Bio-Compatible Dentistry Explained

 Bio-compatible dentistry is a fairly recent stream within dentistry that understands and treats the human body as one unit with many components, all linked together. As such, bio-compatible dentistry is often referred to as holistic dentistry, which takes a more comprehensive approach to dental treatment.

Read this article to understand the specifics of bio-compatible dentistry and whether it is a practice that you would like incorporated into your dental care.

Woman in lab coat smiling

How Does Bio-Compatible Dentistry Work?

In practice, bio-compatible dentistry is concerned with reducing or eliminating harmful chemicals from dental procedures. This means that dental fillings and implants made using traditional materials, i.e. amalgam, silver, metal, and some others, are to be replaced by other materials that have no adverse effects on patients.

Examples of Bio-Compatibility In Dentistry

As research into this field grows, more materials are being tested for their bio-compatibility. Some of these materials — which have been tried and tested — are listed below:

Man in scrubs with medical equipment

1. Dental Fillings

Over the years, many materials have been used for tooth fillings, one of the most common being amalgam. Research into this material has revealed that it contains around 50% mercury, a substance that the World Health Organization deemed harmful to the human body.  

Through innovative research, bio-compatible materials such as resin were created and then used as dental fillings. Unlike amalgam, most resin fillings are non-toxic as it is typically made from a combination of plastics and ceramics. But newer research suggests that not all resin composites are safe to use, as they may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which under certain conditions, can become harmful to the body.

2. Dental Practices

Another example of bio-compatible dentistry is revising dental practices and procedures to reduce or eliminate exposure to harmful chemicals. One good example is how dental fillings are taken out, especially if they are made of amalgam.

If you book a dentistry consultation to exchange your amalgam fillings for a non-toxic material, there are several things they should consider. To begin with, your dentist should provide you with a fresh source of oxygen and use ample water to regulate amalgam temperature during the procedure.

Your dentist should also use tools that allow them to remove amalgam quickly, such as a vacuum to remove any vapors of mercury that may be released. Finally, another way to mitigate mercury exposure is by adding a dam to stop particles from making their way into the mouth. Keep in mind that the dam also needs to be made of non-toxic materials. 

Dental tools and equipment

Benefits Of Bio-Compatible Dentistry

Although more research is needed to form definitive conclusions, bio-compatible dentistry has several important benefits. 

Patient with two dentists

1. Minimizes Invasive Procedures

Bio-compatible dentistry is based on the philosophy of holistic care that minimizes pain and harm to patients. This means that with a dentist specializing in this field, you might be offered alternative treatments to invasive procedures, which can potentially introduce dangerous bacteria into the mouth.

One example of an invasive procedure that can be avoided in some cases is a root canal. The alternative forms of treating a root canal include direct pulp capping and pulpotomy. Using minimally invasive techniques, these procedures ideally do not use chemicals that might harm the human body.

2. Prioritizes Overall Health, Comfort, And Aesthetics

With bio-compatible dentistry, you will also regain lost confidence, as your teeth will look completely natural for the most part. This is advantage materials that are not bio-compatible cannot offer. With composite resin, for example, you get to customize the color according to your natural teeth, opening up the potential for bio-compatible cosmetic dentistry practices to also take up.

But resin doesn't just look good; it feels good too. If applied properly, composite resin fillings can feel just like having regular teeth, with no aftertaste that silver and amalgam fillings often leave behind. Finally, bio-compatible dentistry also allows your dentist to treat other issues that you might be facing, such as sleep apnea. A dentist trained in traditional practices of general or cosmetic dentistry may not look beyond your dental issues.

Please note that if you have any discomfort related to a dental issue, or require emergency dental services, call 661-775-7717 to book an appointment.

If you wish to speak with a dental expert on bio-compatibility within the field, write to Copperhill Smiles at concierge@copperhillsmiles.com. You can also bring your concerns directly to the experts at the clinic in Santa Clarita from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM between Monday to Friday.