Biological Dentistry

Conservative Dentistry

Biological Dentistry is dentistry that takes into account the whole person: it recognizes the connection and relationship between oral health and systemic health. Biological dentists understand that the techniques and materials used and the procedures performed have potential whole body effects.

Biological dentists seek out the cause of symptoms rather than just treating the symptoms themselves. The goal is to keep clients healthy or enable them to obtain optimal health, rather than just continuously mending broken mouths- dentistry done in this fashion provides clients with the safest experience for their overall health.

As the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine states, “Biological dentistry is conservative dentistry. The aim is to be minimally invasive yet appropriately active.”

Dr. Schwartz works with other health care professionals to determine individualized compatibility of dental materials (biocompatibility testing) and detoxification of the negative influence of oral toxins.

SMART- Safe Mercury Removal

Biocompatibility Materials Testing

We frequently have patients who are interested in having their dental restorations be the most biologically compatible. 

Our office offers two ways to have materials testing done:

1. Applied Kinesiology or Muscle Testing: Applied Kinesiology is based upon the activity of muscles and the relationship of muscle strength to health. We do not currently provide muscle testing in office however; we have material kits available for you to take to a practitioner of your choice. We have a list of local practitioners available should you need a referral. 

2. The Clifford Materials Reactivity Test: The Clifford Materials Reactivity test screens for existing systemic reactions associated with 94 chemical groups and compounds found in dental materials. A blood draw is required to prepare a specimen for testing. Our office will supply you with a prescription and the Clifford Test Kit which you can take to a lab of your choice for the blood draw. The specimen is then shipped overnight to Clifford Consulting and Research, Inc. with the included shipping material provided in the kit. For more information: Clifford Consulting Laboratory, 719-550-0008

WholeHealth does not endorse any one method of testing. You must make a personal choice on which testing method applies to your situation. 

Ozone Dentistry - Ozone Therapy

What is Ozone?

Ozone is a powerful oxidant. Ozone is created by an energetic reaction that results in an oxygen molecule (O2) being split into a singlet oxygen (O1). This singlet oxygen (O1) combines with an oxygen molecule (O2) forming ozone (O3). Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere, i.e. sunlight, lightning, waterfalls, and oceans. Ozone is also produced naturally in our bodies in white blood cells/antibodies. When introduced into a living system, ozone creates an “oxidative burst”, which safely disinfects and stimulates natural healing processes, increasing blood flow and immune responses to gain more rapid healing.

What does Ozone do?

Ozone kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These offending pathogens have little or no antioxidant enzymes in their cell membranes, therefore ozone is able to oxidize, or burn through the cells, destroying them (resulting in cell death). Healthy cells do have antioxidant enzymes thus ensuring protection from being oxidized or burned up by the ozone.

Besides being deadly to bacteria, viruses, and fungi, ozone also speeds up wound healing, remineralizes the tooth, halts dental cavities, increases circulation, and creates a “friendly” mouth environment.

In addition, Ozone can be used in root canal treatment, periodontal disease treatment, for bone infections, cold sores, and canker sores.

Is Ozone safe?

Ozone is safe when used correctly and with the proper/high-quality equipment. Control of the excess ozone in the office environment is essential. Ozone monitors are used to indicate office ozone levels stay at safe levels. Ozone concentrations/dosages used in dentistry are very safe and keep office environment ozone levels low.

We use a high quality ozone generator for a wide variety of applications related to dentistry. Longevity Resources produces a medical grade OXYGEN fed cold corona discharge ozone unit.

Biological Periodontal Therapy with Ozone

Periodontal Disease is a complex problem that effects most people at some point in their life. It is an infection in the gums and bone that surround the teeth. Our treatment for periodontal disease utilizes the combination of two techniques:

1) Biological Periodontal Therapy
2) Ozone Periodontal Therapy

The combination of these techniques offer a minimally-invasive, effective way to thoroughly disinfect the diseased/infected pockets around teeth, thus promoting the natural healing process to take place.

*Contact our office and we can further discuss the benefits of Biological Periodontal Therapy with Ozone.

Biological Extraction

Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons:

- Infection: extensively decayed tooth that is infected and can not be restored due to amount of damage.
- Fracture: extensive fracture that can not be repaired with any type of dental restoration.
- Failed Root Canal: re-infection of previously root canal treated tooth, which may or may not be retreated with another root canal.
- Inflammation in pulp (nerve) in tooth.
- Elective removal of previously treated root canal tooth.

Removing a tooth is an unwelcoming experience for anyone. Complete Dental Exam/Consultation, along with education about the pros and cons of dental extraction, is extremely important prior to extracting a tooth. This includes, not only the extraction process, but also a full understanding of replacement options. If extraction of a tooth is chosen, below is a brief outline of our process.

Biological Dental Extraction:

1. Diseased, infected, and/or inflamed tooth is removed with atraumatic minimally-invasive techniques.

2. Tooth socket, or extraction site, is thoroughly cleaned of infected tissue and debris from extraction.

3. Periodontal ligament is removed to promote proper bone healing.

4. Blood clot formed in socket and instructions given for care extraction site following procedure.

   Optional additions to the above procedure:

5. Ozone is used in area around the extracted tooth to disinfect and promote healing.

6. Biological Homeopathic remedies are injected in the tissues around the extraction.

7. Ozonated Olive Oil for post-procedure healing at home.

8. Homeopathic options for pain and inflammation control

9. Ear and/or Nasal Ozone treatments to promote further healing - done over follow-up visits (1-6 appts).

Although keeping teeth vital is a priority at WholeHealth Family Dentistry (WHFD), there are times where an extraction becomes the healthiest choice. When we perform extractions biologically, Dr. Schwartz will try to reduce as much trauma to the area by performing an atraumatic extraction. Atraumatic extractions involve splitting and removing the tooth in sections, the focus is to leave as much bone in the area and lessen the inflammatory response. Once a tooth is removed the focus shifts to cleaning the area thoroughly to help promote the best healing outcomes. Dr. Schwartz will curettage the site to remove any infection and then carefully he removes the ligament tissue within the socket, which helps prevent cavitations. Decontamination of the extraction site is achieved by using the Fotona laser and ozonated saline solution. The laser treatment helps kill microbes left in the socket, and aids the body in its healing processes. Options for placement of a bone graft for socket preservation can be given. WHFD utilizes Socket Graft Injectable for socket preservation. This material is composed of a calcium phosphate biocement that can be placed into the socket to help form a biocompatible matrix for healthy bone to develop within the socket while keeping the socket area covered by a membrane to keep out food debris. This helps to promote healthy thick bone for future implant placement options, and lessens the chance of dry socket concerns. Extractions are always followed up with various ozone treatments to help promote healing.