Question 1

Informed Consent. What questions should I ask before choosing a dentist?

Accepted Answer

In all cases, educate yourself before you go into your dental office, and if you have any questions or concerns, ask before treatment is started. You can ask questions in a sincere and polite way. Besides you have the right to know what is being proposed and why. The worst outcome is for you to find out after the fact that you got treatment you really didn’t want or feel that you would not have done, ‘Had I only known.’ This is the purpose of these FAQ’s. They are geared to the holistic minded but should also be applicable to most anyone. Remember educate yourself and get informed. It is your right and responsibility.

Question 2

I’m anxious about dental visits. What can help?

Accepted Answer

You’re in good company; fear is one of the most common reasons people put off care, and avoiding care is one of the most common causes of gum disease. Tell the office before you sit down. A good office will go at your pace, explain each step first, and offer calming support: relaxation techniques, music or playlists, and nitrous oxide where appropriate.

Question 3

Can gum disease be treated without surgery?

Accepted Answer

Usually. Gum disease is an infection driven by bacteria and inflammation, so treating the cause comes first: deep cleaning, often combined with laser and home care support and coaching. This lets the gums heal and reattach. Nutrition and home care can make a big difference to healing and recovery as they are daily routines. Surgery is a last resort, not a starting point.

Question 4

Is there a safe protocol for removing and replacing amalgam (silver) fillings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Amalgam is about half mercury, and drilling it out releases vapor, so removal should follow a protocol: the filling cut out in chunks rather than ground away, copious water and high-volume suction, a rubber dam isolating the tooth, a separate air source for you to breathe, and protection for your eyes and skin. The replacement should be a mercury-free material. Ask specifically how the office handles this before scheduling.

Question 5

What materials are used for fillings and crowns, and are they biocompatible?

Accepted Answer

Modern fillings are composite resins; crowns are usually ceramic. Both can be made without mercury, metal or BPA. If you’re sensitive to materials or simply want certainty, ask your dentist about metals vs metal-free options, and if they use BPA, or Bisphenol A.

Question 6

Are there metal-free options for crowns and implants?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Zirconia (ceramic) crowns are routine these days and there is no reason to use metal in crowns, except when a bridge needs to be done. There are also zirconia implants, but speak to your specialist about which type of implant is right in your case. All-ceramic crowns and veneers should have no metal substructure. Zirconia acts like a ceramic but is stronger. It is tooth-colored, and doesn’t conduct heat, cold or electrical currents the way metal can.

Question 7

What are lasers and ozone used for in dentistry?

Accepted Answer

A dental laser can treat gum disease and can disinfect root canals. Ozone, an activated form of oxygen, kills bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact and is used under fillings and in root canals. Both allow more conservative treatment. Dr. O thinks that one of the best use of lasers is to sanitize root canals. Another great advantage is that they speed up healing.

Question 8

What should I know about root canals, and are there alternatives?

Accepted Answer

A conventional root canal cleans the main canals but can leave bacteria in the tiny side channels, i.e. accessory canals, and microtubules. Laser-assisted root canals reach those channels and disinfect far more thoroughly. If a tooth can’t be saved, the alternative is extraction with careful cleaning of the socket, followed by an implant or a bridge. Ask which approach is being proposed and why.

Question 9

Are Ultrasonics a good technology in dentistry and what is it used for?

Accepted Answer

Really good question. Ultrasonics are used primarily during your cleaning or prophy and during root canal therapy. Same technology, different applications. The whole idea behind it is that the sound vibration of ultrasonics breaks up the membranes of bacteria and washes them away. Once the bacterial levels are decreased or removed, they can no longer inflame your mouth and cause infection. The whole idea is to decrease bacterial load so your body can heal, and ultrasonics is a great way to do this. Dr. O thinks laser and ozone are better, but ultrasonics is also an excellent technology. Ask your office if they use ultrasonics during cleanings or root canals.

Question 10

How are dental instruments sterilized, and how can I know it’s working?

Accepted Answer

Reusable instruments should be cleaned, sealed in pouches and run through a steam autoclave after every patient. Two checks tell you it’s working: a color-change indicator on each pouch, and a weekly biological spore test sent to an independent lab. Any office should have both. Items like needles, saliva ejectors and prophy cups are single-use and thrown away.

Question 11

Is the water in the chairside lines filtered and tested?

Accepted Answer

Dental waterlines are narrow tubes where biofilm can build up. Dental offices should flush these lines daily. Also, most offices use self-contained bottled systems rather than municipal water. These chairside water bottles can then be filled with distilled water, which is pretty much sterile.

Question 12

What kind of ventilation and air filtration should a dental office have?

Accepted Answer

Dental procedures create aerosols. Look for fresh-air exchange, HEPA air purifiers, high volume suction and filtration systems, or negative pressure. Any combination of these keeps the air you breathe cleaner, fresher and healthier during your dental visit and treatment.

Question 13

How much radiation is in dental X-rays?

Accepted Answer

Digital X-rays use a fraction of the radiation of old film x-rays. There is really no reason to use film technology in dentistry anymore. In addition to digital x-rays, an office can take fewer x-rays on recall or recare appointments. You really don’t need a full set every year. However, some x-rays should be taken every year or year and a half. You have a perfect right to try to limit the exposure or the number of x-rays. The one thing you don’t want is to take too few and miss something major, a root canal for instance. So, limit and customize but don’t eliminate x-rays.

Question 14

What does it mean to treat the mouth as part of whole-body health?

Accepted Answer

Gum infection, infected teeth and dental materials do affect the rest of the body, and conditions like diabetes and heart disease have been linked to dental health and infections. A holistic or biological dentist reviews your health history, not just your teeth, and weighs materials, infection, nutrition and inflammation together when planning treatment. Always tell your dentist if you have any allergies or sensitivities to materials or metals.

Question 15

Should I be concerned about fluoride?

Accepted Answer

Opinions differ. Fluoride strengthens enamel but is also a toxin in larger doses, and it isn’t the only way to prevent decay: nutrition, saliva, and daily removal of plaque matter more. Many holistic dentists use fluoride-free alternatives such as hydroxyapatite and fluoride free prophy paste. More and more offices are getting away from the fluoride gels used in the office with children. Do you remember how bad that tasted? There is a reason why the hygienist didn’t want you to swallow it. It’s toxic. Ask your office what they use and why and decide for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Informed Consent. What questions should I ask before choosing a dentist?

2.I’m anxious about dental visits. What can help?

3.Can gum disease be treated without surgery?

4.Is there a safe protocol for removing and replacing amalgam (silver) fillings?

5.What materials are used for fillings and crowns, and are they biocompatible?

6.Are there metal-free options for crowns and implants?

7.What are lasers and ozone used for in dentistry?

8.What should I know about root canals, and are there alternatives?

9.Are Ultrasonics a good technology in dentistry and what is it used for?

10.How are dental instruments sterilized, and how can I know it’s working?

11.Is the water in the chairside lines filtered and tested?

12.What kind of ventilation and air filtration should a dental office have?

13.How much radiation is in dental X-rays?

14.What does it mean to treat the mouth as part of whole-body health?

15.Should I be concerned about fluoride?