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Other common
name(s): holistic dentistry
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Biological dentistry is the removal of dental fillings or
teeth claimed to contain toxins, which are said to cause systemic
diseases or pain.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
removing healthy teeth or amalgam fillings can prevent cancer or any
other disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) has twice declared
that the unnecessary removal of silver amalgam is improper and
unethical.
How is it promoted for use?
Practitioners of biological dentistry claim that the mercury
in ordinary fillings can escape, travel to distant organs, and
contribute to the development of diseases, including cancer. They claim
replacing metal fillings with synthetic, nontoxic compounds will
eliminate toxins from the body and increase resistance to disease.
Some biological dentists also claim that decaying teeth
produce a chemical called dimethyl sulfide, which can cause cancer and
other illnesses. They further state that there can be infected cavities
within jawbones that are not detectable by x-ray and that must be
scraped out even though there is no visible evidence that the teeth are
infected or diseased in any way.. They call this condition is called
"cavitational osteopathosis."
Some practitioners claim that each tooth is related to a
corresponding organ in the body. Because of this, an unhealthy,
misaligned, or filled tooth (which may contain mercury) disturbs the
flow of vital energy or life force called qi (or ch'i) that flows
freely through a healthy person. By removing the tooth or filling, or
realigning the jaw, practitioners claim they can stop the production of
toxins from the mouth and restore the proper flow of energy, resulting
in improved health. Some biological dentists say that root canal
procedures increase the risk of disease in other parts of the body.
Several Web sites promoting or supporting biological dentistry
claim that patients with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome,
allergies, and thyroid problems improve after their mercury-containing
fillings are removed. A Swiss physician claimed that 90% breast cancer
patients he treated had dental problems that may have contributed to
formation of the disease.
What does it involve?
Biological dentistry involves the removal and replacement of
mercury-containing dental fillings with synthetic substitutes.
Practitioners approach their patients holistically, meaning they
consider the entire body rather than just the illness or diseased area.
A biological dentist may also prescribe other remedies or diets,
claiming that they can detoxify the body and strengthen the immune
system. Biological dentistry can also involve oral acupuncture,
surgical scraping, chelation therapy, neural therapy, laser therapy,
and "mouth balancing," which is an attempt to improve structural
deformities in the mouth and jaw (see Chelation Therapy
and Neural Therapy).
What is the history behind it?
Dentists have used silver amalgam, which contains about 50%
mercury, to fill cavities for more than 160 years. A German physician,
Dr. Josef Issels, was among the first to state that toxins from dental
fillings could harm a person's overall health, and that root canal
procedures posed the threat of infection to various organ systems. Dr.
Issels also claimed there was a connection between the growth of tumors
and the presence of dental toxins. He stated that 98% of his adult
patients with cancer had from 2 to 10 teeth that had undergone root
canal procedures. Such teeth, he believed, must be removed in order to
decrease the level of toxicity in the body.
In 1999, a practitioner who removed fillings containing
mercury was placed on probation by his state's Board of Dental
Examiners for 5 years. They ruled on the basis of extensive complaints
from patients who claimed their health and safety had been compromised.
A few years earlier, a group of patients filed a lawsuit against
several practitioners of biological dentistry, claiming that perfectly
healthy teeth had been removed without any improvement in health.
What is the evidence?
Typical dental fillings contain metals such as mercury,
copper, and silver, but there is no solid evidence showing that the
presence of these metals in teeth causes disease in other parts of the
body. The clinical studies that have been published in peer-reviewed
conventional medical journals found no link between mercury-containing
fillings and the development of cancer and other diseases. The amount
of mercury absorbed by the body from amalgams is so small it is
considered harmless. A study of US dentists found that dentists
themselves have higher mercury levels in their bodies than patients
with mercury-containing fillings, because of daily exposure at work.
However, the dentists showed the same disease patterns as everyone else
and actually outlived non-dentists by about 3 years. A 1998 study
concluded "there was no clear evidence that dental radiography (x-rays)
or amalgam fillings are related to the development of tumors of the
central nervous system." Another study found there was no connection
between amalgam fillings, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or
early death.
In 1987, the American Dental Association declared that
removing perfectly good fillings (even if they contained mercury) is
unethical, and this position was reaffirmed in 2002. They stated that
the use of dental amalgam was reviewed and found to be safe. National
Institutes of Health experts also concluded there was no evidence to
support the idea that dental fillings caused serious health problems.
The US Food and Drug Administration has conducted long-term
investigations into amalgam safety and continues to conclude that it is
safe. In 2006, an independent panel generally agreed that there is no
evidence that dental amalgams cause health problems in most people.
However, the panel did have concerns about the lack of knowledge about
possible effects of dental amalgam on people who are very sensitive to
mercury, such as pregnant women and small children. Some dentists
prefer to use other types of filling materials for pregnant women and
small children because of concern over the slight possibility of harm
during periods of rapid growth.
Some people do, however, have metal allergies that can lead to
problems in the mouth if they have metal fillings. In a few people,
certain kinds of mouth sores or spots, called contact lesions or oral
lichen planus will develop. These are linked to direct contact with
metal fillings. One study found that replacing the fillings that were
touching the lesions helped most of them to heal. Some people respond
similarly to metals in dentures and bridgework.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Most dentists and other health experts believe the removal of
healthy teeth or fillings is improper and unethical and should be
avoided. Removal of teeth that show no infection or abnormality usually
results in restricted food choices and poorer nutrition, even if the
teeth are replaced with bridges or dentures.
Relying on this treatment alone and avoiding or delaying
conventional medical care for cancer, may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Dental amalgam: update on
safety concerns. J Am
Dent Assoc. 1998;129:494-503.
Ahlqwist M, Bengtsson C, Lapidus L. Number of amalgam fillings
in relation to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and early death
in Swedish women. Community
Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1993;21:40-44.
Bratel J, Hakeberg M, Jontell M. Effect of replacement of
dental amalgam on oral lichenoid reactions. J Dent.
1996;24:41-45.
Dodes JE, Barrett S. Cavitational osteopathosis, NICO, and
"biological dentistry." Accessed at: http://www.quackwatch.org on May
30, 2008.
Issa Y, Brunton PA, Glenny AM, Duxbury AJ. Healing of oral
lichenoid lesions after replacing amalgam restorations: a systematic
review. Oral Surg Oral
Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004 Nov;98:553-565.
McComb D. Occupational exposure to mercury in dentistry and
dentist mortality. J
Can Dent Assoc. 1997;63:372-376.
National Institutes of Health. Technology Assessment
Conference. Effects and Side Effects of Dental Restorative Materials.
Bethesda, Md: National Library of Medicine;1991.
Rodvall Y, Ahlbom A, Pershagen G, Nylander M, Spannare B.
Dental radiography after 25 years, amalgam fillings and tumours of the
central nervous system. Oral
Oncol. 1998;34:265-269.
Trans-agency Working Group on the Health Effects of Dental
Amalgam. Review and analysis of the literature on the health effects of
dental amalgams, Final Report. Executive Summary. Accessed at:
http://www.lsro.org/amalgam/frames_amalgam_report.html on June 4, 2008.
US Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers on
Dental Amalgams. Center for Devices and Radiologic Health. Updated
10/31/06. Accessed at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html
on June 3, 2008.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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