Posts Tagged ‘Cosmetic Dentistry 33176’

Watch Out! Heavy Metal Toxins Are Everywhere

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

watch-out-heavy-metal-toxins-are-everywhereHeavy metals accumulate in our bodies whether we are aware of it or not.  Sometimes the metals come from the foods we eat.  Other times, we inhale metallic vapors from our environment.  These heavy metals, no matter how they enter are body, are toxic and must be removed continually to maintain natural vitality and holistic health.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

No matter how healthily we try to live, we will always be exposed to dangerous toxins simply because they surround us.  Each day, we come in contact with several different materials that contain poisonous amounts of heavy metals that, when accumulated, may cause serious health problems.  These materials may be found in consumer goods, food products, and even dental work.

Heavy Metal Poisoning Through Paint

Things like model paint are not meant to be consumed and may contain high levels of heavy metals.  The most common heavy metal found in paints is lead.  Symptoms of accidental ingestion of this toxin include abdominal pain, convulsions, hypertension, renal dysfunction, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleeplessness, hallucinations, headache, numbness, arthritis, and vertigo (i).  These symptoms are common to chronic consumption; individuals who work in production or other processes involving raw painting materials and who experience any of these symptoms should consult a physician immediately.

Fish and Mercury Poisoning

Tuna is known to contain mild amounts of mercury.  However, this mercury accumulates in the human body over time.  Even low and infrequent consumption of tuna can lead to the retention of mass amounts of mercury over time.

Mercury Content of Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam dental fillings are know to be made of 50-60% mercury, depending on the size of the cavity that is being filled.  Over time, individuals with silver amalgam fillings have traces of mercury in their saliva that is 10 times greater than individuals who have no silver fillings (ii).  This shows that amalgam fillings are likely to be the source of extremely toxic levels of mercury for individuals with traditional silver fillings.

If you desire a long and healthy life, you must limit your exposure to sources of  heavy metal toxicity.  Toxic metals lie hidden in paints, common foods, and even dental amalgams.  Safe removal of amalgam fillings will eliminate the strongest source of heavy metal toxicity for individuals with silver fillings.

Complementary efforts include being aware of lead-bearing paints and limiting consumption of foods high in mercury content, like tuna.  Contact Assure a Smile for more information on silver fillings, detoxification methods, and replacing silver fillings with white composite fillings.



(i) http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-156a.shtml#symp

(ii) Doctors Data Inc.; Fecal Elements Test; P.O.Box 111, West  Chicago, Illinois, 60186-0111;   http://www.doctorsdata.com/repository.asp?id=43  ; & Biospectron Lab, LMI, Lennart Mansson International AB, lmi.analyslab@swipnet.se; http://home.swipnet.se/misac/research11.html#biospectrons

Heavy Metal Toxicity and Dental Fillings

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

heavy-metal-toxicity-and-dental-fillingsAmalgam fillings have been identified as the greatest source of toxic metal in humans by the World Health Organization (i).  In fact, the World Health Organization has stated that no other source on the planet contributes more towards metal toxicity in people than amalgam fillings.  Staying aware of heavy metal toxicity dangers is the first step in achieving long-term holistic health.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

The dangers associated with silver amalgam fillings are to be taken seriously, despite the American Dental Association’s assertion that dental amalgams are all right.  Looking beyond American associations, physicians from across the world maintain that dental amalgams contain extremely high concentrations of mercury, the most dangerous metal known to man.  The largest of these organizations has been the World Health Organization.  Moreover, physicians have begun to suggest that the introduction of mercury-rich dental amalgams in the 1940s has been the biggest contributor to the increases in mental diseases like Autism we see today (ii).

Heavy Metal Toxicity:  Classification and Symptoms

Heavy metal exposure ranges in classification from acute to chronic.  Chronic exposure consists of continual heavy metal exposure for more than 365 days (iii).  Since patients with silver amalgam fillings are continually exposed to mercury vapor over the lives of their fillings, their infection is typically considered chronic.

Chronic mercury exposure may be identified in several ways.  First, heavy mercury exposure commonly leads to central nervous system damage and kidney infection (iv).  Individuals with mercury poisoning will also exhibit traces of the heavy metal in their blood, amniotic fluid, or urine.  Further, expecting mothers with amalgam fillings must consider that mercury can flow into the fetus by way of the placenta and infect their developing unborn child.

At Assure a Smile, heavy metal toxicity is an issue that is not taken lightly.  Our team believes that silver amalgam fillings are hazardous and should be replaced using safe mercury filling removal methods.  For more information, contact Assure a Smile to learn about mercury detoxification and treatment methods.


(i) http://www.dental–health.com/amalgam_fillings_mercury.html

(ii) http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-156a.shtml#symp

(iii) see (ii) above.

(iv) see (ii) above.

How Dental Amalgam Poisons the Body

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

how-dental-amalgam-poisons-the-bodyAssure a Smile has compiled the latest research that illustrates how mercury from silver amalgam fillings is absorbed into the body, and why it is important to replace silver fillings with white composite fillings.  This research indicates that mercury is unstable, vaporizes at room temperature, and accumulates within the body to cause severe damage.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Our Miami Dentistry blog has recently covered the toxic affects of silver amalgam fillings, suggesting that these fillings be removed and replaced.  Now, we will examine precisely how mercury vapor from dental amalgams gets absorbed into the body.

Dental Amalgam and Mercury Exposure

Mercury is naturally in a gaseous state at room temperature; mercury in the dental amalgam in teeth likewise vaporizes slowly due to the warmth of the oral cavity.  Once dispersed into the oral cavity, mercury vapor mixes with saliva and becomes easily transported through the mucous membranes of the mouth, into the blood stream, and is trafficked throughout the body (i).  In this way, individuals with silver fillings receive more exposure to mercury from those fillings than from any other source combined (ii).

Measuring Mercury Poisoning

The easiest way to understand mercury poisoning is to contrast individuals with several dental amalgam fillings with individuals who have none.  Doctors Data Incorporated of Chicago, Illinois, measured the saliva of subjects who had silver amalgam fillings and compared it to subjects who had no amalgam fillings.  Their research indicated that patients with silver amalgam fillings had an astonishing 10 times more mercury in their saliva than did patients who had no silver amalgam fillings (iii).

As research begins to mount, holistic dentists will continue to urge patients to consider safe amalgam filling removal procedures to extract this poisonous material from their mouths.  Replacing silver amalgam fillings with white composite fillings is by far the most effective way to greatly reduce mercury exposure.


(i) The battery in your mouth: oral galvanic currents and metals in the mouth, and interactions with EMF, www.flcv.com/galv.html

(ii) Mark Richardson, Assessment of Mercury Exposure and Risks from Dental Amalgam, 1995, Final Report.

(iii) Doctors Data Inc.; Fecal Elements Test; P.O.Box 111, West  Chicago, Illinois, 60186-0111;   http://www.doctorsdata.com/repository.asp?id=43  ; & Biospectron Lab, LMI, Lennart Mansson International AB, lmi.analyslab@swipnet.se; http://home.swipnet.se/misac/research11.html#biospectrons

Amalgam Filling Removal for Expecting Mothers

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

amalgam-filling-removal-for-expecting-mothersHigh-content mercury fillings pose serious health risks, especially for pregnant or nursing mothers.  Because mercury travels rapidly through the body, mothers can easily pass the poisonous chemical on to their children, often times without even knowing it.

Comments by Dr. Ted. Herrmann:

As a holistic dental professional, I am concerned with not only the mouths of my patients, but also with the wellness of their bodies overall.  Particularly alarming to me is the abundance of silver in the mouths of traditional dental patients.  This topic has been explored in great detail through our Miami Holistic Dentistry blog as research on the serious health risks that mercury-rich dental amalgams cause in patients.

Of particular concern are the health risks mercury fillings pose for expecting mothers and nursing mothers.  As parents, we strive to protect our children and raise them in the healthiest environments possible.  This takes on new meaning for mothers with silver fillings because it means giving serious thought towards having those fillings removed to limit mercury exposure for both themselves and their baby.

Moms, Babies, and Dental Amalgam

Mercury from silver dental amalgams quickly circulates through the body for several reasons.  First, when mercury vapor from silver fillings combines with the saliva in the mouth, it creates a galvanic substance that is passed through the mucous membranes in the oral cavity and directly into the bloodstream (i).  As this toxin circulates through the bloodstream it is pumped throughout the body of the mother as well as the fetus (ii).  Research further suggests that a mother’s amalgam fillings are the largest contributor of mercury to unborn babies (iii).

This is of significance because mercury is the most toxic metal we know.  Further, mercury poisoning has been linked with Autoimmune Disease as well as many other serious health conditions.  Safe removal of dental amalgam is the best way to reduce your mercury exposure.  Once removed, dental work can be easily reconstructed with white composite fillings that contain no mercury whatsoever.


(i) The battery in your mouth: oral galvanic currents and metals in the mouth, and interactions with EMF, www.flcv.com/galv.html

(ii) G.Drasch et al, “Mercury Burden of Human Fetal and Infant Tissues”, Eur J Pediatr 153:607-610,1994

(iii) see above.

Invisalign Clear Braces 101

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

invisalign-clear-braces-101Is it possible to create a straighter, cleaner smile without having to cement permanent metal brackets in your mouth?  Yes, it certainly is possible!  With Invisalign clear braces, you can slowly build the smile of your dreams without wearing conspicuous and agitating metal braces.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Miami dentists know that physical appearance is very important for our patients.  At Assure a Smile, we believe that your smile often makes your first impression for you.  Individuals with straight and healthy teeth are confident with their smile, and it shows.  Many desire a beautiful smile that exudes confidence, however, are slow to commit to having metal braces cemented into their mouths for months at a time.

Invisalign Clear Braces

Invisalign clear braces are a comfortable and subtle solution for patients who want to straighten their teeth but do not want traditional metal braces.  The Invisalign treatment plan works as follows:

  1. Schedule a consultation with a Miami Invisalign provider
  2. Upon deciding to move forward with the treatment plan, your local Miami dentist will take simple molds of your teeth, called impressions
  3. Your impressions will be sent to Invisalign and a series of custom aligners will be created, tailored specifically for your smile
  4. Invisalign aligners are clear and removable mouth pieces that fit snugly around your upper and lower teeth
  5. These aligners are specially designed to shift the alignment of your teeth little by little over the course of your treatment plan
  6. Every couple of weeks, you will be sent a new set of aligners that will continue to shift the alignment of your teeth

As your custom designed Invisalign treatment plan comes to an end, your teeth will have gradually been realigned to create the straight and beautiful smile of your dreams.  Miami Invisalign dentists have helped many local patients see wonderful results with clear braces.  If you have considered correcting your smile for either cosmetic or hygienic purposes, contact the Miami dental professionals at Assure a Smile to learn more about Invisalign braces.

Miami Dentist Compares Invisalign vs. Metal Braces

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

miami-dentist-compares-invisalign-vs-metal-braces
Invisalign has become one of the biggest names in orthodontic treatments.  Invisalign clear braces offer a discrete way for individuals to achieve the beautiful smile they have always desired.  However, this progressive new treatment has many dental patients wondering:  should I try Invisalign, or should I go with traditional metal braces?

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann DMD:

The Invisalign vs metal braces debate has persisted ever since Invisalign first introduced their removable braces technology.  Each treatment plan is highly effective in building a beautiful smile.  However, there are a couple advantages to the Invisalign clear braces system that patients who seek orthodontic treatment must consider.

Invisalign Clear Braces are Discrete

Often times, the biggest factor stopping a patient from choosing an orthodontic plan is fear of embarrassment.  Traditional metal braces sometimes detract from a person’s natural smile, forcing others to focus on the braces rather than the person.  This fear is particularly strong in adults, perhaps because metal braces are usually associated with teenagers.  However, Invisalign clear braces are transparent.  It is very difficult to notice when someone is wearing Invisalign aligners, adding an element of discretion to the procedure that gives patients confidence.

Removable Braces Promote Good Oral Hygiene

Metal braces are cemented to the faces of each tooth, creating a semi-permanent addition to a person’s mouth.  The person must go to great lengths to brush and floss around individual metal brackets to ensure food particles do not promote bacteria infestation and decay.  Miami Invisalign patients, on the other hand, can remove their Invisalign aligners each time they brush and floss their teeth.  As a result, patients who use Invisalign removable braces are able to brush and floss their teeth normally, reducing the chances of tooth decay and gum infection.

Invisalign Miami:  Dentists and Practices

Assure a Smile excitedly offers patients the Invisalign invisible braces system to straighten teeth and build a healthier smile.  Miami Invisalign patients enjoy a discreet, removable solution to creating the smile of their dreams quickly and comfortably.  For more information, schedule an appointment with your local Miami dentist to learn more about Invisalign treatment plans built just for you.

Invisalign in Miami: Clear Braces and Happy Faces

Friday, September 10th, 2010

invisalign-in-miami-clear-braces-and-happy-faceAt Assure a Smile, we believe your smile speaks volumes about yourself, even before you say a word.  Our practice is proud to offer Invisalign clear braces, a teeth straightening solution made just for you.


Comments by Dr. Tedd Herrmann:

Yes, a straight smile can make you self confident and happy.  More importantly, however, straight smiles are healthier smiles.  A straight and properly aligned smile has smaller gaps between each tooth, leaving less room for food particles and bacteria to collect.  As a result, it is much easier to keep your teeth and gums healthy with properly aligned teeth.


Invisalign Clear Braces

Invisalign clear braces are tailor made, comfortable, removable, and highly effective.  For all of these reasons, patients prefer Invisalign braces over traditional metal braces.

The process is very easy and delivers results designed just for you.  First, you must seek a dentist or orthodontist who specializes in issuing Invisalign braces.  For instance, we have patients approach Assure a Smile with questions about Invisalign price, process, and results.  We are always happy to address these concerns and often help patients choose a treatment plan that is right for them.

Next, your dental professional will have a set of impressions taken of your teeth.  This is a painless process that creates exact replicas of your top and bottom rows of teeth.

Your impressions are then shipped to Invisalign and a series of custom mouth trays called aligners are created to gradually shift your teeth into place.  Each aligner is designed to shift your teeth very slightly over a 10 to 14 day time period, at which point you receive a new set of aligners to continue the shifting process.

Assure a Smile offers the Invisalign clear braces system as an option for patients who want a hassle free, minimally invasive solution for straighter teeth.  As a Miami holistic dentistry practice we feel that straighter teeth mean healthier teeth, not just a pretty smile.

Choose White Composite Fillings For a Healthy Immune System

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

choose-white-composite-fillings-for-a-healthy-immune-systemTraditional silver amalgam fillings may contain as much mercury as a thermometer.  Many Americans still have silver fillings despite international recognition of the health risks associated with them.  Simply removing silver fillings and replacing them with white composite fillings can improve long term health, especially for the immune system.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

The dangers posed by mercury fillings are particularly frightening because they are systematic.  In medicine, this classification simply means that the symptoms of mercury poisoning are not specific to a certain body system or to the organ that is infected.  Rather, the symptoms of a single infection may manifest themselves through other body systems that may not have been infected originally.  In this way, mercury poisoning affects the entire human body and is a great concern for holistic dentists.

Methyl Mercury Infection

First, let us review how mercury enters the body.

Silver fillings are among the largest contributors of mercury to the human body (i).  Silver fillings are made of dental amalgam, a mixture of several metals including tin and mercury.  These amalgams are exposed to a large degree of warmth and pressure over time.  Eventually, the mercury content of the amalgam is vaporized, creating an odorless gas that is continually inhaled and absorbed through the lungs.  After being introduced into the bloodstream, the mercury vapor is metabolized and turns into methyl mercury.

Methyl Mercury and Your Immune System

Once mercury vapor is metabolized into methyl mercury, the bloodstream carries the toxin throughout the circulatory system and to each of the thousands upon thousands of cells in the body.  When mercury interacts with other bodily cells, it adversely affects their respiration process (ii).  As a result, cells lose their functionality.

When immune system cells lose their functionality, the body becomes susceptible to other infections.  In this way, the affect of mercury on the immune system is perhaps the most detrimental of side effects one can experience.  Once immune system cells are infected and become dysfunctional, the body is an easy target for a mass of other dangerous bacterium and diseases.

The professionals at Assure a Smile believe that no amount of mercury is safe and urge patients to limit exposure as much as possible.  As Miami dentists, we understand this means not only replacing silver fillings with white composite fillings, but also monitoring other sources of mercury including common South Florida food items like tuna and shellfish.

(i) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/dangers_of_toxic_metals.htm

(ii) http://tuberose.com/Mercury_and_the_Heart.html