Your Mouth Speaks Volumes
Local Dentists on the Cutting Edge of Oral Health
by Elisa Smith
The eyes may be considered the window to the soul, but functional dentists believe the mouth is the gateway to overall health, with repercussions extending well beyond a beautiful smile.“We recognize that the body is attached to the tooth, and not the other way around,” says Hyo J. (Tony) Lim, D.M.D., of Dental Wellness Centre. His holistic philosophy incorporates the patient’s physiology, past history and personal lifestyle into providing lasting solutions to oral health issues.
He admits that dentists didn’t always look at the whole person when dealing with tooth issues, noting for instance that mercury amalgams—now widely recognized as toxic to the body—were the norm in dentistry for decades. Not only is his practice mercury-free, he is trained in the proper removal of mercury amalgams.
He also performs metal-free dental work whenever possible. “Patients have a choice of what’s put in their mouths, and we want to offer good choices,” Lim says. One option is to have a serum compatibility test performed prior to having dental work done. The patient’s blood is drawn and tested against all dental materials for reactions. “It’s a one-time test that will let us know of potential issues now and in the future,” he says, adding that those with multiple sensitivities or autoimmune issues are good candidates for testing.
Because the oral cavity is the gateway to the body, Lim believes that periodontal disease is one of the biggest threats to overall health. “Periodontal disease is the uncontrolled infection of the gums, which, if left untreated, can cause systemic problems throughout the body,” he says.
David DiGiallorenzo, D.M.D., of LANAP and Implant Center of Pennsylvania, agrees, noting that dental infections contribute to systemic infections due to inflammation, which numerous studies show to be linked to heart health and chronic diseases.
Echoing Lim’s observation of changes in modern dentistry, DiGiallorenzo says, “Many conventional paradigms have gone by the wayside. For instance, it is no longer healthy to save infected, broken down teeth, which act as a chronic inflammation source that drains the body of life source.” Instead, he and colleague Hanh Bui, D.M.D., use metal-free zirconium or pure titanium implants to replace diseased or missing teeth. Their practice blends state-of-the-art technologies with complementary traditional protocols including acupuncture, reflexology, massage and homeopathy to optimize outcomes. Guided imagery and IV sedation therapies are available to put patients at ease.
“We offer dental technologiesand techniques providing single-visit solutions to many issues,” says DiGiallorenzo. “Our single-visit LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) gum disease therapy requires no cutting or stitches. We also offer donorless biologically compatible stem cell therapy for hard and soft tissue reconstruction.” DiGiallorezo has taught and lectured across the U.S., Europe and Asia, and patients have traveled from all 50 states for treatment.
Dental Wellness Centre is located at 216 Mall Blvd., Ste. 11, in King of Prussia. For more information, call 610-265-4485 or visit DentalWellnessCentre.com.
LANAP & Implant Center has locations at 425 Market St., 2nd Floor, in Williamsport, 570-505-5921; and at 184 W. Main St., Ste. 200, in Collegeville, 610-879-7632. For more information, visit PerioImplants.us.
Elisa Smith is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings. She can be reached at [email protected]. February 2016.
