1. Do you offer single visit porcelain crowns?
2. What is you opinion on root canals?
3. My water isn’t fluoridated, should I be concerned?
4. Are dental x-rays safe and necessary?
5. What are the problems with mercury silver fillings?
6. Why don't you place mercury amalgam fillings?
7. What about mercury silver fillings and the environment?
8. Do you offer extended payment options?
Say Goodbye to Temporaries, Impressions and Multiple Appointments
First of all, if you're familiar with my treatment philosophy you already know that I hate crowns and very rarely do them. However, if you’ve ever had a tooth crowned, this probably sounds familiar . . . “Well Suzy we can restore that broken tooth with a crown. We’ll numb you up, grind away the remaining tooth all the way to the gum line, take an impression and make you a temporary crown. You’ll wear the temporary while the crown is being made. The temporary may come loose, and the tooth will be very sensitive, but if you come back in we'll re-glue it for you. In a few weeks you’ll come back for a second visit, we’ll numb you again, remove the temporary and cement the final crown. That’s all there is to it!”
If you ever need a "crown" done at Eastin Center for Modern Dentistry, the story will be a little different . . . “Well Suzy, we can restore that broken tooth with a porcelain onlay. After we gently numb the tooth with our Dental Wand, we’ll remove the damaged parts of the tooth and conserve every last bit of health tooth structure. Next we’ll work with an amazing but rare computer technology called CEREC that allows us to mill your onlay from a tooth-colored, bio-compatible porcelain block—that will take about 15 minutes . . . so you can have a little break, enjoy a beverage and catch up on all the latest gossip in People Magazine. After the onlay has finished milling, we’ll bond it directly to your tooth . . . sealing it against bacterial invasion and making it virtually as strong as it was before the damage. We’ll do this while you wait so you won’t have to wear a temporary crown or return for a second visit and can avoid a second dose of anesthetic.”
Welcome to 21st Century Dentistry!
Is there any such thing as a healthy root canal?
Let’s face it, few things in dentistry are more feared than the root canal. Most people hate them because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt. Truth is, modern technology has virtually eliminated the pain associated with dentistry . . . even the dreaded root canal.
However, from a health standpoint, there may be good reason to fear the root canal . . . there may be no such thing as a healthy root canal. This is why I take great care to prevent the need for root canal treatment. Using ultra-conservative, minimally invasive, biomimetic tooth preparation techniques and ozone therapy for treating deep cavities, the need for root canal treatment declines dramatically.
Typically a root canal is performed to treat a toothache. Common sense would imply that if the toothache goes away then the root canal worked . . . all is well. Modern science has a slightly different story to tell. Research from the University of Kentucky demonstrates that virtually every root canalled tooth studied to date contains disease causing bacteria and their toxins. These toxins are proven to pass into the bloodstream and have been associated with numerous diseases . . . heart disease, arthritis, diseases of the brain and nervous system to name a few.
Does this imply that everyone with a root canalled tooth is going to get a horrible disease? Probably not. While it’s clear that root canal treated teeth can present a health risk to certain people, the actual risk from these bacteria and toxins has not been scientifically investigated nor have methods to assess the risk for individuals with root canalled teeth been established.
This information generates some interesting questions:
- Should root canal treatments be done at all? We encourage people to carefully consider their options and advise them on an individual basis . . . considering their medical history and other factors.
- If I don't do the root canal, I'll have to loose the tooth . . . what then? If you truly need a root canal (the tooth nerve is dead) then the only other alternative is tooth extraction. If you loose the tooth, you may or may not decide to have it replaced. Replacement options include removable appliances, ultra-conservative inlay bridges or dental implants. Each option has unique benefits and risks. If you find yourself in this situation, we can walk you through the options so you can make the decision that is best for you.
- Can you tell a good root canal from a bad one? All root canalled teeth have some level of toxicity associated with them . . . even when they are pain-free and look fine on x-ray. However, some root canalled teeth are grossly infected . . . either they continue to hurt or the infection is obvious on x-ray. From a health perspective, these chronically infected teeth are very bad news—toxins from the tooth are travelling in the bloodstream to every cell in your body . . . these teeth absolutely need treatment.
- Are asymptomatic, non-grossly infected root canal treated teeth a health risk and should they be extracted? At the present time, we don't feel there is enough solid evidence to provide a clear-cut answer. There are so many factors to consider that, should this question arise, we prefer to advise you an individual basis. In general, we do not recommend the removal of root canal treated teeth unless there are obvious signs of infection present.
As you can see, the root canal story is a bit complicated and more research is needed, but the most current scientific evidence suggests that there is no such thing as a healthy root canal. Tis is why I work so hard to prevent root canals and prefer conservative biomimetic dentistry.
My water isn’t fluoridated . . . should I be concerned?
It may not come as a big surprise, but my opinion on fluoride is in direct opposition to organized dentistry.
The use of fluoride, and particularly fluoridation of drinking water, has been touted for the last few decades as a huge boon to dental health. Dental societies and public health agencies have vigorously promoted water fluoridation as one of the most beneficial public health policies ever introduced. We are not convinced. Don't get me wrong . . . I'm all for preventing tooth decay, it's just that fluoride is not the way to do it. Decay can be prevented and reversed with proper diet and early decay can be cured with ozone treatment.
Objective and thorough review of the relevant science shows the toxic properties of ingested fluoride have been grossly overlooked, and the benefits of fluoridation have been widely overrated. Simply stated, fluoride is a poison and a neuro-toxin, and it doesn't work to prevent cavities. If you'd like more information refer to one of the factual and reliable websites on this topic: www.fluoridealert.org. We do not provide fluoride treatments. We do not support public water fluoridation. We do not prescribe fluoride supplements.
Are dental x-rays safe and necessary?
Many people are concerned about the potential health effects of dental x-rays. As a doctor trained in both dentistry and natural medicine, I share that concern. Environmental exposure to radiation may have detrimental effects on the human body. My goal is to balance the enormous diagnostic benefits of x-rays with any potential risk.
When all sources of environmental exposure to radiation are considered, dental x-rays contribute less than 0.1% to the overall burden while medical exposure contributes 20%. The impact of dental x-rays is so low that when experts calculate the “estimated genetically significant dose” from medical procedures, dental exposure is not even considered.
On any given day our entire bodies are exposed to significant doses of background radiation. By comparison, a single dental x-ray is equivalent to 0.075 days of environmental exposure. However, a standard medical CAT Scan exposes you to 10,000 times the average daily background exposure.
Despite the minimal exposure risk from dental x-rays, I am still very conservative in prescribing them—only recommending them when the benefit outweighs the very small risk. In addition, we use digital x-ray technology that reduces the already minimal exposure by 90% compared to conventional x-rays. With this technology, you receive more x-ray exposure walking across the parking lot to your car than you received from your dental x-rays.
What’s the problem with mercury silver fillings (amalgam)?
Mercury fillings, euphemistically called "silver" or "amalgam" fillings, have been used in dentistry since the Civil War era. They are an amalgam of 50% mercury, mixed with silver, copper, tin and other metals. Mercury fillings were invented as a cheap alternative to gold. Because they are easy to place and inexpensive, mercury fillings have been widely used for 150 years. So, what’s the controversy?
- By volume, amalgam fillings contain over 50% mercury—one of the most toxic substances on earth.
- Mercury amalgam technology is ancient by modern medical standards. Mercury amalgam was standardized for manufacture in 1895 and dentists have been using it to fill teeth for at least 160 years.
- Mercury silver fillings do not bond (stick) to the tooth structure. This requires the dentist to wedge the filling into the tooth to keep it from falling out. However, creating this wedge effect requires the removal of excessive amounts of healthy tooth structure—weakening the tooth and predisposing it to cracks and fracture.
- The lack of a bond between the filling and the tooth permits bacteria to leak underneath the filling. This creates decay that is often not detected until the tooth has been further damaged.
- Just like in a thermometer, the mercury part of the filling expands and contracts. These expansion and contraction cycles wedge the tooth apart. Eventually the tooth will fatigue, crack and split. Repairing a cracked tooth usually requires either a root canal and/or a crown.
In contrast, modern tooth-colored restorations are adhesive, highly cosmetic and mercury-free. These esthetic restorations are strongly bonded to the tooth using a state-of-the-art technique that intimately binds the material to the surrounding tooth structure. Using these advanced materials and techniques we can restore the original strength and beauty of the tooth.
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Why has Dr. Eastin chosen to avoid the use of mercury silver fillings (amalgam)?
Our commitment to state-of-the-art, advanced dentistry, precludes the use of silver filling material (called amalgam) to restore your teeth. These are some of the reasons why:
- Amalgam or “silver” dental fillings contain 50% mercury.
- Mercury is a one of the most toxic substances known on earth. World renowned mercury toxicologists state that no amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless.
- There are no studies proving that amalgam is safe when placed in the human body. In fact, amalgam has never been subjected to FDA testing. If it were being introduced today, it is highly unlikely that it would ever receive FDA approval as a dental device.
- OSHA and the EPA classify dental amalgam as a hazardous and toxic waste. They mandate that all amalgam removed from your tooth must be stored in a specialized container to prevent personal and environmental exposure to the continuous release of hazardous mercury vapor.
- Scientific research has demonstrated that mercury, even in small amounts, can damage the brain and nervous system, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, blood cells, enzymes and hormones. Mercury is also known to suppress the T-cells of immune system by as much as 100%.
- Mercury readily passes through the placental barrier in pregnant women and can cause permanent damage to the brain of the developing baby. Mercury appears in the amniotic fluid just two days after placement of an amalgam filling in a pregnant woman. Mercury is also concentrated in breast milk.
- Mercury vapor is continually released from mercury dental fillings. The release of mercury can be increased as much as 15-fold by chewing, brushing, eating acidic foods and drinking hot liquids.
- The World Health Organization has concluded that the daily intake of mercury from amalgam fillings exceeds the combined daily intake of mercury derived from air, water and food (including fish). Studies by the National Institute of Health confirm a direct correlation between mercury levels in a person’s blood, urine and stool and the number of amalgam fillings in their teeth.
- Mercury vapor released from amalgam fillings is rapidly absorbed and accumulated in body tissue.
- In human autopsy studies, it has been found that there is a direct correlation between the amount of mercury found in the brain and the number of mercury fillings in the teeth. Scientific research has shown high levels of mercury in the brains of individuals dead from Alzheimer’s disease. Mercury has been shown to effect the brain in ways similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Placing amalgam fillings often requires drilling away large amounts of healthy tooth structure. These fillings can profoundly weaken the tooth and often lead to the placement of much larger fillings, crowns and, in many cases, root canals.
- Modern dental materials now exist that are more biologically compatible than dental amalgam. When placed with meticulous attention to detail, the new materials are highly cosmetic and can reinforce the tooth. By using these techniques, we may be able to prevent fractured teeth and the need for some root canals and crowns.
What are the environmental concerns associated with mercury silver fillings?
It is well established that mercury is a significant environmental contaminant. Millions of dollars are spent on cleaning up toxic industrial mercury spills. Controlling mercury emissions from industrial settings has become a big environmental priority. In our neighboring Washington State, the Department of Ecology has included mercury on its list of the top nine targeted "Persistent Bio-accumulative Toxins" to be eliminated in our environment. A dirty little secret is that the dental industry is spilling a significant amount of mercury into the environment!
Wastewater treatment agencies in several parts of the U.S. and Canada recently have been studying this problem. They find that wastewater entering the municipal treatment plants often contains unacceptable levels of heavy metals—including mercury. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to process heavy metals. It is important that this contamination is cut off at the source. Their studies have estimated that up to 80%of the mercury contamination of wastewater entering the treatment plants is coming from dental offices!
How does this happen? Any time a mercury amalgam filling is placed or removed, there is a significant amount of amalgam sludge that is vacuumed up by the dental assistant. It doesn't just disappear. That mercury-laden sludge goes down the drain and into the wastewater system. In most offices, this goes completely unchecked. Several European countries have had regulations for years that require dental offices to be equipped with special mercury-separator devices that filter out or trap mercury before the wastewater leaves the dental office. In the near future, such regulations will take effect in some Canadian cities, and it is likely that parts of the U.S. will follow suit.
We are proud to say that we have had such a wastewater protective service in place for several years. It's a simple step that makes a significant environmental impact.
Do you offer extended payment options?
High quality dentistry is an excellent investment in your health and well being. We believe that financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining the treatment you desire. We have a variety of payment options to help make quality dental care affordable. Many of our patients choose to pay for their dental investment over time. We work with Care Credit, a company that provides credit options specifically for dental procedures. Care Credit offers the following benefits:
- No initial payments
- 3, 6 or 12 month no interest options
- Low, fixed rates with terms ranging from 18 to 60 months
- No prepayment penalty
1250 W Ironwood Dr # 216 Coeur D Alene, ID, 83814 USA
Reception@IdahoNaturalDentist.com • 208-667-4844
