Your safety is our concern

The FDA has advised ‘vulnerable’ groups – pregnant and lactating women; women trying to conceive; fetuses, infants and younger kids; those with neurological or kidney issues; and those allergic to mercury – to avoid dental amalgam. We take this advice very seriously. That’s why we consider mercury-free smiles as a priority!

Show FDA Advises »

FDA advises “vulnerable groups” to avoid dental amalgam

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised certain “vulnerable and high-risk groups” to avoid getting dental amalgam fillings if possible due to the potentially harmful effects the mercury in these fillings may pose to their health.

In a recent statement, the FDA has updated its recommendations on dental amalgam and potential risks to certain individuals that may be posed by these mercury-containing fillings that are used to restore the missing structure and surfaces of decayed teeth.

The groups that the FDA has listed as facing greater risks for potential harmful health effects include:

Pregnant women and their developing fetuses
Women who are planning to become pregnant
Nursing women and their newborns and infants
Children, especially those younger than six years of age
People with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease
Those with impaired kidney functions
Those who are extremely sensitive or allergic to mercury or other components in dental amalgam.

Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury and a powdered alloy comprising silver, tin and copper. The FDA has been reviewing and monitoring scientific publications and reports and conducting public discussions on the effects of dental amalgam and mercury vapor on patient health for over 20 years.

They now also recommend non-mercury alternatives like composite resins and glass ionomer cement fillings, especially for vulnerable populations. The FDA has made these recommendations after obtaining the views of healthcare professionals and public comments about dental amalgam and other metal implants and evaluating published literature.

If you are searching for natural, mercury-free dentistry in Yadkinville, North Carolina, make Virtue Dental Care your provider of choice!

09

Aug

Dental compatibility testing near Mooresville, NC allows us to use safe, non-reactive materials

Virtue Dental Care offers patients near Mooresville, NC dental compatibility testing

Dental materials can be made of a wide variety of materials that are exposed to your mouth and the rest of your body. Because every person’s immune system is different, some people may show sensitivity or allergies to different materials. But, how do you know if your body will have a reaction? Dental compatibility testing allows the dentist to determine if you will react to specific dental materials before they are used in your mouth. The team at Virtue Dental Care near Mooresville, NC does not require this testing but does recommend it to patients facing certain types of restorations.

What does biocompatibility mean?

Materials that are biocompatible will not cause negative reactions or responses from the immune system. Biocompatibility does not mean using lesser quality materials. Many biocompatible materials such as bonded porcelain are known for the strength, longevity, and natural-looking appearance.

Should I consider biocompatibility testing?

If you’ve never heard of biocompatibility testing, you may be wondering why you should shell out additional money before having the cost of your impending dental work. The answer is simple and straightforward. Just as certain people have intolerances or allergies to certain foods, some patients may also have allergies or intolerances to the thousands of dental materials used in offices every single day.

The truth is, more than on material is used during a dental procedure. For example, for a dental filling, we must first use a liner to make sure the filling stays in place, then there is the etching gel, bonding material, and polishing material. That’s many different materials that could potentially elicit reaction. Biocompatibility testing allows us to know for certain if you have an allergy or intolerance to a specific material.

Every individual’s body responds differently to toxins in the system. Because we all have a unique body chemistry, finding out the possibility of a potential reaction beforehand is a great way to avoid potential reactions.

CALL OUR OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Virtue Dental Care Patients: (336) 679-2034 | New Patients: (336) 606-0040

What are some potential reactions?

When patients have a reaction to a non-compatible dental material it is because the body perceives the material as an invader or as if it were an infection. Think of it as a similar reaction to a cold or flu. The difference is that eventually the body is able to fight off a cold or flu, while dental materials that are in the mouth permanently will continue to elicit that response.

How do you test for biocompatibility?

Dental materials can be made of a wide variety of materials that are exposed to your mouth and the rest of your body.

The quickest and most effective method of testing for potential reaction sis with a serum compatibility test. This test, similar to an allergy test is performed by an immunology laboratory. A blood sample is sent to the lab where it is exposed to a series of tests looking for the presence of antibodies when the blood is exposed to chemicals used in dental materials. It takes about two weeks for the results to be ready for the laboratory. Patients reactions to chemicals will be classified as Highly Reactive, Moderately Reactive, or Least Reactive.

Because sensitivities or allergies to dental materials affect many people, we recommend it before seeking some of the more common dental work such as:

Removal and replacement of silver amalgam fillings
Placement of composite resin fillings
Placement of porcelain crowns, veneers, or inlays/onlays
Placement of porcelain fused to zirconia during crowns or bridges

As a biological dental provider, our goal at Virtue Dental Care is to offer our patients a variety of safe, biocompatible dental options. We are especially considered about biocompatibility for our patients who have a compromised immune system due to other health issues.

At Virtue Dental Care, we believe that overall wellness is tied directly to the condition of your mouth, which is why we offer patients near the Mooresville, NC area many different options for holistic dentistry. Our focus is to always use biocompatible materials that are as neutral as possible during any procedure. To learn more about our options for biocompatibility testing, please call our office today at 336-606-0040.

Share this Article

Back to Home Page