramic implants? Dental implants are one possible form of restoration when there is tooth loss and replacement is necessary. A dental implant is a surgical element that affixes within the jaw in order to provide a stable support for a dental prosthesis (e.g., a crown). Ceramic implants are metal-free dental implants crafted from ceramic zirconia dioxide.22,23 What are the benefits of ceramic implants? Here are some reasons why Dr. Dickerson and our patients prefer ceramic to metal implants: Photo credit: Swiss Dental Solutions Are ceramic implants better than titanium implants? While there are advantages and disadvantages to both ceramic and titanium implants, the potentially harmful implications of titanium on whole-body health have led our practitioners to favor ceramic implants. However, each person’s biological composition is uniquely different. Thus, the decision to use titanium vs. ceramic implants should be ...
Bioclear Case Study
What is Bioclear?Bioclear is a technique used to address smile rejuvenation, cavities, broken or worn teeth, and black triangles. This process achieves long-lasting results while also preserving more of the natural tooth structure than other more traditional methods. In order to illustrate the transformational impact that Bioclear offers our patients, we invite you to explore the following case studies. Patient 1 – Before Patient 2 – Before Patient 1 – After Patient 2 – After References
The 5 Elements to Avoid During your Next Dental Visit
The 5 Elements to Avoid During your Next Dental Visit As with any medical field, the commonly accepted principles in dentistry continue to evolve with time. With perpetual innovation and greater understanding through research, dentists are provided with greater insight for how to best care for their patients. Furthermore, within the biological dental community, practitioners are routinely searching for ways to safeguard their patient’s overall well-being in addition to their dental health. In that light, it is also vital that providers stay informed about elements of care that may pose potential harm to their patients. The following list details 5 things that both patients and practitioners should be aware to avoid during holistic dental care: Chart derived from International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology18 As individuals explore options for their dental vitality, we encourage everyone to consider modalities that ...