We treat you from the inside out with prevention, healthy eating, supplements, and vitamins.
What is Holistic Dentistry
Holistic dentistry is an interceptive and holistic approach to dental care that provides comfort, stability and esthetics through healthy living and high-quality care. As a holistic dentist we focus on natural dentistry and alternative treatments to most conventional dental procedures. Feeling confident with your smile, being able to chew comfortably, and maintaining a healthy oral environment are a few of the foundations of holistic dentistry.
We believe that the patient must play an active part in understanding their oral health and in deciding what therapies or treatment options are best for them. It is equally important to understand what preventive measures may be required to maintain good oral health. It’s best to try to prevent disease through healthy living.
Aromatherapy/Music Therapy
We are able to enhance and improve your dental experience using Aromatherapy with Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) essential oils. At the Smile Center Peoria, we use essential oils to calm our patients, clean the air, and create a wonderful relaxing aroma.
So, what are essential oils?
Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Not only do they give plants their distinctive smells, essential oils protect plants and play a role in plant pollination. These essential oils are distilled from the plant for our benefits and have been used since the Egyptian times.
In our practice, we diffuse calming oils to modify the negative emotional response associated with the traditional aseptic smell of many medical facilities. Calming is not just a state of mind, but rather a complete physiologic response. The individual who is nervous and distraught will almost always have elevated blood pressure, pulse, and breathing as well as sweaty or clammy skin. These factors contribute to not only an unpleasant work environment for the staff, but to a poor patient experience as well. By diffusing essential oils, we can watch these physiologic conditions change before our eyes. We invite you to experience it for yourself!
Ozone Therapy
Ozone is O3, a tri-atomic oxygen molecule and is as safe as oxygen when properly administered.
When medical-grade pure oxygen is passed through a corona discharge generator, pure ozone is generated. Ozone can be used in a liquid form (ozonated water) or gas form. When ozone gas is filtered through pure olive oil, it forms an ointment (ozonated olive oil).
Atmospheric O3 quickly conjugates with atmospheric pollutants. Due to this unique characteristic to bind with pollutants, ozone levels are able to measure pollution levels. Ozone is not hazardous; rather, ozone binds with pollutants found in our atmosphere.
The negative charge on ozone searches for and neutralizes anything with a positive charge. “Bad” cells including bacteria, viruses, cancer cells or free radicals typically carry positive charges on their cell membranes. “Good” cells will typically have anti-oxidants on their cell membranes and will deter surface oxygenation.
This type of therapy is used for:
- Periodontal disease: Flushing ozonated water below the gum line and/or ozone gas into the supporting tissues can be used to treat periodontal disease.
- Decay: Ozone kills bacteria that cause cavities and because it is a gas, it diffuses and permeates areas below the gum line, into the grooves of teeth and will eliminate bacteria on contact. After ozone therapy effective eradicates bacteria, a filling can be placed. Sometimes, no filling or restoration is necessary if the area is not too deep.
- Sensitivity: Ozone gas administered to a sensitive or demineralized area on the tooth can harden compromised tooth structure and effectively eliminate sensitivity.
- Safety: Ozone does not have any contraindications with other medications, therefore cross-reactions are not a concern at all. You cannot be allergic to ozone, because you cannot be allergic to oxygen.
SMART Amalgam Removal
Biological dentistry is focused on the use of non-toxic materials and techniques that are safe for the human anatomy and physiology. Research has proven amalgam mercury fillings are not good for our overall wellness. Dr. Wright-Lowry is SMART amalgam removal certified through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).
The IAOMT has strict protocols set in place when it comes to removing an amalgam filling safely, and The Smile Center of Peoria follows all protocols carefully. Dr. Wright-Lowry's SMART certification means she follows these protocols to keep you and the Smile Center team safe during your treatment. The SMART amalgam protocol was created to limit any exposure to mercury vapor during the removal of a metal amalgam filling. The SMART Amalgam protocols include the following:
waste collection
air filtration
protective masks and gowns
dental dams
ample water usage
Should I Worry About Metal Fillings?
There are a number of opinions about mercury, but the IAOMT and The Smile Center of Peoria believe any amount of mercury taken into the body should be considered potentially hazardous. The primary concern with metal amalgam fillings is that over time they can expand and contract with temperature changes. This change can lead to fissures in the tooth that leak and allow infection to form in the tooth structure. This infection can then spread to the gums and even the bloodstream. At The Smile Center of Peoria, our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date information. As well as the safest and most biocompatible materials and treatments.
