What could be so wrong with minimally invasive dentistry? Sounds like a good idea right? Actually it’s anything but.
Minimally invasive dentistry involves detecting a cavity when it is very small and doing small treatments – removing small amounts of tooth structure and putting in small fillings.
Proponents of this type of dentistry (both conventional and holistic dentists) cite the benefits of having tiny parts of the tooth removed and tiny fillings placed as opposed to having large holes drilled and large fillings placed.
Minimally invasive dentistry gives people the false impression that they are choosing something healthy for their teeth by having small amounts of tooth structure removed, and that the dentist doing small treatments and fillings is providing a great holistic service to people.
Of course when you give someone those options – small filling or big filling – everyone is going to agree that a small filling is better. But what is so disturbing about minimally invasive dentistry is that it implies the only options are small or big fillings.
But there is a third option that people are not told. And that option is to have no filling. If you had a choice between small, big or no filling, now tell me what you prefer. Personally I prefer no filling, and I bet a lot of other people do too.
Catching tiny cavities and putting in tiny fillings is really not helping people. See, these tiny cavities are actually totally reversible. People don’t need tiny holes drilled in their teeth – they need to be told that they can remineralize their teeth and harden up the small soft spots.
Dental Textbooks Acknowledge Ability of Cavities to Heal
Don’t believe me because you’ve never been given this option before? Here is a quote is straight from my dental school textbook:
“It has been shown experimentally and clinically that incipient caries [small cavities] of enamel can remineralize.” – Sturdevant’s Art & Science of Operative Dentistry 4th Edition, 2002
A few reasons why remineralizing your tooth is a far superior choice over minimally invasive dentistry:
- Having a filling in your tooth, no matter what size means dedicating the rest of your life to needing it repaired and replaced (fillings don’t last forever).
- Fillings of all sizes are susceptible to recurrent decay, especially if the underlying cause of the cavity has not been addressed (and it is not with minimally invasive dentistry)
- After remineralizing your natural tooth you certainly won’t need to keep seeing your dentist every so many years to have it replaced! In fact, remineralized teeth are more resilient to cavities in the future.
“These discolored, remineralized, arrested caries [cavities] areas are in-tact and are more resistant to subsequent caries [cavity] attack than the adjacent unaffected enamel. They should not be restored unless they are esthetically objectionable.” – Sturdevant’s Art & Science of Operative Dentistry 4th Edition, 2002
(Another quote straight from my dental school textbook. Makes one wonder why it is not promoted in the modern conventional or holistic dental office…)
I was once talking to a dentist friend of mine about small cavities. She said, “Oh I don’t bother observing them. I just go ahead and fill them. What is the point of watching a cavity just get bigger and bigger?”
But why does she think there just two options, big or small cavity? What about the third option of remineralizing it or healing it?
A lady told me that she went to see a very well known holistic dentist who gave her tons of options for how to remove her daughter’s small cavity and tons of options for different materials to fill it with.
But no option to heal the cavity (which by the way the lady and daughter did do, thankfully).
Remineralization Does Not Occur Using Fluoride
I like to make sure I mention the term, ‘healing,’ because certainly there are some dentists and hygienists out there who promote remineralization of teeth but only through the use of fluoride.
Using fluoride does not heal our teeth. Healing our teeth involves naturally restoring the lost minerals from our teeth by addressing the underlying local and systemic cause(s) of the cavity in the first place. And as much as the toothpaste companies would love for people to think so, cavities are not caused by a lack of fluoride.
Naturally remineralizing or healing one’s teeth can be rather simple for some people and incredibly challenging for others. For some people it can be as simple as cutting out some garbage foods and drinks. It may mean adding in some real food or taking fermented cod liver oil. For others it involves a massive change in their lifestyle and dietary habits.
No matter what amount of work you put into naturally remineralizing and healing your teeth, I promise you that your teeth and the rest of your body will thank you.
It’s time to stop sticking band-aid treatments in our mouths. Regardless of whether they are small band-aids or not, fillings and other dental treatments cover up our ability to take control of our health and healing capabilities.
The power to live a healthy life does not lie in the hands of your dentist, hygienist or any other practitioner. You have the power.
More on How to Remineralize Teeth to Heal Cavities
The book Cure Tooth Decay outlines in detail the dietary protocol for remineralizing tooth enamel. According to the author Rami Nagel, the most important two dietary steps for remineralization include a daily dose of fermented cod liver oil (NOT regular cod liver oil) and regular consumption of raw, grassfed dairy.
I can verify that both our dentists (pediatric & family) have confirmed that my children’s horrific cavities remineralized (hardened & stopped progressing), their abscesses stabilized (went pain-free & drained properly) & they’ve had zero new cavities in the 7 years since we changed to a high-natural-fat traditional foods diet.
Dr. Smith
I have several questions that I really appreciate you answering at Dentaltown. Feel free to post them here as well.
From what I’ve heard, that dental forum is a pit of vipers. Nasty, nasty, nasty!
Although at times the comments can be quite harsh, dentaltown is a phenomenal resource for all dentists. There are clinicians such as Dr. Kanca who have actually changed the practice of dentistry as we know it.
He does so through the presentation of legitimate and fundamentally sound research, not through the interpretation of decades old texts and citations.
I believe it would behoove Dr. Smith to rejoin the forum and engage Dr Kanca (or others) who’s questions are legitimate….AND in fact presented in a respectful and open-minded way.
For one (male) dentist to ask another (female) dentist to punch Dr. Smith in the face as was posted on that forum doesn’t strike me as anything close to a “phenomenal resource”. Sounds more like a bullying, old school, in the box group of likeminded, conventional dentists who shun, ridicule and even threaten anything that doesn’t jive with their outdated way of thinking and threatens their pocketbook. I think it would be wise for Dr. Smith to steer clear of that pack of piranhas.
One or two bad apples do not define Dentaltown. As soon as those inappropriate posts were seen, I as moderator there deleted them. 99% of the posts on Dentaltown are not of this nature. If Dr. Smith comes over to debate her position, I will make sure that the debate stays respectful and anyone with a personal attack will be removed.
Dear Mr. Goldstein, the fact that those nasty comments even appeared at all it was a travesty. That you deleted them later is too little, too late. Have you banned those dentists from ever posting again or at least put them on permanent moderation? That those type of comments show up at all is a testament to the type of forum it is … rude, bullying, noninclusive of alternative opinions. For shame.
Practicing dentist here…your concept of “Minimally Invasive Dentistry” involving just smaller fillings is inaccurate. Modern MID involves the implementation of risk assessment, digital radiography, visual scoring (ICDAS..look it up), high magnification, and adjunctive technologies such as laser fluorescence. A major tenet of modern MID is to use these systems to implement caries reversal treatments whenever possible including topical agents and behavioral counselling. To claim that MID is simply restoring small cavities couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’d add a caution about clays in the diet or toothpaste and suggest that nutrient-dense foods and fermented cod liver oil are the better way to go to heal and strengthen teeth. According to one of the speakers in the recent Thyroid Sessions online summit (Wendy Myers), and the MD she works with (Dr. Lawrence Wilson), all clays contain some amounts of harmful heavy metals. They feel that bentonite has too much aluminum. Lead, mercury, aluminum, manganese, etc., can cause neurological and other issues.
But the “trace” amounts in vaccines are safe though? Well that is what all the so called “medical pros” say…. why the difference in tone when it comes to consumption of “trace” amounts by real natural sources? Are you forgetting the fact that fluoride intake internally can cause neurological damage as well but it is “recommended”. My opinions are based on my observances and what I see a bunch of hypocrites in the medical field. Only suggesting big $$ info…. I asked my children’s dentist about re-mineralization of their teeth and she tried to prescribe me a high fluoride toothpaste (by prescription only) to my 4 and 2 year old. I politely turned her down and she then refused to treat me children under the claim of my parental “negligence” (HA! like I am intimidated by that lol). I am working now to regain their health by diet and nutritional therapeutics. What you “modern” medical professionals do not understand is that in a few more years those who are still adamant about lining their pockets by deceit will be the ones without any respect and business (it is a consumer market fyi). They will end up with the title “Quack Doctors/ Dentist” with snake water treatments. We are in the age of information 😉 no longer will the masses follow blindly. If their ways have been working all these years then why are we the sickest with the worst dental habits in the top 100 “developed” nation.
How do you even find a “minimally invasive dentist”?
Very interesting.
As a practicing Dentist I always recommend watching small cavities because it is possible for them to remineralize. However fish oils are not the answer the reason people get cavities is sugar and acid both of which are in many soft drinks, juices. Sports drinks, energy drinks etc… Once decay penetrates the enamel into the dentin there is no magic oil or voodoo to correct the problem only a trip to the dentist.
Michael, wouldn’t it help if we properly labeled “small cavities” as “incipient caries” or “incipiencies”? (as I assume you’re speaking of caries limited to enamel as “small cavities”?)
No. Right now they are being trained how to get more money out of us. I fight them and now I just don’t go any longer 🙁
I wasn’t aware oil pulling wasn’t good for silver fillings. I’ve used coconut oil on my teeth- just brushing with it. I haven’t worked up to pulling yet. I use it on my boys and their dentist raved about their teeth. Next six months I didn’t stick to it as well and the results weren’t as great.
Anybody could recommend please a holistic OK dentist in Portland OR for a family ? thank You !
Not Portland, but regionally close. I highly recommend Dr. Scott Loiselle in Newport, OR (newportoregondental.com). He has bought the office formerly owned by Dr. Anne Meyer. Dr. Loiselle has taken all the Dr. Huggins trainings, they use ozone, etc.. The website doesn’t give a lot of info, but they are very responsive to answer all questions you have. I really like him and are now using him as our family dentist–we have to drive across the mountains and 4 hours–but it’s totally worth it. He is a very honest dentist as well, and good with children. Stevie is hygienist is fantastic with children. My little boy can’t wait to go back, so unlike my first dental experiences when I was a child.