Bio-Compatibility Testing

I’m ready to replace my fillings . . . will the new materials be any better?

I’ve been a mercury-free dentist for a long time so I understand the process that people go through when deciding to replace their mercury fillings.  Once the decision has been made to replace them, the next question is usually . . .  what will you replace them with?  The answer is . . . it depends on your immune system.

Environmental sensitivity or allergy is a well know immune system phenomenon that may cause problems throughout the body.  You can be sensitive to food, you can be sensitive to chemicals in the environment, and you can be sensitive to the materials used to restore your teeth.

Most dentists believe that if a material carries an FDA “Seal of Approval” that it is safe and effective for everyone.  However, the approval process for dental materials has very little to do with long-term safety.  Rather, the process focuses on esthetics of the product, its strength and durability when placed in the mouth and its ease of use by the dentist.

• People with a history of dental material compatibility problems
• People with severe immune system compromise
• People with identified autoimmune diseases or conditions
• People with endocrine, liver or kidney problems
• People with environmental illness
• People with severe allergies
• People with known sensitivity to jewelry, watchbands, clothing fasteners
• People who receive daily doses of numerous medications
• People facing high-cost, complex dental restoration
• People previously treated by multiple unrelated healthcare professionals

While Clifford testing can be useful, especially for the people listed above, we have studied the trends from the nearly 50,000 patients already tested and found that certain materials test suitable in the vast majority of people.  These safe materials are the ones we routinely use in our practice and feel confident that they are well tolerated in people with normal body chemistry.