Holistic Dentist Archives - 5 Star Dental Group

Can I Get a Broken Tooth Repaired While Pregnant?

Posted on September 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My left top premolar just broke in half. I am 5 months pregnant. Can I get an X-ray and the tooth fixed, or must I wait until after the delivery? BTW, I am having some tooth pain. I don’t want any metal crowns, though. Thanks. Myra

Myra – You can have emergency dental treatment during pregnancy. You are not yet in your third trimester, so you shouldn’t experience too much discomfort. Prolonged time lying on your back should be avoided during the third trimester.

Can You Get a Broken Tooth Repaired While Pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should continue with routine dental care, including X-rays, ensuring their abdomen and thyroid are protected. If dental concerns require root canal treatment, extractions, or restoration, getting the treatment prevents more complex problems from arising.

Holistic dentistry includes all-ceramic crowns

A broken tooth must be treated to avoid infection, which can spread into your jawbone and bloodstream in severe cases. The same applies to an infected or abscessed tooth; it must be treated to prevent the infection from spreading. As little local anesthetic as possible should be administered, but you don’t want the pain from having far too little anesthetic to put stress on you or the baby.

Preventive dental care during pregnancy should not be neglected. Preventive care can protect your teeth from decay, which may result in a dental emergency, and periodontal (gum) disease linked to premature birth.

Notify your obstetrician of the dental emergency, and ensure your dentist has a current list of your medication. Ask your dentist for holistic treatment options.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

Why Are My New Porcelain Veneers Staining?

Posted on July 3, 2023 by AllSmiles.

If porcelain veneers are stain resistant, why are there stains around mine? I got the veneers in October 2021 and will finish paying for them this year. They will be yellow before I finish my payments. I wonder if the problem is from some chemicals the dentist used on the veneers. I should have followed my instinct and looked for a holistic dentist. What can my dentist do to stop the staining? Please don’t say that I will need new veneers. Thank you. – Luz

Luz

Yes, intact porcelain veneers are stain resistant. A cosmetic dentist would need to examine your veneers or see pictures of them to determine what may be causing the stains. But we can explain a few possibilities.

Three Reasons that Porcelain Veneers Might Stain

Porcelain veneers may stain if there is damage to the glazed surface if there is a gap where the veneer and tooth meet, or if there is excess composite bonding around near your gumline. These are mistakes that even a holistic dentist can make if they don’t have advanced cosmetic dentistry training:

Damage to the glazed surface – Power polishing equipment or acidulated fluoride can damage your veneers. If a dental hygienist mistakenly used either on your tooth and damaged the laze, you can see stains across the surface of your porcelain veneers.
Gap between the porcelain and your teeth – If a dentist left a gap between the porcelain and your teeth, bacteria could leak in and stain your teeth.
Excess composite bonding – If a dentist does not thoroughly clean the composite around your teeth, it can cause staining.

How to Remove Stains from Your New Veneers

If you have porcelain veneers, a skilled cosmetic dentist can polish your veneers. For regular polishing, a hygienist can use ultra-fine polishing strips and paste to remove plaque and keep your veneers smooth and stain resistant.
Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your veneers. You may want to schedule a second opinion skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers and determine why they are staining. Then you can determine if you want your current dentist to polish them or if you want to find another provider.
San Antonio, TX, dentist Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

What Will a Holistic Dentist Do for Old Tooth Fillings?

Posted on February 24, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I have four old tooth fillings that I want to be replaced by a holistic dentist. In 202, a GYN oncologist diagnosed me with cancer, and since that time, I have been even more careful about my health choices. I found a holistic dentist within a reasonable driving distance, but she doesn’t accept dental insurance. What will the dentist do for old tooth fillings? Does the fact that she does not take insurance mean that she charges more than usual? – Jessica

Jessica – Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group in San Antonio.

What Will a Holistic Dentist Do for Old Tooth Fillings?

A holistic dentist will replace old tooth fillings with composite fillings. If your existing fillings are amalgam (silver), the dentist will remove them with the following steps:

Isolate each tooth that requires treatment
Break the fillings into chunks to minimize your exposure to mercury
Sanitize your mouth
Replace the fillings with a dental composite

What Are Composite Teeth Fillings?

Before and after pictures of composite fillings, available from Dr. Tostado of San Antonio

Holistic dentist use white composite fillings

Composite teeth fillings are a mixture of quartz or glass with dental resin. The fillings are biocompatible. Your dentist will select a composite shade that matches your natural teeth. Dental composite strengthens tooth structure.

How Much Do Composite Fillings Cost from a Holistic Dentist?

A holistic dentist’s fees for composite fillings depend on the condition of your teeth and the extent of decay that requires removal and replacement with composite. You may contact the dental office again to ask about their holistic dentistry fees. The dental office may offer payment plans for treatment. Also, contact your dental insurance company to determine how much you may be reimbursed for treatment and estimate your out-of-pocket costs.

If you cannot find a dentist who advertises holistic care, look for an advanced cosmetic dentist that only offers mercury-free fillings. You can ask about their procedure for sanitary amalgam removal or how they minimize your mercury exposure.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

I Switched to a Holistic Dentist, and Now I Have Cavities

Posted on December 15, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I don’t understand it. I had the same dentist for 12 years until I moved to Albany two years ago. The first dentist I chose relocated, and I’ve had my new dentist for more than a year. She is a holistic dentist, and I like her a lot, but I’ve had three cavities in one year since seeing her. I haven’t had a cavity since I was a teenager. I’ve only had two dental cleanings at this practice. I have not changed my oral hygiene habits, so that’s not the problem.

The dentist says something else may be contributing to the cavities, and she asked me about any new medication that may be drying my mouth. I’ve been taking Ditropan for two years for an overactive bladder, and the dentist said that could be the problem. Can I trust this dentist? Could dry mouth cause cavities that quickly? And why? Thank you. Idara

Idara,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña would need to examine your teeth and review your medical, dental, and prescription histories for an accurate diagnosis. It is unlikely that your cavities are associated with your holistic dentist. Still, we will explain how dry mouth can cause cavities.

Why Can Dry Mouth Cause Cavities?

A dry mouth can cause cavities because saliva washes away food debris and prevents it from eroding tooth enamel. Saliva also neutralizes the acid in your mouth that can damage tooth enamel. If your mouth is consistently dry, your teeth can demineralize quickly, and cavities can develop.

How Does Medication Affect Dry Mouth?

Some medications affect the salivary gland and decrease production. When that happens, biofilm, acid, and bacteria cause tooth decay.

How Can You Treat Dry Mouth?

You can treat dry mouth with the following precautions:

Drink plenty of water during the day. Keep a water bottle with you to sip water throughout the day. You can even rinse your mouth with water several times daily to wash debris away from your teeth.
Limit acidic drinks. Sodas, coffee, and some teas are acidic and increase the risk of tooth erosion.
Ask your dentist for help. Your dentist can recommend a saliva substitute or lubricating mouthwash to protect your oral tissue and teeth.
Monitor nighttime oral habits. If you snore or breathe through your mouth at night, it will increase dryness. If you have nighttime habits that can dry out your mouth, talk to your dentist about a dental appliance that minimizes the habits.

What About Your Cavities?

Get health tooth restorations from a dentist who practices holistic or bioimimetic dentistry

If you have developed cavities from dry mouth, please do not leave them untreated. The decay will only spread and make treatment more challenging and costly. Your dentist will explain biomimetic treatment methods that preserve your healthy tooth structure after removing the decay.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

How Can I Get Silver Fillings Removed Without Any Side Effects?

Posted on November 26, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I want the silver fillings out of my mouth because of the mercury in them, but I want to avoid side effects. I have a cousin who is very health conscious. She says that I shouldn’t let my regular dentist take the fillings out and that I should go to a biological or holistic dentist (is there a difference?) instead. Would a holistic dentist remove fillings differently than a regular dentist would? I don’t want to go to a dentist who charges more for a fancy name and a “special process” that I cannot afford. Thanks. Journey from Hempstead, NY

Journey,

Thank you for your question.

How Can You Get Silver Fillings Removed Without Any Side Effects?

Silver fillings in lower teeth - for info on removing fillings without side effects

Consult with a holistic dentist to replace amalgam (silver) fillings

You can get silver (amalgam) fillings removed without any side effects by visiting a dentist who practices sanitary amalgam removal. Although holistic or biological dentists practice sanitary amalgam (silver fillings) removal, each dentist’s procedure may vary. Some general dentists that do not advertise as holistic dentists still use a process that minimizes mercury exposure while removing amalgam fillings.

In general, you can expect the following steps:

Rinse your mouth with a solution that binds to the mercury
Isolate the affected teeth with a rubber dam to prevent amalgam particles from floating around in your mouth
Give you pure oxygen to breathe while extracting the silver fillings
Divide the amalgam fillings into pieces for easier removal
Use a high-speed oral vacuum to remove the bits of amalgam
Rinse your mouth clean with a mercury-binding solution that removes residue from your mouth
Prepare your teeth for composite fillings

How Long Does Sanitary Amalgam Removal Take?

Sanitary amalgam removal takes less than a minute per tooth. You will spend most of your time in the dental chair while the dentist prepares your teeth for composite fillings, places them, and light-cures them. Switching from amalgam to composite fillings can take 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of teeth affected.

Schedule a Consultation

You can schedule consultations with one or two cosmetic dentists who practice holistic dentistry or sanitary amalgam removal. Each dentist will provide details on how they safely remove the fillings while minimizing your exposure to amalgam particles.

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

My Dentist Replaced Crowns and Fillings and Can’t Fix My Bite

Posted on May 11, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My dentist replaced a fused-to-metal crown with a ceramic one. She also replaced silver fillings with white ones. I have had the same dentist for five years with no problems. I chose her because she is the only holistic dentist within 75 miles of my home, and I work from home. My dentist used CAD/CAM technology to make my crown and cemented it without checking my bite. Unfortunately, my bite was off, so she sanded the crown and asked me to let her know how it felt in a few days.

I returned to the office the next week with no improvement, so my dentist sanded the tooth in front of the crown, as well as two front teeth. A dental assistant helped the dentist and did some of the work while my dentist saw other patients. My bite was still off, so my dentist said I needed to see an orthodontist. None of these problems existed before my dentist replaced the crowns and fillings.

Last week, I got a second opinion, and the dentist said the crown is too high and too small. He would need to replace the crown and build up the teeth that my dentist and assistant sanded down. The dentist also mentioned that Invisalign might help.

Now, I neither trust my dentist nor the dentist who gave me the second opinion because I am unsure whether he sees me as an opportunity to get money. I would rather get a temporary crown and take time to think this through, but who do I trust for that? – Thank you. Jazmin T.

Jazmin,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Tostado’s office and sharing your experience. We are sorry that you have experienced so many disappointments while getting metal-free and mercury-free solutions to preserve your teeth.

Should You Switch from a Holistic Dentist?

You can consider switching from a holistic dentist if your dentist cannot restore your teeth correctly. Many dentists who do not advertise as holistic respect patients’ rights and needs for mercury-free or metal-free options. They are also alert to chemical sensitivities and other factors that can affect the quality of your care.

Your dentist violated the standard of care by giving you faulty tooth restorations and damaging your natural teeth while adjusting your bite. You have grounds for contacting the state dental board and an attorney.

Does CAD/CAM Technology Produce Faulty Crowns?

Ceramic crown as an example of what holistic dentists use

Look for a trained cosmetic dentist who offers holistic or biocompatible options

Many dentists use CAD/CAM technology and complete dental crowns successfully. Digital impressions have greater accuracy than physical impressions. But building a high-quality crown requires a trained, skilled dentist to direct the equipment. And a dentist must understand how to adjust your bite before cementing a crown.

How Can You Find a New Dentist?

You can find a new dentist by looking for one or two highly skilled dentists sensitive to patients’ requests for biocompatible dental materials and advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry training. Schedule a consultation with each dentist to discuss your treatment options. The dentist may be willing to explain what you must do to get a refund or compensation from your previous dentist.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Metals in Dental Crowns

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I prefer natural medicine and am in need of a dental crown. Because of my thyroid issues, I do not want any lithium, metals, or metal ions in any of my dental work. I like the look of ceramic crowns and wondered if they would fit the bill for me.

Caolyn

Dear Carolyn,

A porcelain crown being placed on a tooth

Ceramic crowns are metal free, However, the metal ions are another issue altogether. There are metal ions in all ceramics. That being said, I want you to understand that metal or metal ions in themselves are not harmful. For instance, you have metal in your bloodstream at all times, with iron. Some metal ions are necessary for your health. Some of these are calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and cobalt. There are others.

The type of dental crown you want to avoid are those with a metal base. Any all-porcelain or ceramic crown will be perfectly safe and even beautiful when done by the right dentist as long as they don’t have that metal base I mentioned.

When you have a metal based dental crown, the results are usually more opaque than you would want them to be for a beautiful result. In addition, they all end up with a gray line at your gumline.

One thing I would look for in your place is a holistic dentist. They are much more willing to work around a patient’s preferences and almost all of them are metal free as a matter of course.

I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

I Swallowed My Porcelain Crown Pieces

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I recently had a new porcelain crown placed. The dentist needed to do some grinding in order to get it all the right shape and size for my mouth. When she did that, I kept swallowing the porcelain powder. They never even irrigated out my mouth with water. I’m worried because I think that is glass, right? Will this harm me?

Evie

Dear Evie,

A porcelain crown being placed on a tooth

First the good news. Everything in your crown is biocompatible. You won’t have to worry about getting sick from the porcelain powder. Though it is not the same as glass, it does have some glass in it. What most people worry about with glass, is getting cut while swallowing. Fortunately, that is not a concern when it comes to porcelain powder.

All that being said, your dentist should not have left you to swallow any of the powder. It’s just not a pleasant experience for the patient and thoughtless on the part of the dentist. The dentist should be using suction and water to keep all the debris cleaned up as you go with the procedure. Then, at the end, they should rinse your mouth with water and again use suction or some other means to rid you of the debris.

If this behavior continues on the part of your dental office, my suggestion would be to switch to a dentist who also advertises themselves as a holistic dentist. This is not a specialty. Instead, it is a philosophy of care, that places concern for the whole body over that of just the teeth.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

Multiple Dental Allergies

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I have multiple allergies to dental materials including dental cement, formaldehyde, cobalt, chromium, titanium, and many chemicals. I have a significant amount of dental work I need done, but I need a dentist willing to work around my allergies. What is the best way to go about finding a dentist who is familiar with Type IV allergies?

Pam

Dear Pam,

woman holding aloe plant in her palms

This is a tricky one. While some of your allergies are common, you have others, such as the allergy to titanium, that are quite rare. I think it would be better for you if you changed what you’re looking for in the dentist. Instead of looking for a dentist familiar with type IV allergies, I’d look for a holistic dentist. These dentists have a philosophy of treating the whole body and not just the teeth. They will be much more willing to work around your allergies. You can try doing an internet search using the term holistic dentist. If that doesn’t turn anything up, call around and see which dentists consider the results of Cliffords tests. If they take that seriously, they’ll work with you. If they don’t, they honestly will not be the best dentist for you.

You said you needed a significant amount of dental work but didn’t say what you needed done. Here are some of the metal free services available with the right dentist:

Mercury-free fillings. The old silver amalgam fillings have tons of metals in them, so you’ll want to avoid those at all costs. A mercury-free dentist will offer composite fillings, which is metal-free.
All-porcelain crowns. Some dentists will do porcelain fused to metal crown. Make sure you don’t get one with a metal base.
Zirconia implants. If you need to replace a tooth, dental implants are the best replacement. Traditionally, they are made from titanium. Given your allergy, that won’t work. Fortunately, we now have zirconia available as an option for implants. Not every dentist is using them yet, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado.

I think I’m allergic to my new dental crowns

Posted on January 26, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I think that somehow I am allergic to my new crowns. All three crowns seem to be infected. Now I wish I had switched to a holistic dentist. But this is my first time receiving crowns, so I did not know what to expect. I told my dentist that there was leakage around the temporary crowns. She took the temporary crowns off, did a fluoride treatment on my teeth, and prescribed antibiotics. When the final crowns arrive, my dentist filed them a lot because my bite was off. The crowns seemed okay, but whenever I drank something, fluid would rush beneath them. I wore temporary crowns again for two weeks, but my new crowns make my gums burn, and my teeth are sensitive. My dentist did not bond them on, and I do not want her to bond them. Could an allergy to one of the dental chemicals be causing this problem? – Reginia

Reginia,

Without an exam from Dr. Tostado, we cannot give you an accurate diagnosis, but we can offer some insight.

Do Not Allow Your Dentist to Cement Your Crowns

If your crowns are irritating your gums and teeth, do not let your dentist cement them. The discomfort will no go away without your dentist identifying and treating the problem.

Burning Gums with Dental Crowns

If your dental crowns are burning your gums, you may be sensitive or allergic to the crowns or substances used in the process.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns – If you have metal sensitivity and your dentist placed porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, you may be allergic to them. Ask your dentist to look at the dental alloy certificate from the lab and tell you your crowns’ exact composition.
Pure ceramic crowns – Although it is rare to react pure ceramic crowns, it is not impossible. Ask your dentist which materials the lab used to make the crowns.
Dental cement – Again, find out the ingredients in the bonding agent and other materials that your dentist used.

If either the crowns or the bonding agent contains chemicals for which you do not have a known allergy or sensitivity, you may need testing to determine the culprit.

Consider Getting a Second Opinion

After photo of natural-looking dental crowns from a San Antonio holistic dentist

Holistic dentistry ensures your crowns are biocompatible

We are also concerned about your dentist’s approach to the irritation and sensitivity you have experienced. Although fluoride remineralizes teeth, it is not an antibacterial that removes infection. Instead, a peroxide rinse or applying chlorhexidine is appropriate.

Given your circumstances and the fact that you still need dental crowns to restore your teeth, we recommend that you find an advanced cosmetic dentist with a holistic approach and schedule an appointment for a second opinion. After an exam and the second-opinion dentist’s findings, you can decide if you want to switch dentists to complete your crowns.

Gilberto Tostado, DDS of San Antonio, sponsors this post.