by Dr. Martina Mallery, DDS 

Alternative health practices are gaining traction as more and more people recognize the level of toxicity that people are subjected to as a result of destructive farming practices, unnatural food production, water treatment, air contamination, EMF pollution, cosmetic products, invasive medical procedures and pharmaceuticals which often lead to more suffering.  

People all over the world are returning to Mother Nature for micronutrients and healing remedies to seek preventative and conservative health care, and many medical professionals are choosing alternative fields or converting their practices to serve their like-minded patients. At White Sands Dentistry, we have undergone a full conversion to biological dental practice after reviewing scientific literature that shows the toxicity of some materials and procedures taught in dental schools and subsequently practiced in mainstream dentistry.  

As we have connected with our peers in the field of biological—also called holistic—dentistry through professional groups, we now want to share with you the main features of this emergent field. Biological dentistry is fluoride-free as mounting scientific evidence shows that fluoride is a carcinogen, neurotoxin and hormonal disruptor.  

Having dental cavities is actually a systemic condition where processed food, sugar, and lack of vitamins and minerals cause dysbiosis and acidic conditions in the body. This leads to the reversal of lymph flow through dentin, impeding tooth detoxification and leading to demineralization of enamel and subsequent cavity formation. Eliminating processed foods and introducing live, nutrient dense and fermented food will correct this—not the addition of toxic fluoride. Biological dentistry is mercury-free and mercury-safe. This means that “silver” dental amalgams are handled with utmost care.  

Dental amalgams are only 10% silver but 50% elemental mercury. This mercury vaporizes on a 24/7 basis while in a person’s mouth and bioaccumulates in the body which, over time, leads to many neurological and systemic dysfunctions, and has been singled out as a prime suspect in Autism and Alzheimer's disease, among a list of other serious conditions. Extremely unsafe levels, however, are released during the placement and removal of these fillings. A typical biological dental practice will not use this material to restore teeth, and when it is necessary to remove such an existing filling, a safe protocol will be utilized.  

This protocol has been developed by International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and a professional certification course is offered through this organization. Biological dentistry is metal-free. Metals utilized in dental alloys—whether it be mercury amalgams, porcelain-fused to metal crowns, gold crowns, titanium implants or orthodontic brackets, these prosthetic frameworks are not compatible with human health.  

Some metals are carcinogenic, most are negatively challenging the immune system, and all of them disrupt neuronal firing in the brain and along the nerve fibers. Biological dentistry will safely remove existing metal restorations and utilize more compatible plastic, resin or porcelain alternatives including ceramic implants. Patients are encouraged to receive biological extractions and dental-material biocompatibility testing to determine the type of dental material that will be least likely to provoke their immune systems. This is especially important in those who have already been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. 

Biological dentistry makes extensive use of ozone gas as an affordable and non-toxic therapeutic modality. It is used in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontal disease, in desensitizing abrasions, in sterilizing tooth surface after caries removal, in reversing small surface cavities, in revitalization of tooth nerve after extensive restorative treatment, as an alternative to dental sealants, and in the sterilization of surgical sites.   

Moreover, surgical dental procedures are taken a step further in biological dentistry. Many patients now seek the removal of teeth previously treated with root canal therapy as mounting scientific evidence exposes the fact that such teeth remain infected even after this procedure. A typical biological dental practice will send such extracted tooth to a specialized lab for bacterial analysis, so the patient can follow-up accordingly with a physician, as many of these lab reports turn up highly pathogenic bacteria including spirochetes and amoebas.  

The presence of teeth treated with root canals have been linked to heightened incidence of autoimmune disease and cancer. Biological dentist will also take great care in the removal of the periodontal ligament from within the surrounding bone, as it is highly contaminated with microbes. As previously mentioned, ozone gas is also used to sterilize the extraction socket. Another addition to the armamentarium of a biological dentist is the so-called PRF, or platelet rich fibrinogen. PRF has many applications in medicine in general, but has recently gained traction in dentistry as well. The clinical staff at White Sands Dentistry recently completed series of training in this modality.  

PRF is harvested from a patient's own blood. Blood is drawn into tubes and placed in a centrifuge that separates the different layers. Only the top yellow plasma layer, called PRF, is utilized. PRF is rich in infection-fighting immune cells, clotting factors, and stem cells that promote bone formation and proper healing. High-dose Vitamin C infusion is also performed to take advantage of the established IV line. Vitamin C administered in this fashion has been shown to accelerate healing after surgery, lower post-operative pain, and to help the body to detoxify from anesthetic solution and IV sedation medicine. We also offer Dermapen with PRF microneedling treatments as well. 

In addition, when it comes to biological dental surgery, a phenomenon of NICO or cavitation lesion is addressed too NICO stands for neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis of the jaw bone. This is a controversial but real and serious issue. A typical dental school will not teach the removal of the periodontal ligament after tooth extraction, but its presence leads to improper bone re-generation and a small dead space remains for years to come.  

Lab tests of the material collected from these NICO lesions show high levels of pathogenic microbes. Revision of these long-standing NICO lesions need to be considered especially in someone with autoimmunity or cancer, as these diseases have been linked to NICO presence in the jaw bone as well.  

Finally, as we learn that a tooth is indeed a delicate living organ with its own blood supply, nerve bundle, and lymphatic drainage connected to internal organs and the rest of the body, we have pushed a pause button on the many destructive procedures such as dental crowns when done solely for cosmetic purposes. Even when a tooth is extensively damaged and a crown prep would be warranted, the field of biomimetic dentistry has developed tooth-preserving alternatives to dental crowns. A kevlar mesh called Ribbond is used to re-enforce the internal part of the tooth to prevent future stress cracks for example. 

At White Sands Dentistry, we have made significant changes and invested in advanced training and technology to reflect the cutting-edge scientific research that is revolutionizing our field. If you feel we are the right dental practice for your needs, call 941-748-9393 for more information and to schedule an appointment.