The Facts About Ozone Therapy in Dentistry

Categories: Articles, Dr. Godes' Blog, Holistic Dentistry, Hot Topics, OzoneAuthor: admin

Ozone: Natural Healing Agent … or Just a Lot of Hot Air?

Touted as a skincare treatment, a cure for cancer, and Mother Nature’s sunscreen, Ozone (O3) has also raised interest – and eyebrows – in the dental industry. As a 12-year dental practitioner passionate about holistic healthcare, I have been drilling down on the truth about ozone therapy. Here, let’s bust some myths about ozone and explore the proven applications of this treatment option.

True: Ozone is the strongest oxidizer in medicine. It’s the most powerful anti-bacterial treatment known, with the ability to kill viruses, yeasts, and bacteria.

True: Our bodies naturally produce ozone. Our white blood cells, which we use to combat infections, live in an ozone environment. Ozone applied as a dental treatment supplements that which our bodies already use naturally to kill bacteria and fungus.

False: Ozone treatment is a proven cure for cancer. Ozone does inhibit the growth of new tissue, and some proponents advocate that certain cancer cells can be inhibited by ozone, but there are no studies or clinical trials proving as much.

True: Ozone is not yet approved by the FDA for medical purposes. It is, however, FDA approved for food preservation and water treatment.

False: Olive oil infused with ozone can make you look younger. Some products, however, infused with ozone, are used for the treatment of skin inflammation including dermatitis and seborrhea.

True: Ozone has been used successfully for many years to combat cavities, infections, periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, and cavitations. It also has effective applications in whitening and oral surgery.

False: Ozone is toxic to humans in all forms. Ozone, inhaled in certain quantities, can cause respiratory issues in mammals. At The Center for Natural Dentistry, however, we follow protocols that strictly limit ozone inhalation in quantity.

True: Ozone in dental therapy is not administered in toxic doses; it is not inhaled, or injected into the blood stream. At the Center for Natural Dentistry, we deliver ozone under a strict protocol, making it a safe and effective treatment option.

True: As a practioner of dentistry, I have seen remarkable and often immediate results from the use of ozone therapy. The strong and vital correlation between our oral environment and our entire body is supported by the use of holistic treatments such as ozone.

Further Reading:

Ozone Therapy as Treatment in Dentistry
http://naturaldentistry.us/1672/ozone-therapy-as-treatment-in-dentistry/

Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D., has noted 13 major effects of ozone on the human body, which help explain its effectiveness in holistic dentistry.

1. Ozone stimulates the production of white blood cells. As a result, allergies have a tendency to become desensitized.
2. Interferon levels – globular proteins that orchestrate every aspect of the immune system – are significantly increased.
3. Ozone stimulates the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor, inhibiting the growth of lone, metastasized cancer cells.
4. Ozone stimulates the secretion of IL-2, one of the cornerstones of the immune system..
5. Ozone kills most bacteria at low concentrations.
6. Ozone is effective against all types of fungi.
7. Ozone is the best virucide.
8. Ozone is antineoplastic, which inhibits the growth of new tissue.
9. Ozone oxidizes arterial plaque.
10. Ozone increases the flexibility and elasticity of red blood cells, allowing oxygen levels to stay elevated for days, or even weeks after treatment with ozone.
11. Ozone accelerates the Citric Acid Cycle. Also known as the Kreb’s Cycle or TCA Cycle, this is a very important step in the glycolysis of carbohydrate for energy.
12. Ozone makes the anti-oxidant enzyme system more efficient.
13. Ozone breaks down petrochemicals, which have a potential to place a great burden on the immune system.

California Keeps Warning Label on Amalgam

Categories: Hot Topics, Mercury Toxicity, NewsAuthor: admin

In November of 2010, the California Dental Board announced it would be reviewing the Watson Law fact sheet (a sheet of paper dentist are required to make available to patients that states warnings on various dental materials, including mercury amalgam fillings). The subcommittee reviewing the sheet consisted of two pro-mercury dentists. At that time, there was a real threat of the warning about amalgam being removed entirely from the sheet.

Today, Charlie Brown of National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice, announced that the mercury amalgam label will in fact REMAIN on the Watson Law fact sheet.

You can see his message in it’s entirety, below.

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California Dental Board Backs Down on Amalgam Fact Sheet

Dear California dentists, health professionals, and consumers,

The Dental Board of California has dropped a plan to weaken the warnings about amalgam required in the Watson Law fact sheet. The stark warnings in that fact sheet – which must go to every dental patient – will remain:

“Dental Amalgam: Mercury in its elemental form is on
the State of California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals
known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity.
Mercury may harm the developing brain of a child or fetus.”

At its November 2010 meeting, the Dental Board announced that it would review the fact sheet and created a subcommittee of two pro-mercury dentists to propose changes. While the Board was content to let the California Dental Association call the shots, Consumers for Dental Choice was ready to make the mercury-free dentistry movement heard.

We began to organize the kind of coalition we had that led to the demise of the predecessor dental board (which, in violation of the Watson Law, had refused to produce any fact sheet at all). Consumer activist Anita Vazquez Tibau testified before the Board at its November 5 meeting, calling for a stronger – not a weaker – fact sheet, one that acknowledged the 2009 FDA rule’s warning that amalgam endangers the neurological systems of children and unborn babies. We followed up with strongly-worded letters. While the Board’s executive officer refused to answer, he got the message.

Last Friday, the Dental Board retreated, announcing it will not weaken the California fact sheet.

– Charlie

Charlie Brown
National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice

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What is the Watson Law Fact Sheet? This note comes from Wellsphere.com (http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-living-article/california-dental-board-will-consider-revising-watson-law/1268278):

“LNH Note: The Watson Law, passed in 1992, requires the Dental Board to list the risks of mercury and other dental fillings. The previous Dental Board ducked its responsibilities under the Watson Law so blatantly, that the legislature shut the Board down. The Figueroa Amendment, passed in 2001, requires dentists to distribute a consumer-friendly fact sheet to patients. Have you ever received one from your dentist?”

http://www2.fluoridealert.org/Alert/United-States/California/Congresswoman-Diane-Watson-D-California-Introduces-Bill-to-Ban-Mercury-Amalgams

ADA Does Support Mercury-Safe Dentistry

Categories: Mercury Amalgam Fillings Research, ResearchAuthor: admin

The ADA actually supports Mercury-Safe Dentistry, it just uses a different name. The ADA calls it The ADA’s ‘Dental Mercury Hygiene Recommendations’. The ADA lists a number of sources of mercury exposure at the dental office, including polishing and removing amalgam. It also recommends that all personnel involved in the handling of mercury and dental amalgam be trained in the potential hazards of mercury vapor and the necessity of observing good mercury hygiene. Although limited in scope, the ADA does promote mercury safe dentistry. So while it still may vehemently defend the use of amalgam, it encourages dentists to be mercury-safe. Not only does the ADA encourage dentists to be mercury-safe, it also shows that the ADA does not believe that the elemental mercury used in amalgams is somehow safer than elemental mercury used in other products and equipment.

The ADA’s Dental Mercury Hygiene Recommendations were published in: J AM Dent Assoc, Vol 134, No.11, 1498-1499; © 2003, American Dental Association. You can access the article online at http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/full/134/11/1498.

What Is CEREC? (And Why Does it Matter?)

Categories: Articles, Bridges, CEREC, Crowns, General Dentistry, NewsAuthor: admin

At our holistic dental practice in Encinitas, we use the latest and most technologically advanced equipment. Part of our advanced “tool set” is Sirona’s new CEREC AC unit (as well as the new milling unit). While that may just sound like a fancy way to increase prices, it’s actually much more (and in fact, this unit has allowed us to reduce some of our prices).

So what is CEREC? How can CEREC help you, the patient? Why should you choose a CEREC doctor? I’ll try to answer those questions and more, below.

WHAT IS CEREC?
CEREC stands for Ceramic Reconstruction and is a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. Developed by Sirona, CEREC utilizes 3D photography and CAD/CAM technology to assist a dentist in designing a virtual restoration (onlay, inlay, crown, or bridge) without taking impressions and, when combined with a milling unit, is able to build the actual restoration while you are still in the chair.

The computer system and camera in the CEREC AC unit have been upgraded substantially from prior units, allowing even a new user to create near perfect restorations on a routine basis.

After being a “CEREC” doctor for almost a decade, I understand the value of what CEREC brings to a practice and a patient. That’s why we recently upgraded to the latest and greatest machine, the CEREC AC. This machine allows us to take digital impressions for restorations (no more gagging on impressions!) and make precise restorations that look excellent, fit perfectly, and last a long time — all out of biocompatible, metal-free materials and all in very little time (a typical crown appointment lasts less than 2 hours, and you don’t need to come back to finish the work… it’s all done in one visit).

HOW YOU BENEFIT:
By upgrading our CEREC machine, we are able to do same-day restorations on almost all procedures (you can have a complete crown done in under two hours, in one visit), including inlays, onlays, crowns, and even some bridges, often at a lower cost to you. Restorations look outstanding, last a long time, and are biocompatible and metal-free. Fewer visits and a lower cost… that’s a pretty good benefit!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A CEREC RESTORATION?
If you have been told you need a new crown, inlay, onlay or bridge, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you have a cracked tooth, old failing restorations, or otherwise large damage on your teeth, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you are interested in replacing old metal restorations with biocompatible restorations, you might be a CEREC candidate. Essentially, any large restoration in your mouth may be a possible candidate for a CEREC restoration (this is NOT to say that just because you have an old crown, you need a new one… IF an old restoration needs replacing, CEREC may be a good option for you).

HOW IT WORKS:
The cavity preparation is first photographed and stored as a three dimensional digital model and proprietary software is then used to approximate the restoration shape using biogeneric comparisons to surrounding teeth. The practitioner then refines that model using 3D CAD software. When the model is complete a milling machine carves the actual restoration out of a ceramic block using diamond head cutters under computer control. When complete, the restoration is bonded to the tooth using a resin. CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. (courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2)

HISTORY:
The system is manufactured by Sirona Dental Systems in Bensheim, Germany . 1980 Development of the CEREC method at the University of Zurich W. Mörmann, M. Brandestini). 1985 Treatment of the first patient with CEREC (University of Zurich, material: VITABLOCS Mark I). 1986 Siemens acquires the license to market and further develop the CEREC equipment. 1987 CEREC 1 is introduced (chief indication: single and dual-surface inlays; material: VITABLOCS Mark II). 1990 International CEREC Symposium at the University of Zurich. 1991 Hydraulic machining drive replaced by an electronically controlled motor. 1994 CEREC 2 is introduced (range of indications: inlays, onlays, veneers). 1996 CAD/CAM Symposium to mark a decade of CEREC (University of Zurich). 1997 Sirona was formed as the result of the sale of the Dental Division of Siemens AG. 1997 CROWN 1.0 program for producing full-ceramic posterior crowns. 1998 Second material manufacturer partnership is formed (lvoclar, ProCAD). 1998 CROWN 1.11 program for producing posterior and anterior restorations. 2000 CEREC 3 is introduced (compact Windows-based CAD/CAM system). 2000 Third material manufacturer partnership is formed (3M Paradigm MZ100). 2002 More than 2,500 CEREC users in the United States and over 5,000,000 CEREC restorations placed worldwide. 2003 3D software version is released, allowing users to see 3D views of teeth and models. 2006 CEREC Celebrates 20 Years. 2006 Sirona releases BIOGENERIC version of software. This software allows for the machine to accurately reconstruct the missing tooth shape and surface. 2007 More than 23,000 CEREC users world wide. 2008 Sirona release the MCXL milling unit, this milling unit can produce a crown in 4 mins. 2009 Sirona release CEREC Acquisition Center (AC) powered by Bluecam (courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2)

THE FUTURE OF DENTISTRY:
CAD/CAM dentistry such as CEREC is the future of dentistry. Utilizing modern technology, a dentist can produce an accurate, safe, biocompatible dental crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge, in just one visit. Technological advances make the system easier to use, more accurate (so you get a better fit right away, which means great comfort and fewer adjustments later), and faster (saving you time in the chair). More dentists are turning to this new technology. Some are new to the system. Others (like us) have been using it for years. While it isn’t perfect (some adjustments will need to be made, and you still need to spend a good amount of time at the dentist), anything that saves you time and money while increasing quality and comfort is a good thing for both the patient AND the dentist.

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ABOUT: Dr. Marvin is a licensed dentist in California with more than 10 years of experience using CEREC technology. As a holistic, natural dental practice, The Center for Natural Dentistry is proud to offer CEREC services to patients who are seeking high quality, biocompatible crowns, onlays, inlays, and bridges in just one visit. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact us at 888-825-5351 or by completing the form at http://naturaldentistry.us/contact-us/

Let The FDA Know How Your Feel About Mercury!

Categories: Dr. Marvin's Blog, encinitas dentist, Holistic Dentistry, Hot Topics, Mercury Toxicity, NewsAuthor: admin

Back in June of this year, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an historic decision regarding the classification of Mercury Amalgam fillings when it effectively put on hold its rule declaring mercury-containing dental fillings to be safe for the entire population. In response to several “petitions to reconsider,” including one filed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), the FDA agreed to grant said petitions and reconsider the classification.

A spokesman for the FDA, noting that it is exceedingly rare for such petitions to be granted, made it clear why the FDA is taking this action:  “You confronted us based on the science,” he said, particularly on issues of risk assessment for mercury exposure from dental amalgam. The meaning? Evidence that was not originally taken into consideration has swayed the FDA enough to believe that a reconsideration is in order. Now, we need to take the next step.

Now We Need Your Help!

The FDA is holding hearings to review the safety of dental amalgam on December 14-15, 2010.  Currently, the FDA rule on dental amalgam acknowledges that “The developing neurological systems in fetuses and young children may be more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of mercury vapor,” but inexplicably still says that it is safe to expose even these vulnerable populations to mercury – a know neurotoxin and reproductive toxin.

The FDA is now accepting comments from the public in preparation for the hearings, but the December 3 deadline is fast approaching.  With the American Dental Association telling the FDA that amalgam is both safe and necessary, it is more important than ever that every concerned citizen speak up now, while we have the chance.

Please, help us overturn the decision by the FDA and properly classify mercury-amalgam fillings. Your opinion and comments WILL be heard by the FDA!

Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Post a comment on this blog post and we will submit your comments to the FDA before the December 3rd deadline.
2. Or, BETTER, tell the FDA directly by going to http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480b04c4f to submit a written comment.

What should you say? Explain how you were injured by amalgam, the dangers of mercury in the workplace, how you do not want your children exposed to mercury, how you did not know that your “silver fillings” contained mercury, and how you benefited from mercury-free dentistry… anything that you feel about mercury in fillings and in dentistry based on your knowledge and/or personal experiences.

This is an historic hour… one in which we can help rewrite our future. Don’t let it pass you by….

Thanks.
Dr. Marvin