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Does anyone have advice about/experience with composite fillings? I had an old (about a decade?) mercury amalgam filling replaced with a composite about four years ago. Now I need to have it replaced again and have a crown on that tooth. I'm pretty diligent about flossing and brushing (several times a day) so I'm wondering if composites just have a shorter life span. Also, the advantage of matching my tooth color was lost on me since it is discolored anyway from coffee/tea. However, I'm still considering it because of the mercury controversy, and I developed an allergy to metals (can't wear cheap earrings anymore). Did anyone else find their metal allergy affected by amalgam fillings or crowns? in need of dental advice
I may need a root canal. Everything inside me is against it for many reasons. I do not rest easy knowing there will be a dead tooth breeding bacteria inside my skull for the rest of my life since it is impossible to completely rid the area of all bacteria. I just read a couple books on how root canals can lead to to other disease and are maybe not a good idea. I am seeking other options, and more specifically a dentist or oral surgeon that is familiar with alternative techniques. Anywhere in the East Bay would be my focus area, but I am open to outside areas as well. Has anyone had a good experience, or can recommend an alternative? Thanks. -aching but apprehensive
I have a very traditional dentist whom I have always thought was great and have been going to for years. However, I have old dental work -- a metallic bridge. It is now loose, and I would prefer to go with some other non metallic option due to concerns about mercury in amalgam dental work. I brought this up once with my dentist before and he told me there was nothing to be worried about...it seems this bridge is the kind of work he does, and he says there is no other easy way to do the bridge. However, there is a lot of amalgam metal in my mouth and I still have serious concerns. Should I look for another dentist? Should I try to talk to him again? He is going to want to replace the bridge next time I go in and I would like to have a plan in place before I go in. --No Mercury Please
I just want to clarify one more thing. A DMD and a DDS are the same equal title. It has to do with degrees from the west coast and the east coast. I do agree that removal of amalgam will definitely expose you to more mercury and it should be done with care. A DDS in Berkeley
I am trying to find a dentist who is able to do inlays and is good at avoiding root canals. I've become aware of the importance of dentists using non-toxic materials, finding to my horror that I have had all sorts of bad stuff used in the past, and I need to sort this out. It's as if there's either 'biocompatible' dentists or 'excellent' ones, and I can't work out online through the maze of advertising who is going to be able to help... Anyone with any advice about this? I have narrowed down to a shortlist of possible dentists - does anyone have any experience of going to any of these? Jeff Brucia Josh Bernstein Chris Catalano Kenneth Rotman
anon I'd be very grateful for any help or advice - I want to avoid getting any more toxic material in my mouth - but I need some good quality dentistry to stop any more problems. It seems like every time I went to the dentist in the past I lost more money and ended up with more pain!! If anyone knows how to end this cycle, or has any advice or recommendations about the dentists I've mentioned, or anyone else, I'd be really grateful. I looked through the recommendations on the website, but they seem maybe a bit out of date, and don't address these issues of biocompatibility and excellence/experience. Hoping someone can help, and that this may help more people than just me! Needing a dental miracle
I am looking for a reliable dentist for our 6 year old son in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area. I would like to find someone who 1. does not use mercury fillings 2. uses x-rays very sparingly 3. is Ok working without nitrous oxide 4. uses rubber dams when doing fillings 5. uses magnification when drilling Thank you for any suggestions, Eva
Can folks please recommmend a dentist who uses *only* composite filling material (no mercury amalgam)? I know most dentists will do the non-mercury fillings upon request, but, from my experience, these dentists don't do a good job with the fillings. I also need an incredibly good dentist because I have horrible, horrible teeth and, though my current dentist uses only composite fillings and is very nice, she has not diagnosed problems very well. The previous recommendations, which I have read, are a few years old and are specific to Berkeley. Thanks for your help! MG
Recommendations received:
We are new to the Richmond/Berkeley area and in need of a mercury- free dentist, preferably someone who can also create all-porcelain crowns. Any recommendations? Thanks, Susan
After losing a tooth last time I attempted to get an amalgam replaced, I am tring to find a dentist to replace my other amalgams. This isn't just for the mercury toxic thing - my fillings are falling apart. It's good to see that at last there is some acknowledgement around that amalgams are not necessarily a great idea - many dentists just went along with the ADA statement that amalgams were safe, and kept on calling them 'silver fillings' when really they have a lot of mercury in them.
I've looked at the website and found recommendations for Drs Fred Pockrass, and Joshua Bernstein. But it's hard to tell from their websites how they really are with patients - has anyone been to them for amalgam replacement recently?
The dentist I went to before (not anyone on recommended on this website) claimed to be holistic, but wasn't very skilled. In general, I've found that dentists either advertise that they are 'holistic', and then they would probably be great about the mercury issue - I wouldn't need to ask twice for safety precautions in removing the fillings. Or - they advertise that they are cosmetic experts, with lots of training, and can do very good quality work. Both these approaches can also be supplemented by a very upmarket, financial awareness - so the dentists may be unusually expensive.
I am trying to find one who can do both, and doesn't charge exorbitant rates. The money is not so important, for one that I could trust to do quality work and would be careful about mercury toxicity. I'd really appreciate recommendations for a dentist who could help - I don't mind travelling at all (better than dental stress!). Thanks for any ideas! Ellie
Recommendations received:
I'm looking for a dentist who doesn't push having diagnostic x- rays once a year. My old dentist was very understanding about my decision to avoid unnecessary x-rays (When I lived in Oregon my dentist told me that any good dentist should be able to find a cavity without using x-rays and since I've been x-rayed quite a bit, I decided long ago that I would skip having dental x-rays unless there was a compelling reason to have them). But he retired and now I have to argue about it with his replacement every six months when I go in for a cleaning. I'm sick of it and would like to find a good dentist in the Oakland area who doesn't rely on routine x-rays. I like the descriptions on the website of Laurie Shephard-Page, and I'm wondering where she stands on the x-ray question. nelly
Recommendations received:
Hi - I am going spare looking for a dentist I can trust...can anyone help? I am looking for a dentist who follows the IAOMT procedures for safely replacing mercury fillings (mine are falling apart) with a non-toxic alternative material, and does (or refers for) biocompatible periodontal work, and is also very good at cosmetic work (ie bridges or implants). I have so much wrong with my teeth, and also I'm absolutely terrified of dentists (basically I moved over here from England where dentistry was nightmarish when I was a child...). Any help would be very gratefully received! Janice
I would like my amalgams removed. Can anyone recommend a dentist who is aware of all the safety protocol and can refer a chelation/detoxification therapy? Preferably someone who knows about European techniques such as using nasal oxygen supply, and either the Clean Up system (from Sweden) or the dental dam with lots of high power suction. I have Alameda Alliance First Care commissioned Delta Dental (it is not straight Delta) but haven't yet found a dentist under thsi plan who uses the highest safety standards). The only local dentist I've found is Dr. Rusta who follows the standards set by a Dr. Broderson-- any thoughts on these dentists? Recommendations or personal anecdotes welcome. Otherwise...I will probably just get it done in Europe (in Germany and Holland the price is only 45 Euros per tooth!!) but I prefer to have it done here since the best method is supposedly getting them removed over several weeks. saskia
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