There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to dental procedures such as fillings and crowns. The materials used during the dental procedure may work for one patient, but not work for another. That is why many dentists are starting to offer bio testing to their patients.

Bio testing helps dentists, like Dr. Tiffany K. Shields, better understand your body. Depending upon the specific type of bio testing that is performed, your dentist can discover if you have toxic levels of mercury in your system and determine your allergies or sensitivities to certain metals and materials commonly used in dental procedures. All of this information can be used to create customized treatment plans that work for your individual body.

Smiles by Shields, a holistic dental practice located in Jacksonville, Florida, offers patients a number of bio testing options. The following takes a closer look at just some of the many bio testing options offered by Smiles by Shields.

Testing for Metal Allergies with a Blood Test

Before placing a new dental restoration in your mouth or replacing an old amalgam filling with composite material, it is important to determine what – if any – allergies or sensitivities you may have to metals or materials used. A simple blood test can provide us with the answers we need.

A small blood sample is taken and then sent off to a lab. The lab will analyze your blood and create a detailed report. The report is sent back to the dental office. Inside the report is an outline of what metals and materials you are sensitive to and which ones may be safe to use.

The information found in the report can be used by your dentist to create a customized treatment plan. If you are sensitive to certain materials or metals, your dentist will be able to provide you with treatment options that avoid using anything harmful to your health.

The Mercury Test

Mercury is a very harmful material that was used in the old silver fillings. Patients with silver fillings could benefit from a bio test that looks at how your body reacts to mercury.

The bio test offered by Smiles by Shields provides a detailed outline of potential mercury exposure, the toll mercury may be taking on your body, and whether or not your body is able to excrete or get rid of certain types of mercury. All of this information can be used by your dentist to start determining what dental work needs to be done to help you achieve maximum overall health.

Looking for ‘Bad’ Elements in Your Blood

A test known as the blood metals test provides you with a detailed look at the nutrients inside your blood. The test looks for elevated levels of toxic metals. If toxic metal levels are elevated, your dentist can work with you to determine what type of treatment you may need to help get your blood the nutrients it needs to get back to a healthy level.

Applied Kinesiology – A Quick, Easy Test to Determine Reaction to Metals

A lot of these bio tests involve taking samples of saliva or blood and sending them to an outside lab. There is a relative quick and easy test that can be performed right in the office – applied kinesiology.

Applied kinesiology takes specific metals and places them near or on your muscles. If the muscles react strongly by resisting the pressure or metals placed on them, it is determined that your body has the ability and strength to fight against the metals. However, if the muscles appear shaky or unstable during the testing process, it could indicate that there is a possible allergy or sensitivity to that particular metal.  

We offer our patients these bio testing options because we believe it is important to understand the whole body in order to provide comprehensive dental care. These tests allow us to gain valuable information that will not only improve your oral health, but improve your overall health.

Call our office today to learn more about bio testing and how it can help improve your overall health or to schedule an appointment to discuss bio testing with Dr. Tiffany K. Shields and her staff.