How to Choose the Right Biological Dentist: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Introduction

Most of the things that biological dentists do are a little different and often also better. Many of their procedures provide a better end result, often because they are aware of and use a combination of alternative and both high-technological and holistic techniques that may not be as readily available from non-biological dentists. Most of the work biological dentists perform is much the same as other dentists. The difference is largely in the way they perform the work, what they do it with, and what they fill teeth with. Making the right choices can reduce the mercury on your personal and environmental ledgers! While many practices overlap with standard dental procedures, there may still be differences, costs, or benefits that can help guide you to a knowledgeable and experienced dentist. Also, it is very possible that a patient may not know to do or ask for the best choices, unless someone helps him to know the right questions to ask. Enter this free comprehensive guide.

Navigating the decision-making process while searching for a biological dentist can be extremely overwhelming and confusing, with all of the options available. This comprehensive guide can help you to better understand what to expect from a biological/holistic dentistry perspective. You can use this knowledge to choose the right dentist to suit your needs. Also, you can use these alphabetical state listings to help find dentists within a specific geographic area.

1.1. Purpose of the Guide

I often hear people of all ages speak of their fear when it comes to choosing a biological dentist for various dental procedures. This fear may be due to cost, time, or factors regarding whether the dentist chosen has enough experience with both the philosophy of biological dentistry and the clinical skills necessary to comprehensively and safely handle many of the complex dental needs of patients. Many times the choice may be totally based on cost and not on being comfortable with or trusting the dentist. Other times people have flown to another country for dental procedures because of costs and several other reasons. In doing research for this guide, I wanted to create a checklist with questions people could use when interviewing future dental professionals. Small and subjective anomalies caused this to be impracticable, so a narrative interview guide has been created as a compromise.

This guide has been compiled to help people and dental professionals make informed choices about their holistic dental care. Because teeth are much more than just bones to assist in chewing, there is a growing interest in the concept of biological dentistry, which looks at the teeth in relationship to the rest of the body. One big tenet of biological dentistry is the recognition that infection and toxins from not only the teeth but also from past extraction sites can travel to other areas of the body through the jaw and surrounding bone. It has been postulated and shown in many cases that these infections and toxins are associated with a wide number of diseases.

1.2. Definition and Importance of Biological Dentistry

In its broadest sense, biological dentistry is a form of dentistry understanding that the human body is a single, interconnected system. It rejects both the use of potentially toxic materials and techniques detrimental to oral and overall systemic health. To state in a formal way, biological dentistry is a thought and a practice in dentistry that minimizes or eliminates the use of toxins and focuses on the maximization of the structure, the strength, the stability, and the wellness of the patient through his mouth transforming it into the health gateway.
Our mouths are, in fact, the gateway through which most of the substances enter the body. There are 10 oral or general systemic health conditions that have a reciprocal relationship, called the Health Oral-Body Connection. Quite simply, the health of the mouth promotes the health of the body and vice versa.

2. Understanding Biological Dentistry

Since the introduction of the “sweet teeth” by the Swedish Emil Svensson in 1938, the dental society explains to the public that dental caries is a weakness of these seemingly poor children’s immune systems, who “inherit bad teeth”. This theory was preached by the dental industry all over the world and is still the explanation of caries in the minds of every second European. In rare exceptions, mainly among researchers, the fact is known that such things like the hypercalcified enamel of our teeth with the densest load of minerals in a hydrophilic surrounding cannot be inherited. An infectious disease adventurer like Albert Robin could prove in his weekend journeys from the dental anesthesia administration of the Brooklyn Children’s Hospital that dental caries is an infectious disease caused by the so-called “caries bacteria”. The so-called “Streptococcus mutans” became suspicious to be the most caries pathogen because it tolerates chitosan and inulin, is capable of building stores of extracellular EPS if there is no more sugar in the surrounding, and fits well to the definition of the main caries pathogen as a “Streptococcus-like microorganism that is able to convert fermentable carbohydrates into organic acids”.

All aspects of dentistry have in common that they are performed within the mouths of human beings. One of the particular challenges of this natural environment is that it is also the environment of a huge number of other, mostly small living beings. The characteristics of the human mouth make it a particularly attractive place for life: it has abundant resources, large areas of different textures, a constantly flowing through of nutrients, and a very high throughput of cells, which die regularly. Since the oral milieu is mostly a wet surrounding with physical barriers to isolation, it is quite difficult to change or even to control the establishment of a certain microbial flora. Therefore, it is not only the mission of biology if current living conditions tendentially rather be harmful to other life forms. And the need for the dentist to understand the life forms that live within the oral cavity seems to be underestimated in the education.

2.1. Key Principles and Practices

Our teeth are alive; each tooth has an independent life with a vital relationship through the nervous and vascular systems to the rest of the body. Only a small amount of the tooth structure can endure irreversibly damaging decay and “still live”. An important aim is to respect the part of the tooth that is still alive and to help the tooth heal and regenerate itself. At times, current technologies don’t allow us to leave contaminated dentin in a tooth or make it seal and rebuild itself. At these times, the best possible techniques and materials are used to seal and insulate the tooth and help the tooth sustain its close relationship to the rest of the body. Always choose the most conservative model. Treatment strategies that preserve the maximal amount of the tooth are always more conservative. Always conserve original tissue; use biologic materials where possible.

Each person is biochemically unique and therefore cannot tolerate the same dental materials. Saliva flow rates, various sulcular pH’s, and galvanism stress are as unique as your genetic fingerprint. As a biologic dentist, we have the cutting-edge technologies that enable us to gather the unique data essential to make the best and safest choices for you to ensure the longevity and the healthiest biological outcomes of your dentistry. The preservation of a tooth is our principal approach to dental care. One of our goals is to prevent future dental diseases in the other teeth.

Biologic or “bio-dentistry integrates modern science with natural healing and focuses on the long-term health of the whole person. It is easily understood by looking at the systems of the body as if reading a map from a bird’s eye view. Each system is an expressway; some of the major signs on the map are the systemic pulls on the bio-organ meridian highways. We use this information in conjunction with dental meridian relationships when we determine the impact of dental materials on your body.

3. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Biological Dentist

With this in mind, ask the dentist what measures they take to educate, inform, and provide prevention programs for the patients. These areas should include a strong emphasis on nutrition (focusing on a diet low in sugar), links between poor mouth and body health, and long-term whole-body health risks associated with particular dental treatments or materials.

Find a dentist that is conservative with your oral health. Biological dentists prefer to use “minimally invasive” dental procedures that are not as destructive as many conventional dental treatments. They are holistic-focused dentists who realize the serious implications that occur from improper procedures. If any referral is needed, they should have established working relationships with the same like-minded healthcare professionals. Biological dentistry stresses prevention and educated decision making as it goes hand in hand with overall general health.

First, all biological dentists should be amalgam-free. They should be able to remove any old amalgam fillings you have in a safe way. Ask the dentist if they follow the proper amalgam removing protocol to help guide your decision-making. Not all dentists who are “mercury-free” are necessarily “mercury-safe.” Use the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and its website to help you find a dentist who is certified in following safe removal procedures.

If you have decided that a biological dentist is the right choice for you, the next step is to find someone you are comfortable with and who meets all your criteria. The following factors can help you narrow down your search and find the dentist who is a perfect fit for you.

3.1. Qualifications and Certifications

In ancient or “traditional” forms of medicine, dentistry is a separate discipline from general medicine or surgery. While in Europe and America, most modern dentistry is derived from surgery and is recognized as an independent discipline of surgery. With the improved level of risk identification in medical history, the advancement of medical technology, and the upgrading of the concept of human health, dentistry has deviated from classic medicine and pursued its independence. From the development of comprehensive dental treatment to considering the relationship between systemic and oral and maxillofacial diseases, then to the establishment and integration of orofacial maxilla, dentistry gradually merged into medical treatment and developed in the way of human-centered development. With the integration and research of dental medicine and general medicine, human medicine also entered the era of orofacial, maxillary, and dental medicine from internal medicine to oral dental and general medicine. This period is the period of “face” cleft separation, the golden period of the development of stomatology. Here, stomatology is a discipline about the classification, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that occur in the teeth, oral cavity (caries, trauma, etc.), and is also a discipline that studies the anatomical structure, physiological function, and development of the teeth, oral cavity.

3.2. Treatment Approaches and Services Offered

You may wonder if your biological dentist can provide you with the treatment you seek, particularly when you face a dental need beyond the scope of basic preventive dentistry, such as implants, root canals, cavitations, or braces. You might inquire about the biological dentist’s surgery, periodontal and endodontal services, understanding that your dental care should be focused on minimizing root causes of dental infection and oral inflammation, promoting healing and helping the body to repair and regenerate in a biocompatible environment. In addition to dental restorations with biocompatible materials, your dentist may provide care for dental pain, update disturbances from dental structures and appliances, and offer cosmetic and orthodontic procedures.

When faced with making a decision about your dental care, a most important decision, isn’t it, choosing how to take care of smiling, eating, and speaking? You might want to know more about biological dentistry, its philosophy and approach to improve your oral condition. You may also look for common dental services and integrative treatments offered by a biological dentist. My hope is to provide you with the information needed to work well with a dentist who is truly right for you.

3.3. Patient-Centered Care Approach

Throughout this process, the dentist notes that dental hygiene is an important aspect of overall health and well-being, no matter the type of restoration. Patients regularly leave with an intimate understanding of how the dental practitioners are caring for daily oral health, long-term oral health, and how working with the office and understanding instructions is an important aspect of the overall care process. With this level of patient experience, it’s easy to see just how passion and dedication can help a qualified professional reach extraordinary heights.

There are countless advantages to taking a patient-centered care approach to dentistry. One example of a notable biological dentist that embodies this approach is the well-loved and talented Dr. Marcel Briseño. He offers monthly free dental hygiene sessions for his patients with dental implants. Not only does he offer dental retrieval, exfoliation, antibacterial ozone gas therapy, and cryotherapy for pain, swelling, or inflammation, but patients receive detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to maintain dental hygiene with their implants at home, as well as a variety of free dental products that are suitable for this specific purpose.

3.4. Use of Technology and Innovation

There are a lot of dental practitioners out there, and they all claim to do 2 or 3 times more drilling and filling than they really need. Finding the right professional for you can be a real challenge as there are often so many different options available. But when it comes to looking for a qualified biological dentist, there are a few main factors you should consider to help you narrow down your search. You should also use some discretion when picking the right professional for you, and you should try to schedule at least one or two consultations with different dentists to explore what each one has to offer. As we have established already, a biological dentist should not perform any harmful treatments on you, but it is just as important that you feel comfortable with your choice in professional.

We use technology in pretty much every aspect of our daily lives, and dental health is no exception. The biological dentist you choose should be up to date on the latest methods and skills used in dentistry. They should also use advanced technology and modern procedures to ensure the utmost in patient safety and satisfaction. Our office uses a variety of different cutting-edge methods available, some of these include orthometry, IPR and bite-correction using Myobrace (y-Braces), and tongue taping using Sleep Tape.

4. Researching and Finding Potential Biological Dentists

Google Search: Searching for “biological dentist” or “holistic dentist” in a search engine like Google may provide some local leads, but you may need to read through individual dental practice’s websites to determine if they’re a good fit.

Yelp!: Many biological dentists have Yelp listings, and you may be able to filter Yelp search results by applying the “holistic dentistry” category. Otherwise, you can conduct a general Yelp search for dentists, review the comments and ratings, and contact those that seem to fit your needs.

Biological dentist listings, directories, and databases: Despite this being a not fully reliable and comprehensive source, there are widely known biological dentist listings and directories that you can refer to. For example, the Holistic Dental Association (HDA), International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine (IABDM), and International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) – Mercury Safe Dentist Directory.

Here are common sources you can start with:

Finding a qualified biological dentist near you can be challenging, as there is no comprehensive database or directory of all biological dentists available. Easily accessible online directories and databases often contain only a small number of listings, which may not give an accurate overview of your options. That being said, there are several sources you can explore to help you find some potential biological dentists to interview and consider. Ideally, you should find a couple of different dentists you feel comfortable with and who you could visit and work with.

4.1. Online Resources and Directories

– The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology is dedicated to promoting safe dentistry through the use of biological dentistry, and as such, is one of the most reliable resources for finding a like-minded dentist in your area.
– The leadership behind the previous resource. If it’s a directory of IAOMT-trained professionals, at home and abroad, you can find it here.
– Dr. Hal Huggins is famous for teaching dentists about mercury amalgam toxicity through his Huggins Support Group. This directory is a list of various biological dentists, including Huggins-trained dentists and other dentists who are sympathetic to using safe dental techniques.

Here are a couple of the most trusted resources for finding the perfect biological dentist for you:

Much like with any other type of professional you are seeking, the internet is a valuable and often overflowing resource for seeking out a biological dentist. In many cases, the most valuable information will come to you in the form of recommendations, whether they be from peers, online reviewers, or resources that provide a comprehensive list of biological dentists that you can narrow down to find the right fit based on your own personal criteria.

4.2. Referrals and Recommendations

While referrals and recommendations are powerful tools in the quest for finding the right holistic or biological dentist, the final decision should be a combination of observations, discussions, and your own well-researched common sense. Are other patients happy? Holistic dentists typically treat patients that are relieved or happy after having safe treatment or successful surgeries. Look at feedback from patients who have experienced improved overall health as a result of safer, less toxic treatments. Ask friends or people who tend to have your same dental and health philosophy. How long have you been going there? Existing patients should be able to inform you about the specific types of treatment that they have received, such as the removal of amalgam fillings, and the general atmosphere of the practice because they have received dental services there.

Ask people whose judgment you trust if they can recommend a biological dentist. Ask a holistic or integrative doctor for a referral. Call and ask if they practice safe biological dentistry. While you are there, you can ask what they think about the above-mentioned points. Make a list of biological dentists in the area, call them, and ask any questions you may have about their practices. Finally, look at the American Dental Association’s list and cross-reference it to see if any biological dentists you have listed belong to it. Don’t forget to ask the sources what their overall experiences were. Did the dentist go out of his way to educate, take time with a genuinely humane touch, have certifications for safe removal, and offer all the right holistic treatments? Hopefully, at least one of the dentists has a website, so you can do a “first interview” from your home. Use both phone and in-person visits to weed out the ones who don’t practice what you are looking for in a dentist.

5. Questions to Ask During a Consultation

As a patient, it is important to understand that some “traditional” dentists offer services that are marketed as “holistic” when they are really not (such as removing some, but not all, mercury). Some services marketed as “holistic” are similar to traditional treatment, and many are beyond “biological.” Always ask a dentist about special equipment and practices required for truly biological treatment before making an appointment.

What do biological dentists do? “Biological,” “holistic,” “natural,” and “non-toxic” are different names for the same type of dental practice, and only a small percentage of dentists are qualified to give this level of care. To be biological, a dentist must, at a minimum, have special equipment and follow the special procedures below when performing any dental procedure as part of a plan for several months to reverse illness and pain caused by dental issues. Biologic dentists use these practices for every service from cleanings to preparations for crowns and implants. In addition, they must use only biocompatible dental materials, with the exception of amalgam, which can be placed with the use of a dental dam and other special equipment.

5.1. Philosophy and Approach to Dentistry

A biological or holistic dentist wholeheartedly believes in the axiom that “Whatever enters the bloodstream has to be detoxified and has the potential to cause unnecessary biologic stress.” They use “bio-compatibility” and “bio-functional” dental materials based upon biologic testing. They may also make use of high-resolution microscopes and DNA testing of bacteria and parasites. A biological or holistic dentist knows that the mouth cannot safely be separated from the rest of the body and indeed may be the most critical gateway. They are able to offer advice about various “alternatives” such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and dental floss, as well as effective nutritional plans and concepts. They will offer advice regarding the potential hazards of refined sugar, caffeine, and aspartame. The biological or holistic dentist is there to treat the whole patient, not just their teeth, stress, and emotions. Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives unprecedented attention and the highest quality dental care, never before experienced. Your hard and soft tissue (oral) diseases can only be treated effectively if the rest of this – your entire body – is also considered!

The foundation for a modern biological or holistic dentist goes back to the teachings of Dr. G.V. Black, who has been called “The Grand Old Man of Dentistry” and the “Father of Modern Dentistry.” Dr. Black was the first to demonstrate that dental decay was the result of acidic and enzymatic activities generated by noxious bacteria. His studies also led to the development of safe, effective dental restorative material that was not dangerously toxic to the body of the user and was actually biocompatible and non-reactive with human tissue. Biological or holistic dentistry is more than just the technical knowledge and technical expertise; it is an attitude and a philosophy.

5.2. Experience with Biological Dentistry

Since you don’t want to be repeatedly exposed to dental x-rays, it is critical that the dentist be very experienced in PANOREX x-rays that can capture the entire mouth in one picture in 20 seconds and expose you to very little radiation. If they don’t perform this procedure frequently, the odds of completing your panoramic x-rays in a short period of time are slim, and your overall exposure to dental x-rays is going to be much higher.

Note from above that besides the DDS degree, even participating in the Huggins dental training often results in ‘DDS, IBDM.’ Even the military created training for ‘DBM’ (with a ‘D’ instead of an ‘I’). Be aware that while these are good starting points, by themselves they’re not nearly enough. For the best results, you should select a dentist with experience in these methods.

If your holistic dentist participates in the Huggins Protocol, you can be comfortable that they are well-trained in the method because it is quite expensive to acquire the devices and train in the method. But the most important aspect of the Huggins Protocol is that the dentist should be using the dental and surgical technology to the full extent that the Huggins Protocol demands.

In the case of removing root canals, a dentist who has a great deal of experience with the procedure is much more likely to remove all the infected tissue because they have performed the procedure many more times than a dentist with less experience.

Experience, along with education, is a crucial factor when choosing a biological dentist. If a dentist has a lot of experience with biological dentistry, then they have experience with all the alternative materials and methods. When a dentist is well-versed in the many different methods, then you’ll have choices instead of their method being your only option.

5.3. Treatment Plans and Options

Less Aggressive Implant Corrections for Treatment planning and bridgework may be as uncomplicated as placing an implant for every missing tooth, but typically this is not the best dental health decision for the patient. Even with gum disease, many longstanding teeth can be preserved. In the presence of several non-plaque-induced gum disease processes, such as osteoporosis, hormonal, nutritional, and hypersensitive teeth, or poor esthetics, overtreatment may offset the patient’s risks of implant procedures. Crowding. A great number of adults have crowded teeth, which results from the underuse of the available space or an insufficient volume of bone to contain all the teeth. While educating the patient of the airway advantages of straightening the teeth, give consideration to the acknowledged dental reality that many crooked teeth are never affected by tooth decay. The healthy tooth framework can be permanently lost by overaggressive orthodontic treatments.

Many treatment plans can be drawn from the same information based on the training, judgment, and goals of the dentist. You should try to understand the various options available to you prior to setting metal in your mouth. This chapter covers treatment plans and options. Always keep in mind that protocols and treatment plans can vary drastically with different practitioners. Many study clubs have opened recently to train dentists in these areas of high technology. Safer, less expensive, and superior treatment options are available now more than ever. Streamlining Information – Recent advancement has made dental treatment more complicated than ever before. For a choice in your treatment and options, gather all the data with a second opinion. You do not have to settle for only one idea because many different options are available today, each utilizing many different skills.

6. Conclusion

Products that do not have this accreditation will generally contain toxic and allergenic fillers, but it is possible to find without… most of the time at a higher price, but it is worth it if we aim for a better quality of health and life. If a conventional dental consultation is not very expensive, a visit to such a dentist is often not given due to the costs. However, supplementary insurance companies offer excellent coverage for this kind of dentistry, and you will quickly realize that it is really worth the investment, especially over the long term. You only have one body, and the effects of health can be felt throughout your life if you neglect it. It is also important not to forget that a tooth is an integral part of your health. The health of your teeth can literally destroy the balance of your overall health.

As you can see, finding a biological dentist will be the best choice for you, especially if you are concerned about your health. Make sure that you always check their accreditation rather than just believe that they are safer. They should be able to show you a clear and transparent protocol that sets them apart from a traditional dentist. This should include a rigorous information sheet that shows the toxicity of the treatments so that you are able to make an informed decision. The products they use should not be toxic for the environment, animals, or humans. They should be biocompatible and biodegradable.

6.1. Summary of Key Points

Should you see a biological dentist or should you continue with your “regular” dentist? Those in the know express a strong preference for biological dentistry. The consequences for public health are hard to ignore. Yet, it isn’t always possible to find a great biological dentist without also dealing with a lot of controversy on the margins of the dental community. How cautious should you be in finding your dental care? As always, we are guided by the extent of the evidence. In the next chapter, we’ll help you make a practical decision when faced with the necessity of choosing a dentist, for whatever reason. This is the other goal of our little book. There are plenty of things that patients can do themselves to keep their teeth strong and healthy, as explained in the final chapter. This isn’t some diet or supplement that we advise; it just takes normal metabolic enhancements.

Most people understand the importance of finding a good dentist. It isn’t always easy, though, to distinguish good dentists from poor ones, particularly if you are shopping for one outside your own immediate area. Biological dentistry is about more than just avoiding mercury fillings, of course, but many people take an initial interest in holistic dental care because they don’t want mercury in their mouths. That mercury is not the only health risk posed by poor dental practices doesn’t occur to many people. Unfortunately, conventional dental theory and practice, as you will see in any dentist’s office, are not always the last word in public hygiene. It is for this reason that you need to know what to look for when sizing up a dentist for holistic or alternative care. The industry leaves much to be desired on the level of individual practice, just as medicine does as a whole.

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Top Questions to Ask When Considering a Biological Dentist

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