Your Oral Health Is Connected to Your Total Body Wellness

Traditional dentistry focuses primarily on treating dental disease—fixing cavities, addressing gum disease, replacing missing teeth. Wellness dentistry addresses these issues while also considering:

• How oral health impacts overall body health
• Whether dental materials are biocompatible and non-toxic
• Root causes of dental problems (nutrition, inflammation, airway, etc.)
• Connections to systemic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders)
• Individual patient sensitivities and health philosophies
• Minimally invasive approaches that preserve natural tooth structure
• Data-driven diagnosis using salivary testing and biological analysis

We treat the whole person, not just teeth. And we measure risks before they become problems.

Salivary diagnostics use saliva-based testing to measure your oral health risks at the biological level—before problems become visible.

We test for:

• Harmful bacteria (OralDNA testing identifies specific pathogens causing gum disease)
• Nitric oxide levels (critical for healing, immune function, cardiovascular health)
• pH balance (acid levels that predict cavity risk and erosion)
• Live bacterial analysis (microscope examination of your oral microbiome)

Who benefits most:

• Patients with recurring cavities despite good hygiene
• Gum disease that doesn't respond to standard treatment
• Investing in high-end cosmetic dentistry (veneers, implants, crowns)
• History of dental work failures
• Acid reflux or erosion problems
• Wellness-minded patients who want data-driven care
• Anyone asking "WHY does this keep happening?"

Why it matters: Beautiful dentistry placed on unhealthy biology will fail. Salivary testing stabilizes your oral environment BEFORE treatment—dramatically increasing longevity and success rates.

Think of it as bloodwork for your mouth—revealing hidden risks traditional exams miss.

Investment: $150-$400 depending on which tests are needed for your situation.

Some aspects cost the same; some are different:

Same cost as traditional:

• Routine cleanings and exams (typically $150-$300)
• Basic composite fillings (typically $180-$350 per surface)
• Dental X-rays and diagnostics

Potentially higher investment:

• Zirconia implants vs. titanium ($4,500-$6,000 vs. $3,500-$5,000)
• Premium biocompatible materials for crowns/veneers
• SMART mercury removal protocol (additional safety equipment and time)
• Biocompatibility testing when needed ($150-$300)

Why the difference? Biocompatible materials and advanced protocols often cost more than conventional options—but the long-term health benefits justify the investment for most patients. We'll always discuss options and costs transparently.

Insurance typically covers wellness dentistry the same as traditional care (prevention, basic procedures). Premium materials may have higher out-of-pocket costs.

We recommend that you visit the following pages to ensure you attain the relevant information regarding insurance;  

https://championsfororalhealth.com/insurance-and-financial-information

https://championsfororalhealth.com/dental-insurance

This is a personal decision based on several factors:

Reasons to consider removal:

• You have symptoms possibly related to mercury toxicity (fatigue, brain fog, etc.)
• Fillings are old, cracked, or failing anyway
• You're planning pregnancy (reduce mercury exposure)
• You have autoimmune conditions (reduce inflammatory triggers)
• You prefer to eliminate all toxic materials

When removal may not be urgent:

• Fillings are intact and asymptomatic
• You have no systemic health concerns
• Budget constraints make phased removal more practical

If you choose removal, we ONLY use SMART protocol—the safest method available. Improper removal can release dangerous mercury levels, which is why protocol matters.

We'll never pressure you to remove fillings, but we'll educate you on risks and safe removal options when you're ready.

Yes—often stronger:

• Zirconia (ceramic) is as strong as titanium for implants, with zero metal sensitivity risk
• Modern composite resins are highly durable for fillings (10+ years typical lifespan)
• High-grade porcelain for crowns/veneers is extremely strong and stain-resistant
• BPA-free composites perform identically to BPA-containing versions

Biocompatible doesn't mean weaker—it means safer. Modern materials are engineered for both biocompatibility AND durability.

Absolutely. These are perfect examples of oral-systemic connections:

TMJ & headaches:

• Bite misalignment creates jaw muscle tension
• We evaluate and often correct bite dysfunction
• Custom orthotics, bite adjustments, or orthodontics can provide relief
• Many patients report headache reduction after bite correction

Sleep apnea & snoring:

• Airway restriction often has oral/jaw components
• We assess tongue position, palate structure, jaw alignment
• Oral appliances can open airways (alternative to CPAP for some patients)
• We collaborate with sleep specialists for comprehensive care

Other conditions we address:

• Chronic inflammation (gum disease linked to systemic inflammation)
• Digestive issues (bite dysfunction affects chewing efficiency)
• Posture problems (jaw alignment affects head/neck positioning)
• Nutritional deficiencies (oral signs often appear first)

We specialize in this:

Our approach:

• Biocompatibility testing available (Clifford Materials Reactivity Test or similar)
• Test materials against YOUR immune response before use
• Alternative materials available for common sensitivities
• Metal-free options for everything (crowns, implants, orthodontics)
• BPA-free, latex-free, and formaldehyde-free environment

We've successfully treated patients with:

• Metal allergies (nickel, cobalt, chromium sensitivity)
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, etc.)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
• Chronic inflammatory conditions

No one should avoid necessary dental care due to material sensitivities—alternatives exist.

We offer choices:

Fluoride options:

• Available for patients who want it (proven cavity prevention)
• Fluoride-free alternatives for those who prefer to avoid it
• We respect your preference without judgment

Alternative cavity prevention:

• Xylitol products (natural antibacterial)
• Ozone therapy (kills decay-causing bacteria)
• Remineralization protocols (calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite)
• Probiotic therapy for oral microbiome health
• Nutritional counseling (diet's impact on oral health)

We educate, you decide. Your health philosophy guides our recommendations.

No—it's evidence-based dentistry with expanded scope:

Wellness dentistry is grounded in:

• Peer-reviewed research on oral-systemic health connections
• Toxicology studies on dental materials (mercury, BPA, metals)
• Clinical outcomes data on biocompatible materials
• Functional medicine principles backed by science
• Conventional dental techniques + biological considerations

What we ADD to traditional dentistry:

• Material safety assessment
• Whole-body health consideration
• Root cause investigation
• Minimally invasive preference

What we DON'T do:

• Reject conventional dentistry when it's appropriate
• Make unsupported health claims
• Use unproven treatments
• Ignore evidence-based protocols

Think of it as "dentistry plus"—everything traditional dentistry offers, plus attention to biocompatibility and systemic health.

Progressive physicians appreciate our approach:

Many doctors now recognize:

• Oral inflammation's link to cardiovascular disease
• Mercury's neurotoxic effects
• The oral microbiome's impact on gut health
• Sleep apnea's oral/dental components
• TMJ dysfunction's systemic effects

We collaborate with physicians when appropriate—sharing findings, coordinating care, and ensuring your entire healthcare team is aligned.

Increasingly, wellness dentistry is becoming mainstream as research validates oral-systemic health connections.