World Health Organization Urges Move Away from Dental Amalgam | The Holistic Dentist

I came across this post by a holistic dentist in Glendale, CA. Many of you are aware that my father, Dr. Jack Alpan, practiced dentistry and was also a naturopathic doctor. Through his tutelage and research of my own, I believe that using dental amalgam, or mercury-containing fillings, is dangerous and potentially very toxic to the body. If you have amalgam fillings, my recommendation would be to replace those fillings with composite or another less toxic alternative.

World Health Organization Urges Move Away from Dental Amalgam | The Holistic Dentist:

There’s been plenty of good news lately on the effort to end the Age of Toxic Dentistry, such as the Malibu City Council’s resolution supporting the global phase-out of dental mercury, which was unanimously approved just last week.

Malibu now joins Costa Mesa and Santa Ana as California cities opposed to dental amalgam.

And now more good news: The World Health Organization has finally released its 2009 report on the “Future Use of Materials for Dental Restorations,” which likewise urges a global “phase down” of toxic mercury amalgam.

The report has been released in preparation for the third of five Intergovernmental Committee deliberations that are expected to lead to the adoption of a legally binding treaty on mercury by 2013. Here is an excerpt from the report:

"In a clear sign that dentistry’s amalgam era is fading, the World Health Organization (WHO) just released its long-awaited report on dental amalgam. In Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration, WHO urges “a switch in use of dental materials” away from amalgam.

“[F]or many reasons,” WHO explains, “restorative materials alternative to dental amalgam are desirable.” The report describes three of these reasons in detail:

WHO determines that amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury”: WHO concludes that amalgam poses a serious environmental health problem because amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury” into the environment, including the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, and soil. WHO says “When released from dental amalgam use into the environment through these pathways, mercury is transported globally and deposited. Mercury releases may then enter the human food chain especially via fish consumption.”

WHO determines that amalgam raises “general health concerns”: While the report acknowledges that a few dental trade groups still believe amalgam is safe for all, the WHO report reaches a very different conclusion: “Amalgam has been associated with general health concerns.” The report observes, “According to the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit, the majority of cases of side-effects of dental filling materials are linked with dental amalgam.”
WHO determines that “materials alternative to dental amalgam are available”: WHO concludes that “Materials alternative to dental amalgam are available” – and cites many studies indicating that they are superior to amalgam. For example, WHO says “recent data suggest that RBCs [resin-based composites] perform equally well” as amalgam. And compomers have a higher survival rate, says WHO, citing a study finding that 95% of compomers and 92% of amalgams survive after 4 years. Perhaps more important than the survival of the filling, WHO asserts that “Adhesive resin materials allow for less tooth destruction and, as a result, a longer survival of the tooth itself.”
We have come a long way. Less than a year ago, dental trade groups were circulating an unedited and unreviewed draft of this report to government officials, implying that it was WHO’s final position. But the draft was riddled with factual errors and scientifically unsupported claims. Consumers for Dental Choice – working with non-governmental organizations, scientists, and environmentalists from around the globe – organized a letter-writing campaign to insist that the draft be immediately withdrawn, accurately rewritten, and properly reviewed.

And it worked! Now WHO has removed all claims of amalgam’s safety. Now WHO has committed itself to “work for reduction of mercury and the development of a healthy environment.” Now “WHO will facilitate the work for a switch in use of dental materials.”

Thank you to everybody who urged WHO to take this important step to protect future generations from dental mercury."

Loving Your Braces Can Lead to Love

Love is in the air at Aesthetic Orthodontics. One of my patients was sitting in the chair the other day making a big to-do about the fact that she couldn't go to Vegas and have fun with her girlfriends because she had her braces on. She said she didn't feel comfortable dating. "I'm on a dating hiatus," she said. Another patient a couple of chairs down had overheard her complaining and said, "Are you kidding me? I met my boyfriend this way, and now I know he really likes me for me." Everyone started laughing.

A lot of my single adult patients worry about being able to date with braces. Anxiety can arise with the thought of going through orthodontic treatment. "I'll never be able to date." "Men won't find me attractive." "Women won't think they are sexy." "Braces are going to ruin my game." "I won't be pretty." Some people decide that they aren't going to date at all. Honestly, would a woman kick Tom Cruise out of bed for having ceramic braces? Would a man not be interested in Nikki Taylor or Gwen Stefani because their teeth adorn little brackets? Not so much.

Think of having braces as a time to reform and transform. Carry off a positive attitude, and you'll have no problem carrying off braces. Find someone who is interested in you for being the incredible person you are and put some faith into the fact that you look amazing with or without your braces. If other people can't see past your braces, they aren't even worth your time.

It's been a joke at our office lately that love is in the air because lots of patients are getting braces before weddings or meeting their soul mate with their braces. A couple of patients are getting married with their braces. Some of my women patients in their forties and fifties don't mind keeping their braces on even longer than they need to because the braces give their lips the "botox effect." They love them because it makes their lips feel fuller and they attract younger guys. As for my male patients, braces make them seem like a risk taker and make them look younger - what isn't attractive about that? The truth is, the object of your affection is going to be interested in you regardless of what's in your mouth (unless what's in your mouth is yesterday's breakfast and seriously bad oral hygiene - nothing attractive about that). So put a big smile on your face and your best foot forward, and nothing, not even a mouth full of metal, will stand in your way.

A Happy Marriage: You and Your Retainer

Retainer, meet patient. Patient, meet retainer. Get to know each other well because you will be seeing a lot of each other. In fact, I now pronounce you patient and retainer til death do you part. Yes, retainers are for life, but the good news is, your teeth are straight for life as well!

Retainers are completely loyal to you as long as you are loyal to them. But if you should decide that you would rather be single for awhile, when you come back to your retainer, the retainer may not be the right fit for you anymore. So what happens when your retainer doesn't fit? Well, it's time to schedule a visit with me. The best case scenario - I'll make you a new retainer. Worst case scenario - you will need to start treatment all over again to get your teeth straight again.

If you have found that you haven't been tried and true to your retainer and it isn't fitting right anymore, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. If you think that all hope is lost, it might not be. There are affordable products available that can help make small changes - perhaps that's all you need. Either way, it's best to see an orthodontist just to make sure your bite hasn't shifted and that everything is aligning properly.

After you have finished your treatment and have been in retention (wearing a retainer) for over a year, I always recommend that my patients schedule a yearly appointment to make sure that everything is fitting properly.

There are a few different kinds of retainers. I've highlighted a couple of them below:

Hawley retainers are very common and you probably have seen this type of retainer before. These retainers are removable, and usually gum-colored, but they are available in a number of different colors and patterns. They are a great option for most patients and are a sturdy, reliable retainer.

This is a fixed retainer and is a permanent retainer, so it cannot be removed. It consists of a passive wire bonded to the lingual (tongue) side of the teeth. The wire is thin and barely noticeable. This is a great option for patients who aren't compliant, lose retainers, or don't want to deal with a removable retainer!

For Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients, Vivera retainers are a good option. They are clear, just like aligners, but are thicker than typical aligners to help hold the teeth in place. These are nice retainers, but for long term, permanent use, I try to encourage other types of retainers.

Spring aligners can serve multiple functions. In addition to being a retainer, they can also be used as a night guard because they are made from a hard acrylic. Spring aligners are also great for making minor adjustments to teeth.




Retainers are essential to keeping your teeth, jaw, and bite in the alignment they were in when you got your braces off and finished your treatment. The key to a happy marriage? Wear your retainer.

Change is Good

We are making some exciting changes at Aesthetic Orthodontics. This week we launched our new website, which has a more modern look and feel to it and is more user-friendly. The new website will make it easier for patients to find information about our offices, different treatment options that we offer, and answers to common questions that patients have before and during treatment. We continue to provide T.Link, a patient account system, making it easy to manage appointments, see before and after photos, suggest referrals, and view account balances. Earlier this year, we created a new logo that has made our brand more identifiable and cutting-edge. Additionally, we have new marketing materials and promotional items available to our patients and are planning on implementing new contests and games to keep an overall sense of community amongst our team and our patients. We are very excited about these new changes and hope that you will spend a few minutes reacquainting yourself with Aesthetic Orthodontics.

Face Value

In our society and culture, a full smile showing teeth is a sign of trust and friendliness, but many people feel self-conscious about showing off their full set of pearly whites. People value smiles, but how much do you value your own smile? How comfortable are you with your smile? Are you only smiling half way? Are you less confident talking with coworkers, friends, and strangers than you'd like to be? Do other people seem comfortable talking with you and looking you in the face? Do you feel like your teeth have changed over the years and are now less confident with the impression you feel you are making with your smile? All of these are valid questions in a society that values straight teeth and beautiful smiles.

If you are in the market for a job, perhaps you feel like you'd make a better impression in an interview with a healthier smile. If you are negotiating deals, perhaps you'd feel like you'd seem more credible with beautiful teeth.

A lot of people would like to change their smile but many never take action. Often it is because they are afraid of the costs of treatment and dental work or they don't like the idea of having to wear braces. But, they don't realize that there are many options and alternatives available. At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we work with you to come up with a customized treatment plan, and we do whatever we can to make it as affordable as possible.

If you are ready for a change and would like to find out how we can help you create that smile that you have been dreaming of, give us a call for a completely free consultation. Even if you have been told by another doctor that you need surgery or dental work, we may be able to come up with better, more affordable options for you. We provide exceptional care so that you will leave smiling with confidence.

Seven Common Questions Parents Have

The article below was posted on the American Association of Orthodontists website and I think it is a great starting place for parents who are considering orthodontic treatment. The Aesthetic Orthodontics website offers more in-depth information about orthodontic treatment. As always, I invite you and your family to come in for a free consultation to evaluate the treatment options that may be available to you.

Seven Common Questions Parents Have:

Today, nearly four million children in the United States and Canada are receiving treatment from members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). And while parents know that orthodontic treatment results in a healthy, beautiful smile, many don’t realize the important long-term health benefits.

As part of its commitment to education, the AAO provides parents with this list of answers to commonly asked questions about orthodontic care.

1. Why is orthodontic treatment important?
A: Straight teeth and properly aligned jaws contribute to good dental health as well as overall physical health. Orthodontic treatment can boost a person’s self-image as teeth, lips and jaws move into position and improve appearance.

2. How do parents know if their child needs orthodontic treatment?
A: The best way is to visit an orthodontist. The AAO recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age seven.

3. What if my child still has baby teeth at age seven? Should they still see an orthodontist?
A: Yes. By age 7, enough permanent teeth have arrived for orthodontists to evaluate how the teeth and jaws meet, and to identify current or developing problems. If a problem is detected, the orthodontist and parents can discuss when treatment may be necessary.

4. How does a child’s growth affect orthodontic treatment?
A: Treatment and growth often compliment each other. In some cases, the orthodontist takes advantage of a child’s growth to guide jaws and teeth into their ideal positions.

5. How often do you visit your orthodontist while in orthodontic treatment?
A: Typically a child will see the orthodontist every 6-12 weeks throughout the course of treatment.

6. If you currently don’t have an orthodontist, what is the best way to find someone to treat orthodontic problems?
A: To find an orthodontist near you, ask for a referral from your family dentist, your pediatrician or your child’s school nurse. Or you can visit www.braces.org and click on the Find an Orthodontist service. It is important to choose an orthodontist who is a member of the AAO. Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the AAO.

7. What is the average cost of orthodontic treatment?
A: Fees will vary, depending on the treatment needed. Most orthodontists offer convenient payment plans, making treatment more affordable than ever. Most orthodontists will work with you to find a plan that fits your family budget. In addition, many patients have dental insurance that includes orthodontic benefits. Check with your employer’s human resources department to learn about your coverage.

Ice Ice Baby

I have to admit, I take pleasure in crunching ice between my teeth from time to time. As I was crunching on a piece this week at lunch, it spurred the idea for this post. Lots of people chew ice, so I scoured the internet for interesting ice-chewing stories. Turns out, there are forums and sites out there for people that are addicted to chewing ice. I don't mean that they make sure they finish all of the ice in their cups at meals or have ice for a snack. These are people who are full-on addicted to chewing ice. Here are some of their stories:

"For me it is icicles. I normally pass by a car lot where they sell cars. Ice forms on the cars and it then runs down on the side forming icicles. I go there deep in the snow so that I can break off the icicles to eat. Someone might think I am trying to break into the cars. I mean look at the icicles here and see how delicious they look, especially the ones on the roofs I have had to break those too often. Sometimes I cut off a huge chunk and then then it is freezing my hand. Now the winter is going and that makes me sad. Now is back tot the coffee house when the cravings get hold of me and I am outside the house:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icicles" - murigo

"I have actually purchased a SCOTSMAN MDT2C12 TOUCHFREE CUBELET ICE MAKER/DISPENSER!! (Found on e-bay, paid $2250 for the thing) This is THEE machine that makes SONIC ice. I swear I have this down to a science . . . . If I take out about a pitcher's worth of ice ( and give it to my plants so I'm not "wasting water") then the machine kicks in and starts making that amazing ice that sticks to your teeth . . the really fresh cool stuff. I will literally chew ice until I am shivering, and sometimes I will go to bed with a front toothache that radiates up past my nose and into my forehead. I've actually wrapped in a heating blanket, chewing ice, as I'm watching tv, using the computer, etc. I chew ice when I'm folding laundry, cleaning the windows, polishing the floor, driving, taking a bath . . . it's out of control I know!!! I have 2 chipped molars due to chewing, but my dentist has never lectured me. I know for a fact that I chew over 10 lbs a day because of the amount the ice machine can produce." - chewininco

"Be it from the supermarket or my house I'll eat it anywhere. Once I actually got in trouble with my mum again cuz she caught scraping the excess ice off of the boxes in the ice cream section in the supermarket. The bus stop close to my house is actually right outside a shop that has the most crunchiest and thickest chunks of ice i have seen but it's so irritating i can only get a few pieces in my mouth before the boss sees me and kicks me out, so i make it worth while." - IcE BaBy

Yes, these stories may be funny, be it funny-strange or funny-ha-ha. But, if you take a look at icechewing.com, you'll find that many of these people have pretty significant dental problems, and in some cases, other serious health concerns.

Chewing ice puts an immense amount of pressure on the teeth. While the dentin in your teeth can be flexible, the enamel is hard. In fact, it's the hardest substance in the human body. Putting that much pressure on the enamel can cause fractures in the enamel. Even microscopic fractures created by chewing ice can develop into bigger fractures and cracks in the teeth. If the ice doesn't cause fractures or cracks, chronic ice chewing will still wear down the enamel faster than what is considered normal, and the potential for cavities will be much greater.

Some people chew ice until their gums bleed. This increases risk for infection, gingivitis, and gum recession. If your gums are bleeding due to your chewing, you need to break the habit and you should make an appointment for a dental exam.

Ice chewing is big no-no for braces patients. Aside from potentially damaging teeth, chewing ice can cause brackets to break or come loose, wires to bend inappropriately or come loose and poke patients.

Not only can chewing ice have an impact on your dental health, but it may also be a sign of other health conditions including iron-deficiency anemia, nutritional problems, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and in some younger patients, developmental disorders. Doctors use the term "pica" to describe craving and chewing substances with no nutritional value. If you do experience a need to chew ice or other substances, it might be worth a visit to a doctor just to make sure you are mentally and physically healthy.

If you chew ice chronically, it's in your best interest to break the habit. You might try ordering your drinks with no ice, or drinking only from a straw. If it's the crunch you like, try carrots or celery sticks. The cold rush of that icy crunch isn't worth the cold panic you'll feel when you crack a tooth.