Dental fillings: composite versus amalgam. The heavy metals topic.

NQA - I didn't know they still use the mercury amalgams. I know you're fairly young, so I assumed you wouldn't have any of those.

I guess they're still offering them because of the lower cost?

Any new fillings I would get the composite...I wouldn't add any more mercury amalgams if I were you, especially if you're going to a regular dentist...as you will be exposed to quite a bit.

I doubt if it's your fault (technique) - as some people hardly do anything and they don't get the cavities.

I haven't had a new cavity in the past 20 years....I doubt if I'm brushing/flossing better than you.

A quick Google had me believing it’s usually a mixture of metals. Though, I did ask, and she said there is mercury, so we’ve got that one pinned at least.

It is a cost issue, yes. They’re cheaper, and they’re easier to apply, supposedly. Also, she said she would never put them in her back teeth (where mine are), but I forgot to ask why after the cleaning. It was a whole lot of her talking, me with my mouth open. But, she seemed like a real intelligent, genuine woman, so I’m guessing it has some merit in mainstream dental health: amalgam versus composite. .

I brush and floss twice daily as well, as mentioned. She’s adamant it’s my technique. She taught me to “massage” my teeth, rather than brush, which contributes to regression of the gums, she said. There’s a 1mm lip beneath my gums that doesn’t get cleaned well with the usual brushing action. She taught me how to floss properly too, I guess.

Really one of my better, and more informative, dentist visits in memory, aside from the metals and estimated cost of composite fillings.

I’ll just have to think on it. I could put it off ‘til I’m working again, I imagine. I would just charge it, but I’m still on my first credit card, and it’s only got a $500 ceiling. I do not like to use it for amounts like that, there may be an emergency, etc. I’m not asking my grandmother either.

Oh well.

Many thanks.

magoo2 said...
many white composites contain metals-they add metals so the filling shows up on xray.
Get a simple blood test- called a Clifford test to see what materials work with your body. Remember
anything the dds places in you will be there 24-7 till the day that you die-make sure it works with your body

My dentist said there are no metals in the composite fillings.
What metals are you saying are in them?

So there are non metal composites available- but they’re not the standard??

Sigh

I would only get a composite filling, but they even carry risks. My dentist muscle tests the different kinds she carries to see what is more compatible with her patients body. Still, composites are made with chemicals, some even still have BPA in them. I wish there was a better option.

Good Lord, nothing is safe. I kind of just want to forget I was here. What would be better for my health, knowing the composites have unsightly additives themselves or lulling myself into blissful ignorance? Stress and negative thoughts are huge.

Truth be told, while I haven’t looked into costs elsewhere, would something likr a biological dentist have a cleaner, still affordable option? I love myself, health is everything, but money is a lot too, and debt sucks.

I just noticed your comment on the technique versus just bodily functions, Girlie. Some people do nothing and have no cavities. It is strange. I used to be that way, actually.

It has to be a microorganism thing. I do the best I can with dental hygiene, don’t eat sweets, etc. Maybe an essential oil rinse or something would help...

Anyway, love you guys.

NotQuiteAntonio said...
Good Lord, nothing is safe. I kind of just want to forget I was here. What would be better for my health, knowing the composites have unsightly additives themselves or lulling myself into blissful ignorance? Stress and negative thoughts are huge.

Truth be told, while I haven’t looked into costs elsewhere, would something likr a biological dentist have a cleaner, still affordable option? I love myself, health is everything, but money is a lot too, and debt sucks.

I just noticed your comment on the technique versus just bodily functions, Girlie. Some people do nothing and have no cavities. It is strange. I used to be that way, actually.

It has to be a microorganism thing. I do the best I can with dental hygiene, don’t eat sweets, etc. Maybe an essential oil rinse or something would help...

Anyway, love you guys.

Antonio - sometimes i make myself crazy with the worry about all the 'stuff' - but as you said "stress and negative thoughts are huge". I made a decision to not have my mercury amalgams removed and replaced (until they fail...one by one) and now that the decision is made...I'm not panicking about it anymore.
I've gone down some rabbit holes in the past...and trying not to do that anymore - even went online to see if I could purchase some EMF blocking paint for our bedroom wall.....and my husband (bless his heart) said he'd paint the wall if I wanted him to...

RE: biological dentist. I would think they use a composite that doesn't contain any metals.
It's out of the question for me...the nearest biological dentist is about 2 1/2 hour drive plus a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride away. I've got a few amalgams...so it would be a few trips - including hotels...etc..etc.
Can't afford it. (The cost of removal and replacement with a biological dentist is $$$ and it won't be covered with my insurance)

You've only got a couple,right? I would do the composites if I were you. No point in putting more mercury amalgams in your mouth. (even if it means using your charge card)

Since you're not removing old amalgams...then a regular dentist should be fine - don't you think?

Hey its a bummer when you discovery that your dental work may be holding back your health. But its also great news-you can fix this and maybe regain your health. This may be the reason or a reason why you are sick in the first place. There are plenty of people who regain their health when they fix their dental-that may happen to you if you fix the dental.
Remember there are docs that start treating lyme by removing metals in mouth.

No more mercury amalgams.

I'm about to have all 14 of my amalgams removed - 8 teeth involved. If I get them done in quads, it will cost me $6,056. If I get it done in 2 visits, it will be $700 less. The dentist charges $350 each time for room set up as they basically treat it like a HAZMAT area.

Some others mentioned Clifford testing. I got testing with Biocomp Labs. There is a difference between their testing methods. You can read about it here. The Biocomp test result was 50 pages long. That's how many dental brands/products they test for.

/iaomt.org/practical-guide-compatibility-testing-dental-materials/

I saw the biological dentist Wednesday and we went over the test results. Thankfully, there were options that he already had that were in my least reactive lists. There were many products that I was reactive to, so like others said you can still have immune reactions to other dental materials. The dentist did mention one particular company whose products he has and will likely use. He said that company was one of the cleanest and did not use BPA.

One thing I noticed on my test results was that they had chromium, cobalt, and quinone in the list of least reactive materials. I had allergy patch tests done in 2009 and tested positive for allergies/sensitivities of skin reactions to those materials and had a known allergic reaction to a quinoline drug in the past. Those tests are blood tests that test for serum compatibility. They are not infallible. If you have ever had other allergy testing or known allergies, you will need to double check any test results. I told the dentist about all that and he marked those materials in red and will double check the specs on the materials he plans to use to make sure they don't have those in them.

I tried to start a post yesterday about what to do AFTER amalgam removal but my phone battery died. I'll be posting that soon. Please be on the lookout for it. I need a lot of advice and coaching on that.

Post Edited (WalkingbyFaith) : 5/4/2018 7:22:47 AM (GMT-6)

antonio,

The testing itself is quite expensive. I would ask for the specs on the materials. Maybe you could look up a biological dentist on the IAOMT site and call them and ask about the composite in question and the manufacturer. If you need me to, I can call the dentist office and ask which company it was that my dentist said was one of the cleaner, BPA free companies.

Antonio,

I've read on the IAOMT site that sometimes they can treat cavities with just ozone and no fillings are needed.

Girlie said...

WalkingbyFaith said...
Antonio,

I've read on the IAOMT site that sometimes they can treat cavities with just ozone and no fillings are needed.

But then doesn't the cavity just collect food and then rot again?

I have no idea. I assume they could only do that with small caries.