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General Dentistry
Diagnostic Tests
Cosmetic
Holistic/Alternative Treatments
Periodontal
Bodywork
TMJ/TMD
Holistic/Alternative Treatments
Natural alternative to root canal treatments
Dr. Swidler has developed the first pulp exposure kit in the field of dentistry. It has safe all natural ingredients. Developed by his research with Japanese herbs and antioxidants, this procedure is utilized in areas of very deep tooth decay or nerve pulp exposure. This is a new and highly successful procedure never before available in the field of dentistry and can be used if the tooth has not died and is still responsive to anesthetic. Where previously these teeth were condemned to root canal or extraction, for over 11 years of clinical use we have been able to save (keep alive) over 90% of these teeth ! Remember, no where else in medicine do we keep a “dead part” in the body. While root canals may eliminate pain, they can potentially harbor bacteria & viruses which can continually circulate within the body. Currently this service is only available at Medicine Wheel Dental.
From the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT)
Is there a concern about the use of mercury in dentistry?
Many people do not realize the “silver” amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. A large filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer. Mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature, and in this state, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. The World Health Organization has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources of mercury combined. Mercury is a powerful poison. Published research demonstrates that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. No amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless, especially considering its cumulative effect.
Is there an associated health risk?
Mercury is the most toxic, non-radioactive element on the earth. Most medical and scientific researchers have called for a ban on the use of mercury in all products. Amalgams have been banned from use in numerous countries already. However, until recently the potential harmful effects of mercury fillings have been ignored by the U.S. Government and media. Due to its poisonous nature, mercury can adversely affect the immune, urinary, cardiac, respiratory and digestive systems. Under laboratory conditions, mercury has produced brain cell deterioration identical to that seen in victims of Alzheimer’s disease.
Should I have my mercury fillings removed?
Replacing functional, clinically acceptable mercury “silver” fillings is a personal choice. We suggest you research the science involved to make an informed choice.
The IAOMT believes you should eliminate these fillings unless you are pregnant or lactating. Mercury vapor is continuously emitted from dental fillings and accumulates in the body over time. The damaging effects of this exposure may not manifest for years or even decades. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that even low levels of mercury cause measurable adverse health effects. Mercury in the body tissues of a fetus or infant correlates statistically with the number of dental amalgam fillings in the mother. Newborns may be at risk for learning disabilities because of mercury their mother absorbed during pregnancy. Mercury vapor crosses the blood brain barrier, the placental barrier, and passes through breast milk. Many physicians are testing their patients for mercury toxicity and referring them to biologic/holistic dentists.
Watch: How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Damage
Should I take supplements prior to mercury filling removal?
Most biological dentists work in conjunction with physicians, who may prescribe supplements prior to the removal of mercury fillings. It is imperative that chronically ill patients seek advice from a physician knowledgeable in mercury toxicity issues. In general, unless prior IV Vitamin C chelation is elected, it is best to stop high vitamin and antioxidant intake 1 day before the mercury removal procedure as these will tend to nullify the effects of the dental anesthetic.
Is there a proper way to remove mercury fillings?
Our office reduces these risks by utilizing the following protocols:
- Patients wear a nasal hood & breathe oxygen during the procedure (essential when mercury fillings are removed or replaced.)
- Oral vitamin C will be provided (pill & liquid form) or Vitamin C IV drip is available upon request. (Used for chelation of the mercury atoms in the bloodstream before they get deposited in the body tissues.
- High-speed suction, room ventilation and filtration are used to help in assuring mercury vapor is properly eliminated.
- We will utilize a cotton drop cloth technique, which Dr. Swidler developed to most effectively catch harmful debris often associated with mercury removal from contacting mouth tissues. Currently the rubber dam approach is still often used amongst many practitioners but we have found that once the dam is removed, metal debris is almost always found. The cotton drop cloth technique consists of numerous layers of cotton and paper products, functioning like a magnet for the harmful debris
- High flow water and air flow (water cooled instruments)
- Dr. and assistant wear mercury vapor masks. We don’t mean to have anyone feel distant from our caring expressions but we take our job very seriously. Our occupational setting exposes us to hazardous wastes and mercury vapors when we remove your amalgams. Our masks, vitamin C levels, and air control minimize our risks to exposure
- Prior to amalgam removal, we recommend a test for heavy metals, and to evaluate how your body is currently handling these toxins. Cooperation with your physician or complementary health care provider is helpful to develop the best personalized chelation/detoxification approach. Besides measuring the body’s heavy metal body burden, we want to ensure that the body is working efficiently to clear the heavy metals from other body tissues.
- Exclusive natural treatment for root canal prevention
- At Medicine Wheel Dental we utilize an Exclusive all natural treatment to avoid the need for root canals. Dr. Swidler developed and introduced this protocol to dentistry. With over 10 years of research, this highly effective approach has saved over 90% of teeth previously sent for root canal or extraction. This option is indicated only when there is still vital tissue in the tooth and anesthetic is effective.
Utilization of biocompatible Materials
- Medicine Wheel Dental uses materials that are most compatible with your physiology. Special tests can be completed on an individual basis as needed.
Exclusive TMJ/Body Alignment Program – Please contact Medicine Wheel Dental
General Dentistry
- Comprehensive New Patient exam
This is the single most important visit to determine your needs and to present treatment options. We spend a lot of time listening and exploring dental and medical history as well as your current symptomology and health/wellness profile. Aside from a thorough clinical dental exam, we also evaluate jaw/bite/body interrelationships, soft tissue and oral cancer screening. Depending on the complexity of the case, we may require additional diagnostic records (study models, tests, or specialty x-rays, etc.). We suggest you bring any current (within 2 years) x-rays with you to this appointment or we will recommend obtaining these records here. - Limited Oral Examination (Emergency Care)
This examination is to evaluate a specific urgent/pressing need or concern. Once this is addressed an appointment for a comprehensive exam will be scheduled. - Periodic Examinations
While most patients are used to the dentist spending 3 – 5 minutes at the end of a cleaning appointment to do a dental exam, our periodic examination is typically a 15 – 30 minute stand alone appointment where we reevaluate with the thoroughness of a comprehensive new patient exam (we suggest this service annually at minimum). - Consultation/2nd Opinions
Many times those who are being presented with a treatment they are unsure of, or want to learn what natural/alternative approaches may be available, come in for this service. We can also provide 2nd opinions and guidance if you are restricted to an in-network dental insurance plan.
- Digital X-rays
This state of the art technology produces very clear diagnostics at 1/9th the radiation exposure of already low dose standard dental x-rays.- Note – For those wanting to minimize the impact energetically consider going to your local homeopathic pharmacy or health food store and purchasing homeopathic “x-ray” 30c or homeopathic “Clorox” 30c
- Composite fillings-white tooth colored and biocompatible options
- Crowns – White (non metal), high noble gold, porcelain fused to gold (and other biocompatible options)
- Bridges – White (non metal), high noble gold, porcelain fused to gold (and other biocompatible options)
- Partials – Metal & non-metal removable options – individual biocompatibility considered
- Dentures – High quality Swiss technology and approach
- Root Canals – Medicine Wheel Dental has developed a natural approach to avoid this procedure (when indicated) and keep even previously hopeless teeth alive & vital
- Reconstructive Dentistry (Full mouth rehabilitation) – Unlike any other dental offices, we have developed a unique body/jaw alignment program prior to reconstruction to maximize overall high level body function and alignment. (CST- Description Coming Soon)
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Periodontal
- General Cleanings
Maintenance of health in the presence of normal bone and tissue health. Probe scores checked. The removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from the tooth structures. Use of ultra-sonics, and hand scaling, floss, and polish.
- Periodontal Cleaning
Maintenance of health in the presence of bone loss, (Periodontal disease), the removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from exposed root surface, deep pockets, and all other tooth structures. Probe scores checked. Use of ultra-sonics, and hand scaling, flossing, polishing. - Full Mouth Debridement
The removal of dense deposits of plaque and calculus in order to initiate the health of the patient’s gum and bone health in more difficult cases, and to begin the healing process to any gingivitis (gum infections) or periodontitis (bone disease.) This is a preliminary procedure that does not rule-out the need for additional procedures. Use of ultra-sonics, and hand scaling.- Non-Invasive Perio Treatments
- Arestin; antibiotic local delivery treatments; very limited use
- Subgingival antioxidant solutions
- Scaling Root Planning
The thorough removal of heavy deposits of plaque, and calculus, from deep pockets and root surfaces in order to treat active infections. Includes irrigation of pockets with a super antioxidant solution, and the use of local anesthetic if needed. Nitrous oxide gas is available if patients are apprehensive. - Holistic approaches for treating gum infections/disease
A whole body and health approach to education about gum and bone infections. Working with individual issues and wellness goals, your health is our goal and we are flexible in our approach.- We utilize herbal and nutrient based antibacterial rinses.
- Natural derivative calcium and phosphate alternative to fluoride treatments.
- Nitrous oxide gas and local anesthetics available if patients are apprehensive.
- Digital X-rays
- Supplies are latex and preservative free.
- We also highly recommend the daily use of a Waterpik (oral irrigator) and the Sonicare toothbrush.
Cosmetic
- Veneers/Lumineers
At Medicine Wheel Dental, your cosmetic experience may include veneers, shaping, bonding, caps, and bridges. In addition, to provide you with the greatest and longest lasting smile, we offer a new technology called Lumineers. Lumineers are an excellent cosmetic solution for permanently stained, chipped, discolored, misaligned teeth, or even to revitalize old crown and bridgework. In just two or three visits to Medicine Wheel Dental, we can provide a custom-made smile clinically capable of lasting up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. Lumineers are painless because they do not require anesthetic and little to no removal of tooth structure (unlike traditional veneers). Lumineers represent the best of both worlds – ultra-thin, yet super strong for a radiant, natural smile.
- Bonding
Using permanent strong, white filling materials we can cosmetically add and reshape teeth in a single visit for a less expensive and less permanent chance to “try a new look” or color. While the material is durable, individual mouth chemistry and function may create discoloration and repair over time. - Whitening
Sapphire Professional Whitening allows you to achieve dramatic results quickly. When used with the Sapphire Supreme Light1, the system is proven to whiten smiles up to 7 shades in only 30 minutes. The in office treatment includes a take home whitening system (custom fitting whitening trays provided). - Snap on Smile
Snap on Smile is a non invasive easy solution for a multi-purpose cosmetic/restorative appliance. Snap-on Smile® is a patented, revolutionary dental appliance that requires no prepping, no injections, and no adhesives. Its exclusive design is flexible, incredibly strong, and snaps right over a patient’s natural teeth. Its retention is completely tooth-borne, so the appliance does not impinge on the gum tissue nor cover the palate, making it look and feel very natural. Snap-On Smile is easily removable, completely reversible and is an excellent option for patients looking for a non-invasive, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Snap-On Smile is much more than a beautiful set of white teeth. This revolutionary device is the ideal solution for solving a wide variety of short- and long-term clinical challenges, as it serves as both a non-invasive restorative option as well as a diagnostic appliance. Applications include using Snap-On Smile as aesthetic provisionals for implant restorations, as a vehicle for increasing facial height (vertical dimension), as cosmetic removable partial dentures, and even as a long-term smile enhancement. Snap-On Smile can last for years, is reversible, and yet is affordable enough to be temporary.
Note – The snap on smile is also a perfect cosmetic and functional appliance that can be used in place of the clear/hard acrylic bite repositioning appliance used in the 5-month body/jaw realignment program offered at Medicine Wheel Dental.
Bodywork
- Cranial Sacral Therapy
- Massage
- Osteopathic Treatments
- Acupuncture
- Structural Evaluation
- Exclusive TMJ/Body Alignment Program
- Exclusive/Patented Percussion Table
Diagnostic Tests
- RITA test
This test is done to evaluate galvanism or the “battery effect” created by dissimilar metals in the mouth. With saliva being acid and salty, it is highly conductive in the presence of dissimilar metals. High positive or negative charges are evaluated as they can affect both teeth sensitivity and the “circuits” that each involved tooth relates to in the rest of the body.
- ALT (Root Canal toxicity/Proteins)
This test is a research testing procedure that shows the presence of proteins/toxins found around infected or dead (non vital) teeth. This is a useful tool to evaluate the status of root canal treated teeth.
Note – Remember, nowhere else in Medicine do we leave a dead part in the body except in dentistry-root canal treated teeth.
- Dental Materials Reactivity Testing (Clifford Test – Referred)
Note – As Medicine Wheel Dental has been working with this test and biocompatibly issues for over 30 years, the materials that we have available satisfy the compatibility needs of over 95% of our general client population. However those with extreme health challenges, environmental sensitivies, or immune system challenged profiles are encouraged to consider this option.A Dental Materials Reactivity Test is performed by a special laboratory to determine which materials your system will be most biocompatible with. Testing over 1,500 different dental materials, this test considers metals as well as composites, cements, and other dental materials which can often cause acute or sub-clinical immunological reactions.
First, blood is drawn, and the serum which contains the white cells – and hence the person’s antibodies – are separated. Antibodies are those complexes formed in response to something foreign when the first line of defense has been breached and a more systemic response is required. Placing the serum in a small well which contains a minute amount of a dental material component which either will cause an agglutination reaction or no reaction. A reaction indicates that antibodies to the material are present. This means the person’s immune system has been sensitized to the particular material and any further encounter with that material may lead to autoimmune reactions or a whole host of reaction symptoms, as seen with mercury toxicity. The challenge of serum against over 150 components of dental materials is done. All positive responses are fed into a computer, and cross-checked against the ingredients in most brand-name products. The ensuing printout will indicate by manufacturer’s name what materials are immunologically reactive and are to be avoided, as well as those which may be used. The report also provides a general list of offensive materials that the patient should avoid in other arenas beside dental.
- Cavitation Evaluation-cone beam x-ray (Referred)
This new state of the art technology can help to diagnose areas of “dead bone” or “cavitations” which have often gone unnoticed or undetected yet creating a very negative impact on the mouth and body system - Heavy Metal Testing (Referred)
This is a blood test that helps to determine the bio-burden of toxic heavy metals levels. This is the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of mercury removal protocols. - Tooth vitality testing
Aside from temperature and percussive tests, we can use electro pulp testing to determine weather or not a tooth is alive (vital).
TMJ/TMD
Please contact Medicine Wheel Dental for our unique approach to TMJ Therapy.