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.
Hello. Have you seen a severe cavity be healed with Dr. Prices protocol? My 4 year old son was found to have 5 cavities, one I was told was so extensive and getting near the adult tooth above that extraction was recommended. I recently came across Cure tooth decay book. Oh how in wish i had this earlier, since the 4 other cavities have been filled. His appointment for the extraction is 2 days away and I still feel hesitant about it. I want to give the dietary changes a try (he has always been a good eater, lots of fruit though and oatmeal)….but I also dont want the integrity of his adult tooth compromised if he gets an infection in the meantime. He has no pain. It is a molar. Are these dietary changes to promote remineralization only successful for cavities through enamel only? Thank you!
I have not seen a severe cavity healed but Dr. Price writes about witnessing it himself and examining them in his book.
I had 2 tiny fillings on the front side of 2 molars as a teenager. Never had a cavity before or since. Shortly after this my older sister, who has never had any cavities either, was told by the same dentist that she had a mouth full of cavities. But when she went to have them filled the dentist had quit his practice and fled town. She went to a different dentist for the fillings and was told she had NO cavities whatsoever. We soon found out our old dentist was found to have been routinely filling teeth that had no cavities. I’m almost positive I never had cavities, but I have these 2 tiny fillings anyway. Now I have a cavity beneath one of those fillings, despite following a traditional diet for many years. I’ve been actively trying to heal it with oil pulling, mineral toothpaste, fermented cod liver oil, the diet in Ramiel’s book, liquid minerals, etc. It’s now hurting when I chew on that side. Based on your response above, do I just need to give in and go have it filled??
Minimally Invasive Dentistry does not only give you the options of a “small filling” rather than a “big filling”. Remineralization strategies are what drives minimally invasive dentistry, specially in the pediatric population with innovative materials such as fluoride use, sealants, anticipatory guidance etc. I’d recommend anyone reading this accusatory article to please inform yourself with evidence-based research in minimally invasive dentistry that demonstrates the benefits of the aforementioned strategies to REMINERALIZE tooth structure… don’t get me wrong sometimes a “small filling” may be a good option if the demineralization of the tooth has progressed into an actual cavity.
Have you (or anyone on here) heard of old fillings falling out of teeth due to actual enamel growth from underneath pushing it out? Before I came to really understand that small ‘cavities’ don’t need intervention, I had several fillings placed (despite the gnawing feeling in my stomach that I didn’t want to go through with it. So much regret). I’m wondering, as they don’t last forever, if I’ll have to really keep getting them refilled or replaced, or if there is hope I could regenerate what was drilled. They have all been shallow, it seems.
Teeth do not repair underneath fillings. Nor do teeth heal new cavities in teeth that have been drilled.
I don’t want to fill my daughters mouth with fillings. The1st time at the dentist that accepts my insurance said she needs 11 cavities filled. I don’t agree. Her orthodontist though she may have one. I dono have many options when it comes to who will accept my insurance. What should I do?
Get a second opinion from a holistically minded dentist.
This article is somewhat misleading because part of “minimally invasive” means preventative care, which remineralization should be a part of. Rather than simply telling you to brush your teeth, they’ll ideally prescribe a product with amorphous calcium phosphate that would help remineralize the tooth and even heal small cavities.
Wow, what an amazing article! I’ve been looking into remineralizing teeth, and you have given me the confidence to go for it instead of getting fillings. I hate having to put anymore foreign materials in my teeth, as I know they will need maintenance. I am willing to what I need to heal my teeth from the inside out. It is true some people want the quick fix and are not willing to change their eating habits and lifestyle. But I love my teeth enough to know it’s worth it. Thank you thank you thank you Dr. Judene!!! You are the kind of dentist I want to work for when I graduate Dental Hygiene school. God bless you!
please email me back – i have a hole on the side of my tooth nearest to the cheek (gum pocket) can this be healed? and what recommendations would you consider
thanks i love this site 🙂
Hi I’m a dental hygienist and I completely agree with this article! I have told many of my patients this info but more often then not they want the quick fix filling. Some people just don’t care, but for those of us who are conscious about what we put in our bodies this information is fantastic! Dr. Judene Smith can I come work with you?!? Hehe
Burning question:
How do we take good care of our teeth if we are severely intolerant to all dairy (including ghee), and don’t produce enough bile salts to tolerate FCLO??
This has been on my mind for some time. I have increased our consumption of healthy animal fats, homemade bone stocks and broths, and cut out fluorinated tooth products. What else?
Grassfed marrow is a great addition especially for dairy intolerant folks.
Plus pasture raised eggs yolks, pastured lard, carefully sourced seafood and homemade bone broth.