The Hidden Impact of Dental Materials on Whole-Body Health

 James Odell, OMD, ND, L.Ac.

Why Biocompatable Materials Matter

Biocompatibility refers to the interaction between living tissues and non-living materials. Because of confusion of terms, the FDA created a Biocompatibility Guidance book that defines certain terms. In relation to this, a couple of key terms have been further clarified:

Biomaterial: A nonviable substance used in a medical device that is intended to interact with biological systems.

Host Response: The response from a living organism to the introduction of material.

Biocompatibility (or Biological Performance): The capability of a substance to function cohesively with an appropriate host response in a specific situation.

Toxicity: The ability to damage a biological system by chemical means.

Cytotoxicity: The ability of a substance to harm or kill cells by disrupting their function or causing cell death.

Health Effects: Consequences of substance exposure, including local reactions (due to substances, bacteria, or physical stimuli), systemic toxicity (adverse reactions away from the application site), and other effects, like allergies, which can occur at lower substance concentrations than systemic toxicity.

Fortunately, dental materials in restorative and reconstructive dentistry have undergone tremendous progress during the last few decades. Safe, biocompatible dental materials, such as porcelain (ceramic), composite resin, and zirconia, are preferred for their non-toxic, metal-free, and tooth-colored properties, avoiding mercury and BPA. These materials are durable, directly bond to teeth, and minimize the risk of adverse health effects.

Top Safe Dental Materials

Porcelain (Ceramic): Durable, biocompatible, and aesthetic for crowns, veneers, and fillings.

Composite Resin: A mixture of plastic and glass that is metal-free and matches tooth color; specifically, BPA-free composite is considered very safe.

Zirconia: A highly durable, biocompatible ceramic used for crowns and restorations.

Glass Ionomer: Releases fluoride, making it a good choice for protecting against further decay, often used for smaller fillings.

Bioactive Materials: Advanced materials, such as bioactive fillers, that release calcium and phosphate to support the natural remineralization of teeth.

Key Safety Considerations

Mercury-Free: Options like porcelain and composite are preferred over mercury-containing amalgam fillings.

BPA-Free: When selecting composite resins, choosing BPA-free options avoids potential endocrine disruption.

Biocompatibility: These materials are designed to work harmoniously with the body, minimizing the risk of harmful side effects and allergic reactions.

Common Uses

Fillings: Porcelain (ceramic) or composite resin fillings.

Crowns: Porcelain or zirconia crowns, often created with CAD/CAM technology.

Restorations: Bioactive materials used for fillings and to seal against microleakage.

For optimal safety, check that materials are labeled as BPA-free and non-toxic.

Mercury Exposure, Safe Removal, and Biocompatible Alternatives

Unfortunately, widely varied, at times highly toxic materials are still routinely used in dentistry under the guise of technical durability, with often serious consequences for the entire body. Of concern are metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, nickel, and aluminum, as these metals have been associated with neurological diseases, immunological (autoimmune disorders), and mutagenic effects, as well as detrimental effects on metabolism from oxidative stress. Metal components can usually be detected throughout the entire body a few days after installation in the mouth.

Of particular concern is the use of dental mercury amalgams as a restorative treatment in dentistry. It is a mixture of several metals, consisting of silver, tin, zinc, and copper; however, about 43–54% of the main component is mercury. Dental amalgams are not inert, either chemically or environmentally. Mercury vapor is released from dental amalgam fillings and increases during brushing, polishing, tooth clenching, and chewing.

About 2–3 μg of mercury vapor is released daily per filling over an average wearing time of 20 years. This qualifies as low-dose, chronic poisoning. In numerous studies, an approximately 2–5-fold increase in mercury in the blood and urine was observed in living amalgam carriers; investigations on deceased patients found even 2-12-fold increases in Hg levels in different body tissues. According to these studies, amalgams are the main source of mercury load in the human body.

All this takes place within the microgram range; however, if one considers that even one molecule of Hg can destroy nerve cells, this cannot be underestimated. A study by Leong and Lorscheider showed that inorganic Hg quantities of 0.02 ng Hg/g led to the destruction of intracellular microtubules and degeneration of nerve axons.

Even today, highly toxic mercury amalgams are routinely used in most dental practices. The rationale is that it is a material that is easily processed and holds for a long time, and because it is subsidized by health insurance companies, it is therefore free for individuals who hold this type of insurance.

In Norway (2008) and Sweden (2009) mercury has been completely banned for some time, which also includes dental fillings. In Russia, mercury amalgam was already completely abolished at the end of the 1970s. In contrast, the Federal Association of Dentists (BZÄK) requires mercury amalgam as a filling material. In practice, mercury amalgams must be disposed of after removal as a highly toxic, hazardous waste. This fact alone should give pause for thought. Amalgam consists of 50% mercury (Hg), which, contrary to what is often assumed, is not firmly set in the filling after mixing.

Mercury is considered the most toxic non-radioactive element and thus exceeds all other known elements, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, in some cases many times over.

The human body is extremely intelligent and stores toxins in the extracellular matrix or, for fat-soluble toxins, in the metabolically less active connective and adipose tissues. However, in athletic people or those with a low body fat percentage, toxins are frequently deposited in nerve tissue or the brain.

Mercury is also known to be released during the placement, replacement, and removal of dental mercury amalgam fillings. Therefore, mercury amalgam removal during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may present additional concerns because mercury crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk.

Since mercury amalgam fillings are a primary source of mercury poisoning and other toxic metals, these should be removed either in the event of chronic illness or for preventive reasons. However, the process of removing mercury amalgam fillings can release dangerous levels of mercury.

Metal-free restorations. In Biological Dentistry the correct material plays a crucial role. Whether complex blood tests are done (LTT test) or whether materials are examined using bio-energy diagnostics (Autonomic Response Testing, Applied Kinesiology, Bioresonance, etc.) is up to the dentist. In an era of the hyperreactive, no longer tolerant immune system, the selection of the optimum substances should play an important role, before possibly mismatching or allergenic materials are permanently incorporated into the patient’s body. This additional burden may be enough to overwhelm an already stressed biological system. It is also important to understand the body as an integrated system rather than dividing it into individual parts.

The material of choice, both for biocompatibility and aesthetics, is currently ceramic. Several ceramic options are available, including zirconia, lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max®, Ivoclar Vivadent), and traditional feldspathic ceramics.

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Protocols

If mercury amalgam fillings are being removed, the procedure should be performed using a comprehensive safety protocol designed to minimize mercury exposure. Drilling into an amalgam filling can release mercury vapor and fine particulate matter that may be inhaled or absorbed by the patient, dental team, and surrounding environment. For this reason, many biological dentists follow specialized protocols that incorporate engineering controls, protective barriers, high-volume evacuation, air filtration, and other measures to reduce exposure during the removal process.

Two of the most widely recognized protocols are the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the PROTECT Protocol developed by the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. The SMART protocol establishes evidence-informed guidelines for reducing mercury exposure to patients and dental personnel during amalgam removal. The PROTECT Protocol builds upon these principles by emphasizing protection of the patient, the practitioner, and the planet, incorporating comprehensive OSHA-aligned respiratory protection, advanced air filtration, environmental safeguards, and detailed protocols designed to reduce mercury contamination within and beyond the dental office. Both protocols share the common goal of making mercury amalgam removal as safe as possible through careful planning, specialized equipment, and meticulous clinical techniques.

Here is the SMART protocol by the IAOMT and the Protect Protocol -Protecting the Patient, the Practioner and the Planet by the IABDM.

Bioregulatory medicine is a total body (and mind) approach to health and healing that aims to help facilitate and restore natural human biological processes. It is a proven, safe, gentle, highly effective, drugless, and side-effect-free medical model designed to naturally support the body to regulate, adapt, regenerate, and self-heal. BRMI is a non-commercial 501(c)(3) foundation and will expand and flourish with your support. Our goal is to make bioregulatory medicine a household term.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the direct care of a qualified health practitioner who oversees and provides unique and individualized care. The information provided here is to broaden our different perspectives and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.