There is very little difference between a holistic dentist and a biological dentist. In fact, some dentists consider them to be one and the same. However, there is a big difference between a holistic or biological dentist and a traditional dentist.

Broadly speaking, a holistic or biological dentist is concerned with your overall health and wellbeing, not merely on the health of the teeth and gums. The term “holistic” means that is taking into account all the parts of something, considering them all to be interconnected. In medicine, this means that a holistic doctor (or dentist) addresses not only the health of the mouth and the body, but also the mental state of the patient and even social factors that affect them.

A good example of this approach to dentistry is the problem of tobacco use. A traditional dentist would look at the mouth, the teeth, the gums, and work on repairing the damage to the mouth. But a holistic dentist would recognize that smoking has other side effects, including, of course, cancer, but also heart disease, diabetes, cognitive problems associated with age, and more.

The holistic dentist wouldn’t be satisfied with merely trying to get tobacco stains off your teeth. They would want to get to the heart of the problem.

What is holistic dental care?

Holistic dentists also use safe materials in their work. They want the most toxin-free, bio-compatible dental products. One notable material that holistic dentists avoid is the use of amalgam, which are fillings with mercury. Mercury amalgam fillings can lead to neurological damage.

The American Dental Association claims that the amount of mercury is so low in fillings as to be a non-issue, but a holistic dentist is not content with that. They want the entire procedure to be mercury safe.

Another important factor of holistic or biological dentistry is the education that these dentists give to their patients. Rather than rushing a patient through from x-rays to cleanings to inspection to out the door, a holistic dentist will take the time needed to explain how your entire body is being affected by your oral health.

On the whole, a holistic dentist will spend more time with the patient than a traditional dentist, and this is to make sure that you have all the information you need to be healthier. It’s also to make sure that you have all the time you need to ask any and every question.

Do holistic dentists do root canals?

The point of a root canal, according to traditional dentists, is to save a “dying” tooth. But holistic dentists are less likely to immediately jump to a drilling solution. In fact, one of the big differences in biological dentistry vs regular dentistry is the willingness to use invasive techniques.

A holistic or biological dentist is going to look for drill-less options, like air abrasion, ozone therapy or laser therapy on a tooth. (They also use digital x-rays that emit lower levels of radiation than traditional x-rays.)

Yes, a holistic dentist may perform a root canal, but will do it after other therapies have been exhausted. And there will be much more education given about the risks and benefits of the procedure than you would get from a traditional dentist.

Is there a holistic biological dentist near me?

Dr. Frey’s dental practice is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, but he also has dental offices in London. He is a dentist who is interested in more than good oral health, but in your overall condition.

Are biological dentists worth it?

That’s a question that you’ll have to answer for yourself, but it would be wise to visit a holistic biological dentist, rather than just a traditional dentist, and see the difference between the two.

The important factor for you may be mercury fillings. It may be whole-body health. It may be non-invasive procedures. Whatever it is, we’re sure you’ll find Dr. Frey is the dentist for you.

ave you heard of holistic dentistry? This alternative approach to dentistry is gaining traction and attention, and it may be appealing to you as well.

Generally speaking, a dentist that practices a holistic approach, is concerned with the health of the entire body. Or, as WebMD puts it, “Above all, they believe in the principles of holistic medicine. That means they believe someone’s dental health is connected to their overall health.”

WebMD goes on to say that “You could see a holistic dentist for a number of reasons. As with any level of care, a dentist should fit your needs. If you are interested in alternative medicine, a holistic dentist is a good choice. Since they are licensed and trained dentists, they can provide needed services while using alternative techniques and natural remedies.”

But what makes a dentist holistic, and how does this approach work in practice?

What is the difference between holistic dental treatment and regular dental treatment?

A traditional dentist tends to focus on things like

And, of course, these are vitally important aspects of oral health and dentistry. Every dentist has an interest in preventing or treating tooth decay, and holistic dentists are no exception. As Healthline says, however, “holistic dentists do not perform root canals. They believe root canals aren’t totally safe due to the procedure and chemicals used.”

As WebMD explains, “Holistic dentists diagnose and treat conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, tooth infection, enamel degradation, or dry mouth. Instead of focusing on dental cleaning, a holistic dentist offers education to encourage personal oral hygiene.”

One way that alternative dentistry differs from traditional dentistry is in the materials that they use in procedures. Where a traditional dentist may use amalgam fillings, holistic dentists will often steer clear of them in favor of mercury-free dental filling options.

Holistic dentists often recommend avoiding chemicals such as fluoride. Healthline says “Holistic dentists opt for “biocompatible” or natural materials instead of the types of substances used by a traditional dentist. Biocompatibility refers to the way substances affect your body. This speaks to the whole-body approach of the practice.”

Holistic dentistry and TMJ

Another distinction between traditional and holistic dentistry is that the latter will often provide treatment for a broader range of issues. One standout condition that holistic dentists often treat are TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
Many dentists don’t provide any treatment options for TMJ at all. Others may be convinced that surgey is the first option for treating these disorders. A holistic dentist will understand that the jaw and face pain that TMJ causes are tied to the overall health of the body.

In our blog, we’ve discussed an array of non-surgical treatments for TMJ. These can range from muscle relaxation to realign the bite to physical therapy. Many times a holistic dentist will recommend talk therapy, understanding that TMJ and stress are closely related.

One of the most common holistic approaches to the treatment of TMJ is the utilization of an oral orthotic device. On our website, we discuss one such device called the anterior repositioning appliance. We explain:

This appliance allows for the lower jaw to re-nestle itself in a larger upper jaw. With this appliance, we are now able to help patients with sleep apnea, poor posture, and can allow the lower jawbones to accommodate all the teeth in a place that is in harmony with jaw joints, vertebrae, and muscles of the head and neck.

This is the essence of Face-forward Orthodontics or Jaw Development orthodontics or Orthopedic Orthodontics which allows the lower jaw to come down and forward creating happier muscles and more room in the joint space.

It’s this intersection of oral health and overall physical health that aligns this device with holistic dental care.

There are many potential benefits of holistic dentistry. The exploration of how your oral health may be connected to other health problems may help our overall health care. Avoiding certain chemicals or substances may be healthier for your body overall. And there are many reasons to avoid surgery for conditions like TMJ unless all alternatives have been exhausted.

Bright white teeth are more than just beautiful. In today’s society, we read into a person’s appearance, maybe much more than we should. According to research, a radiant smile portrays everything from social status to wealth status. Right down to character traits, the smile has the power to create our image. From this perspective, we see the immense value of a shining smile, and of effective cosmetic dentistry.

Teeth Whitening Beverly Hills

Dr. Frey serves patients from our local Beverly Hills neighborhood, and from all over the world. There is a reason for this: our patients know that competency makes an enormous difference in treatment outcomes. Even for the correction of something so common as tooth discoloration, competency is necessary. Here’s what happens when you choose to forego the DIY method of teeth whitening and put your smile in your dentist’s hands:

When you choose to put your desire for a brighter smile into your dentist’s hands, you can feel more comfortable and more satisfied with the outcome of treatment. We would be happy to discuss your options for teeth whitening in a private consultation in our Beverly Hills office. Call 310-276-4537 to schedule your visit.

HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME OUR PATIENT? Most of our patients find us through trusted referrals from friends, extended family members, neighbors, and coworkers. When it comes to something as important as health care, honest personal endorsements are the best guide when people are making these decisions.

Thanks So Much For Your Referrals

You know what’s really cool about a new patient who comes to our office based on a referral? We know that referral originated from one of YOU—a valued patient that we’re connected to and already serving. It’s the ultimate compliment for us and it makes US smile.

During the early days of the internet, people searched online for a dentist by keying in their city name and the word “dentist”. But times have changed. Today, people look to trusted, permission-based social networks like Facebook and others to ask for their family’s and friends’ recommendations. That’s one of the reasons why we love social media so much… It makes it easy for our patients to share. Then, social media makes it easy for those potential new patients to really get to know us—even before they walk through our door for the first time.

Thanks For Your Reviews Too

Life is super busy. We understand, and we know we’re asking a lot. But when you DO have a minute it’s always greatly appreciated. Our review page is a great place to share your impressions. And, you can always go to our Facebook page to leave a comment, a recommendation, or to direct message us.

So, What Brought YOU To Our Practice For The First Time?

We’d love to hear! And ANYTIME we can do something to help make your visits even better, please let us know. Your feedback helps us continually improve and give the best service possible to our patients. Thanks!