Biocompatibility

Each person is a unique biochemical individual.  As such, the only way to find the most suitable dental materials for each person is to do a serum allergy test.  This reactivity test is done by Clifford Consulting and Research, Inc.  Our practice can provide you with a test kit and referral to a physician for further investigation into whole body toxicity and detoxification.

All restorations in the mouth such as amalgams, fillings or crowns should be changed to compatible materials.  This would eliminate the constant source of toxins weighing down your immune system.  Before any new dental products are used in the mouth, you should test yourself for biocompatibilities to avoid increasing your toxic load. 

As a patient in this practice, you will be made aware of all known options so that you can help choose the appropriate materiel.  You are the only one who knows what is the proper choice for you, based on health status and life style, expectations, finances and time.

Restorative materials

• Composite - a special plastic material that has a chemical and mechanical bond to tooth structure, is tooth colored, and requires less tooth structure to be trimmed away. It is expected to last over 7 years and it is recommended for small to moderate size fillings. It reinforces the tooth and makes it stronger. Placement is technique sensitive and therefore, more expensive.

• Gold alloy - used when maximum strength is required and appearance is not a factor. Gold restorations are used when more tooth structure is missing and when patients have grinding problems. It is more expensive than composite. Only gold alloys without nickel or beryllium are nontoxic.

• Titanium - used in dental implants and other prosthetic replacements throughout the body. Used when gold alloys are not compatible and the cost is more than gold alloy.

• Porcelain - used for appearance over metallic alloys and when wear resistance is not important. Recommended alone for single tooth restorations or anterior bridges in patients without bruxism (grinding) problems. Used alone when patients are non compatible with metals. Some experts consider all metals to be disruptive and therefore, should never be used in the body.

• Denture materials - are acrylics, chromium-cobolt alloys, gold or titanium alloys or nylon depending on compatibility. Are reinforced by metals to increase rigidity and retention for best function.