Partners In Dental Health

Holistic Dentistry or biological dentistry is an emerging new field which has been developing in the United States for the last 20 years and in Germany for over the 40 years and is being taught and practiced in many parts of the globe. It is the dentistry of the future. Holistic dentistry focuses on the belief that there are energy meridians in the body. The teeth are energetically connected to the rest of the body through the energy meridians rather than being separate entities. It is the belief that dental therapies, materials, and procedures can affect the whole body including the organs, organ systems, and tissues. It is concerned with providing treatment and therapies that cause the least disturbance to the immune system.

Holistic Dentistry is relatively non-toxic and biocompatible to each individual. A holistic dentist uses only biocompatible dental materials. Each material has undergone tests to determine whether or not it is compatible with the body. If necessary, individual tests can be done for each person using kinesiology. This is the practice of using the body's energy fields to the testing of materials compatibility.

A holistic dentist addresses the toxicity of metals, as well as the electrical currents that are generated by oral galvanism, which comes about from having different kinds of metals in the mouth.
A holistic dentist addresses areas of hidden infection, areas of necrosis (dead tissue) and chronic inflammation, usually due to unhealed extraction sites, most often at the sites of where the wisdom teeth were located. The unhealed extraction sites are called cavitations. Current standard medical methods are unable to locate these chronic areas of disease. Holistic dentists work in conjunction with other alternative health care practitioners who make it possible to investigate whether a hidden infection of dental origin exists, and whether it may be the source of, or contributing to overall health problems. It's also possible that hidden dental infections can be interfering with the effectiveness of medical therapies for existing health conditions.

Goals of the holistic dentist include:
1. Identifying areas that need treatment
2. Providing treatment to individuals who are not likely to create any additional health challenges.
3. Bringing the mouth to a healthy and functional state

Two great locations to serve you even better. Virginia Beach and Norfolk

When people think of fillings, they generally think of mercury fillings, the standard fillings used by dentists for back teeth and some front teeth. These fillings look black, gray or silver. These fillings are commonly called by two other names. The name patients like using is "silver fillings," which is not accurate because it contains only 25-30% silver. The common term used by dentists is "amalgam."  Which by definition is a mixture of mercury with other metals such as silver, tin, and or copper to make amalgam; but it is not molecularly combined. Since mercury in amalgam is not bonded to the other metals, it is considered "free mercury" and will vaporize, leave the filling and enter the body.
There is much controversy in the dental profession concerning the use of amalgam as a dental restorative. The American Dental Association (ADA) claims that there is not enough research to conclude any harmful effects of mercury on the body and pronounced them to be safe. I invite you to explore the web site for their opinion at www.ADA.org. My practice of Holistic Dentistry has led me to believe that amalgam fillings are not compatible. An organization called the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) with a membership consisting of dentists, physicians and researchers, claim otherwise. On their web site (www.IAOMT.org) you will learn of literally hundreds of related research papers originating from all parts of world. These peer review papers show harmful effects of mercury on the body and the environment. I encourage you to visit the web sites of these two organizations and form your own conclusions.

Questions About Mercury

Dr Kent and his assistant are following protocols to protect his patients from the exposure of mercury vapor, using special suction devices and air filtration systems.


The patient is wearing protective eye ware and breathing oxygen through a breathing device.

1. Q. I understand that when a silver-mercury filling is removed, mercury vapor is expelled and can be toxic to me. What do you do to protect me?
A. A protocol was designed by the IAOMT to provide protection for patients having a mercury based filling removed. This protocol is followed in our office to prevent mercury exposure to our patients and office staff. The following are the safety precautions taken:
    -Specially designed high-speed evacuation is used; one in the mouth and one that fits over the tooth being treated to catch mercury vapors being emitted.
    -Copious amounts of water are sprayed on the tooth during removal to keep the temperature down to minimize mercury vaporization. Mercury vaporizes at room temperature, so the cooler we can keep the area, the better.
    -A nasal breathing mask for the patient provides oxygen to ensure adequate oxygenation of the body during mercury removal and further the protection.
    -The silver-mercury filling is removed in sections to minimize grinding.
    -A high-speed air evacuation is used to ensure the elimination of mercury from the air in the room.
    -A vinyl rubber dam is at times used over the patient's mouth. (This is not required)
    -Patient's eyes are protected with safety glasses.
    - Doctors will use magnification eye ware to ensure all mercury and decay is removed.

2. Q. What do you use in place of silver-mercury fillings?
A. A ceramic-resin material called composite is used. Composite is composed of tiny particles of porcelain mixed with in a matrix of resin. It is tooth colored and is bonded directly to the enamel tooth structure. The composites used in our office have been tested for biocompatibility and have been found to be compatible with 95-98% of the population.

3. Q. I am sensitive or allergic to many things. Is there a way of testing to see if I am sensitive to your composites?
A. Yes, there is a blood test that can be done to test if there is any sensitivity. Another test using kinesiology can be performed in the office that has proven to be quite accurate. Please ask if you are interested in it.

4. Q. What if I am suffering from a chronic illness, can you still do dental treatment?
A. If you have a chronic illness, it is important that you are under the care of a physician. We have a couple of alternative-medicine healthcare practitioners and physicians that we consult with. These practitioners can help you to restore your health and chelate your body to rid it of mercury and any other heavy metals if they deem it necessary.

5. Q. What does chelation involve?
A. Chelation is a process where a substance that binds to mercury is introduced into the body to act as a magnet to attract mercury and carry it out of the body. The human body has very little means to rid itself of mercury and it needs an aid like a chelator. Chelators come in different forms and are introduced into the body in different ways. Dr. Kent can advice you as what can be done or what health practitioner to see to assist you in this.

6. Q. What will it cost to have my dental treatment done?
A. That can't be answered without an examination. Fillings that are large are going to be more costly than smaller ones. Teeth that are badly broken down may need to be restored using a crown which covers the entire tooth to protect it from fracturing.