Your dental experience should improve the health of your entire body, not just the health of a few teeth. The connection between your health and your smile is a key part of holistic dentistry and should be valued as part of your dental work.
Here at Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we take a whole-body approach to your dentistry.
What Does Our Whole Body Approach Do For You?
The mouth is part of many systems in your body. We cannot treat it like it is just teeth or a mouth. Your smile helps with confidence and a balanced facial appearance, but it is also linked to your cardiovascular system and digestive system, meaning it has a very important job to do.
Our approach means that we:
- Prioritize dental treatments that can help improve the health of your smile and body
- Take into account the root cause of dental issues such as a poor diet or chronic illnesses
- Avoid treatments that can damage your health, such as mercury fillings
- Provide solutions that offer lasting relief and address underlying issues
We also seek to acknowledge that many care team members should be involved in your care, such as your general practitioner. Sometimes underlying health issues such as diabetes can make the health of your mouth worse, and addressing those can be important for providing permanent change in your smile.
Removing Damaging Restorations
Amalgam or mercury fillings can be harmful to your entire body. Trace amounts of the amalgam can wear off from a filling or restoration, causing distress to your body as it enters the bloodstream. Some patients report severe distress such as nausea, bleeding gums, or fatigue, while other patients opt to remove amalgam before any problems become noticeable.
Dr. Rath offers safe and effective removal of amalgam fillings. Her approach lessens the exposure rate of any mercury dust that may occur during removal. Our office uses rubber dams around the mouth and high-suction vacuums to safely remove any fillings that may be harming your smile or your body.
The Benefits of Removing Your Mercury Fillings
Removing old amalgam fillings not only improves the appearance of your smile but also helps protect your long-term oral health.
- Reduce Mercury Exposure: Amalgam fillings can release small amounts of mercury over time—especially when chewing or consuming hot foods and drinks. By replacing them with composite or porcelain fillings, you can minimize potential mercury exposure.
- Prevent Tooth Cracks and Fractures: Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes, which can weaken the surrounding tooth structure. Over time, this can lead to small fractures or cracks.
- Limit Tooth Sensitivity: Mercury can also put a strain on your enamel as it expands and contracts, leaving you with sensitive teeth. Replacing mercury fillings can lessen pain or sensitivity in that tooth.
- Reduce the Risk of Hidden Decay: Mercury fillings do not bond directly to the tooth, which can create small spaces where bacteria and plaque accumulate. This increases the risk of decay beneath the filling, which often goes undetected.
- Enhance the Appearance of Your Smile: Amalgam fillings are dark and noticeable, especially when placed in visible teeth. Over time, they can stain and discolor, making your teeth look darker than they actually are.
If you’re considering having your mercury fillings removed, Dr. Rath provides safe, effective mercury-free restorations that protect your oral health while enhancing the beauty of your smile. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options.
A Dentist Who Cares for You and Your Smile
Dr. Rath will always take steps to improve your overall health, during every dental appointment. She wants you to leave her office feeling your healthiest.
Metal-Free Fillings
Sometimes a cavity does happen, and that is ok. Dr. Rath offers metal-free fillings for new cavities, and to replace mercury fillings. The dental resin from our office bonds directly with your tooth, preventing infections within the tooth as well as tooth sensitivity.
Our fillings are also tooth-colored because a healthy smile is also a beautiful smile.
Call for Holistic Whole Body Dental Care in Billings, MT
If you are looking for a whole-health approach to your dental care, look no further than Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We offer a comprehensive approach to your health, that treats your mouth like part of your body. Schedule a cosmetic consultation, amalgam filling removal, or tongue tie consultation with Dr. Rath today.
About Dr. Rebecca Rath
Dr. Rebecca Rath was born and raised in Billings. She earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree from Oregon Health and Science University, and after graduating she practiced in community health centers and private practices in Oregon and Montana. Learning has always been an important aspect of her practice, and she has continued that learning at the prestigious Kois Center, a renowned institute for advanced dental education focused on comprehensive patient care. She works with her all-female team to bring you compassionate dentistry in Billings, Montana.
