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What is a Biological Dentist?

6 May 2024 by almcl91

Biological dentistry is a term far more common in the United States than Australia. When used correctly the terms ‘Biological Dentist’ and ‘Holistic Dentist’ are interchangeable. Unfortunately holistic dentistry has now reached buzzword status – where many dental clinics claim to be holistic without doing more than simply not placing mercury amalgam fillings.

A biological or holistic dentist will approach your dental care from the perspective that the oral environment plays an important role in overall health. A truly biological or holistic dentist will critically assess evidence to make the best clinical decisions for their patients. They will prioritise things like the biocompatibility of dental materials, avoiding harmful chemicals, thoroughly treating infections, minimising radiation exposure and having a concern for dentistry’s impact on the environment.

When comparing the biological/holistic approach with traditional dentistry – the differences are clear.

Conventional dentistry does a good job at addressing individual problems with individual solutions – focusing on resolving issues in the teeth or gums.

Whilst a well intentioned practitioner may choose to fill a patient’s tooth with a mercury amalgam filling as they were taught in dental school, the dentist is likely to expose themselves, the patient, the dental staff and the environment to toxic levels of mercury.

A dentist addressing the same problem from the biological/holistic perspective would know that placing a toxic substance like mercury into the patient’s tooth is likely to cause harm. This dentist would understand that evidence suggests mercury vapour constantly leaks from amalgam fillings, and that any mercury waste goes straight back into the air and water – polluting the environment.

While some dentists would never place a mercury amalgam filling, a truly biological or holistic dentist would always choose an alternative material with the best biocompatibility.

Many resins commonly used in dental fillings contain chemicals like BPA which are well known to cause problems by disrupting the endocrine system. A thorough biological or holistic dentist would choose a filling material that is free of chemicals like BPA, that will meet the clinical needs of the patient.

At Laser + Holistic Dental – we embrace science and technology to offer our patients the best dental care possible. Our dentists rely on scientific evidence to make important decisions about the biocompatibility of the materials we use, treating infections and improving overall health by treating the root cause of problems.

Laser + Holistic Dental is a holistic dentist in Melbourne, Australia.

Located in South Yarra, Laser + Holistic Dental treats patients with a comprehensively holistic philosophy – embracing technology for a new approach to dentistry.

Services include: laser root canals, SMART mercury filling removal, metal free implants, NightLase snoring treatments, safe teeth whitening and more.

New patients are most welcome.

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Five Key Things You Need To Know Before Starting The NightLase Snoring Treatment

3 May 2024 by almcl91

The NightLase laser snoring treatment has been receiving increased media attention in recent months – driving patient interest towards the ‘revolutionary’ snoring treatment. The media has described NightLase as a ‘quick and painless’ fix for snoring – so Laser + Holistic Dental has prepared this article to make sure you understand the full picture before deciding if NightLase is the right treatment for you.

Dr Lisa Matriste, Laser + Holistic Dental founder, was the first dentist in Australia to perform the NightLase treatment. With more than 12 years of professional development and international training in dental sleep medicine, Dr Matriste was attracted to the potential of the NightLase technology to offer a more ‘lifestyle acceptable’ treatment than existing solutions like CPAP machines and Mandibular Advancement Splints. “NightLase is a highly effective way to treat snoring for many patients, but I am concerned that the media is creating unrealistic expectations and inconsistent messages about the treatment”.

“NightLase is a highly effective way to treat snoring for many patients, but I am concerned that the media is creating unrealistic expectations and inconsistent messages about the treatment”
– Dr Lisa Matriste

After working with the NightLase technology for the last few years Dr Lisa Matriste has refined the NightLase technique to deliver consistently good results for patients that reduces the volume of their snoring, and simultaneously reduces the symptoms and severity of sleep apnoea. Dr Matriste says “NightLase is a relatively new technology in Australia. With the surge in interest surrounding NightLase, there are now many professionals who are treating snoring without doing any dental or medical diagnostics and also without following a consistent protocol.”

If you are not based in Melbourne and cannot get your NightLase treatment with Laser + Holistic Dental it is really important to understand these five things before starting your treatment.

  1. Snoring Is Highly Correlated With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
  2. Comprehensive Dental & Medical Diagnostics Are Essential
  3. If Your Snoring Is Cured – You May Still Be At Risk Of Apnoea Related Medical Events
  4. NightLase Is Not A ‘Quick Fix, instant Miracle Cure’
  5. NightLase Treatment Protocols Are Not Equal

Snoring Is Highly Correlated With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

More often than not – snoring masks serious underlying health conditions like sleep apnoea. Snoring is the partial blockage of the airway which creates the sound, whereas sleep apnoea is a full airway blockage for 10 seconds or longer.. When someone has a sleep apnoea event they are not breathing.

At Laser + Holistic Dental we always do sleep studies before starting NightLase treatment – virtually every single patient has had some degree of sleep apnoea, with many patients regularly stopping breathing several times a minute, and some people even being recorded as holding their breath for 60-90 seconds.

These periods of not breathing trigger a stress response in the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure as the body struggles to adapt to the rapidly dropping oxygen levels.

Medical research has found that patients with sleep apnoea are:

  • More likely to die at about 2x the mortality rate1
  • More likely to suffer from cardiovascular (heart) disease2
  • More likely to suffer a fatal stroke3
  • More likely to have hypertension (high blood pressure)2
  • More likely to have a motor vehicle accident2

If you snore, but do not think you have sleep apnoea – we can confidently say that our clinical experience suggests that you may have a false sense of security. It is critical to have the diagnostic sleep studies performed so we can see if NightLase is the right treatment for you and identify the best course of action for your health.

Comprehensive Dental & Medical Diagnostics Are Essential

Laser + Holistic Dental collaborates with medical specialists like Sleep & Respiratory Physicians and Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons (ENT) to diagnose and treat you in the best way possible.

Dentists with appropriate training are in an ideal position to identify any anatomical risk factors in the oral cavity that may be contributing to your snoring or sleep apnoea issues. Before starting treatment, our dentists will do an oral examination and take photographic records to see if you are an ideal candidate for NightLase. During this oral examination our dentists can identify factors like an enlarged or long palate or large tongue which are commonly major contributors to snoring and sleep apnoea.

As NightLase works by tightening the tissues in the throat, it may not be as effective for people where the primary cause of their symptoms is a large tongue. If a patient with a large tongue starts NightLase treatment without having this diagnosis, they may spend significant amounts of time and money to receive a poor result without having had that risk explained to them in the first place.

Patients with a long palate are in a similar position. Most clinics recommend three NightLase treatments (with some offering as little as one!) – a patient with a long palate is unlikely to see a significant reduction in snoring and sleep apnoea after so few treatments. It takes time for the soft tissue to shrink. At Laser + Holistic Dental we have seen good results for people with abnormally long palates – it just takes more treatments and more time.

From a medical perspective, a quality sleep study is critical to identify underlying issues like sleep apnoea, heart irregularities, low blood oxygen levels and sleep bruxism. At Laser + Holistic Dental we provide patients with a convenient, comfortable home sleep study kit to avoid the need to go into a hospital for an overnight stay. The results are then analysed by a sleep scientist and a medical specialist to identify areas of concern and recommend a course of treatment.

In most cases we recommend NightLase patients get a Cone Beam Volumetric Tomographic Analysis (CBVT). This is 3D scan done in-house that is used to measure the airway volume, and can also be used to identify nasal and dental pathologies. For patients with obvious nasal issues it is recommended that they consult with an ENT Surgeon as these may be playing a significant role in their snoring and sleep apnoea symptoms.

Once treatment starts, we monitor your progress using the SnoreLab smartphone app to record snoring volume along with other devices to measure your night time blood oxygen levels. When the course of NightLase is completed, the patient will have another home sleep study to give a before and after snapshot that we can directly compare to measure the therapeutic benefits. In some cases we may also recommend another CBVT scan to measure the improvements in airway volume.

At Laser + Holistic Dental this scientific approach to patient care allows us to diagnose problems and manage symptoms to steer us towards a great treatment outcome. These diagnostics provide our clinicians with the ability to directly measure your treatment successes without compromising your health.

If Your Snoring Is Cured – You May Still Be At Risk Of Apnoea Related Medical Events

Whilst snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnoea, many people have sleep apnoea without snoring. A significant risk of proceeding with a treatment like NightLase without performing due diligence diagnostics is that the snoring volume with be eliminated or greatly reduced, without diagnosing and managing conditions like sleep apnoea.

In our experience, nearly everyone who snores has sleep apnoea. If the snoring has been greatly reduced with a successful NightLase treatment – sleep apnoea can still remain. This is known as “silent apnoea”.

There are a number of obvious risk factors that relate to sleep apnoea – body weight, muscle density in the neck, a blocked nose, or large tongues and palates. It is reasonably common for fit and otherwise healthy people to actually be suffering from sleep apnoea because of one (or a combination) of these things.

In our professional opinion, it is unwise to pursue NightLase treatment without assessing the situation carefully. Initial diagnostics combined with post treatment follow up like the process we conduct at Laser + Holistic Dental are extremely comprehensive and allow our clinicians to confidently advise the patient.

If you are having or have had the NightLase treatment without a sleep study and proper medical diagnostic tests, we strongly recommend that you have a sleep study to ensure no sinister conditions like sleep apnoea are continuing to cause you health problems.

NightLase Is Not A ‘Quick Fix, Miracle Cure’

Despite what some may think – NightLase is not a ‘quick fix’ or a ‘miracle cure’. NightLase is a process – usually taking several months. It is unrealistic to expect significant improvements after one or even two sessions.

The reason that NightLase takes time is simply because collagen takes time to regenerate. The collagen in the soft tissue regenerates and tightens up after being exposed to the laser energy – which is what makes the NightLase treatment work. For a short course of NightLase the effect will probably take more than three months and for an average course this would take six to seven months.

Like all parts of the body, collagen degrades over time as cells die off and then regenerate. Over time, the tightened collagen from the NightLase treatment will also break down – which is why an annual ‘top-up’ laser session is recommended to maintain the best outcome possible. At Laser + Holistic Dental, the annual ‘top-up’ NightLase session is included at no charge as part of our treatment packages.

For a patient who does want an instant cure to their snoring, a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is likely to bring a more immediate result than NightLase. These splints work by holding the jaw forward, widening the airway space and stopping the tongue from falling back into the throat. The splints are less attractive for most patients from a ‘lifestyle’ and convenience perspective but they can have an immediate result with stopping snoring.

In some cases our patients have chosen to pursue multiple treatment options such as the combination of a splint and NightLase. For those who are not coping with CPAP or have severe sleep apnoea and perhaps a large tongue – the combination approach has seen a greater overall reduction in snoring and sleep apnoea symptoms.

If you want to stop snoring tonight, sorry to tell you but NightLase simply cannot achieve that. Perhaps try a splint instead. However, if you would prefer to invest your time into your treatment to avoid having to wear a splint whilst sleeping – NightLase could be the best option for you.

All NightLase Treatment Protocols Are Not Equal

NightLase is a fairly new technology, especially to Australia. Like anything new, there a group of professionals with a broad experience base who are leading the technology. To date, there are very few officially trained NightLase practitioners in Australia who have invested in international training from Fotona. Even between these trained NightLase practitioners – the diagnostic and treatment protocols can vary which may contribute to a inconsistency in patient outcomes.

Based on our extensive experience offering NightLase – consider the following when choosing a practitioner:

  • Less than three NightLase treatments will provide no significant benefit.
  • Sleep study diagnostics are essential, as is ongoing monitoring.
  • An oral examination and X-ray imaging is critical to evaluate any anatomical causes for the snoring or sleep apnoea – without this you may be wasting time and money on NightLase.
  • Co-operation between medical specialists is recommended to manage any sleep apnoea symptoms.
  • Using suction reduces saliva build up and allows the laser energy to stimulate the tissues properly.

To help you choose an experienced clinician that should guide you towards a positive treatment outcome, ask the clinics these questions:

  • How many laser shots are done per NightLase treatment?
  • Is the treatment done sitting or lying down?
  • Is there oral suction tubing used to suck up saliva during the treatment?
  • What sort of diagnostics – before and after treatment does your clinic do?
  • Will a trained dentist perform an oral examination on me?
  • Has the practitioner undergone official NightLase training from Fotona?

We hope this article has helped you understand how to find the best treatment option. If you still have any further questions – please contact us now.

Laser + Holistic Dental is a holistic dentist based in South Yarra, Melbourne.

Our dentists treat patients with a comprehensively holistic philosophy – embracing technology for a new approach to dentistry.

For the Laser + Holistic Dental team the biocompatibility of our materials are a critical part of our dental philosophy.

Learn more about our focus on biocompatible materials and technology as part of modern dentistry here.

References

  1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Stroke and Death
  2. Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea – A population health perspective
  3. Investigating the relationship between stroke and obstructive sleep apnea
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Biological vs Holistic – What is the difference?

13 April 2024 by almcl91

A biological dentist and a holistic dentist are the same thing. In Australia the term ‘Holistic Dentist’ is far more common than the term ‘Biological Dentist’ which is popular overseas – especially in USA and Canada.

It seems that in North America, Biological dentistry receives more attention than in Australia. Overseas, organisations like the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT) lead research on important issues like the safety of dental materials, addressing controversial topics like mercury amalgam fillings.

Unfortunately in Australia, many dentists position themselves as holistic because they do not place mercury amalgam fillings. There are only a few dental practitioners in Australia who treat their patients with a comprehensive biological/holistic approach.

When choosing a new dentist – we recommend that you look at their position on issues such as:

  • Mercury Amalgam – do they place it? How do they remove it? Are they SMART certified?
  • Chemicals – do they use materials containing things like Fluoride and BPA?
  • Root Canals – do they use additional technologies to disinfect the root canal system?
  • Biocompatibility – do they use metals or choose metal free options like zirconia?
  • Orthodontics & Sleep – are they educated and trained in areas where dental factors like jaw arches and tongue size can impact on a wide range of other health issues?

Laser + Holistic Dental practises science-based holistic dentistry – embracing modern technology such as lasers to offer our patients the best dental care possible.
We were the first SMART certified dentist in Australia, and place great importance on biocompatibility of all dental treatments.

Laser + Holistic Dental is a holistic dentist in Melbourne, Australia.

Located in South Yarra, Laser + Holistic Dental treats patients with a comprehensively holistic philosophy – embracing technology for a new approach to dentistry.

Services include: laser root canals, SMART mercury filling removal, metal free implants, NightLase snoring treatments, safe teeth whitening and more.

New patients are most welcome.

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Detoxing Mercury: Making The Right Diet Choices

1 February 2024 by almcl91

At Laser + Holistic Dental we are regularly asked how to detox mercury following the removal of mercury amalgam dental fillings. Despite the messages from the mainstream dental institutions, the science is clear and the public is becoming increasingly aware of the risks surrounding ‘silver’ dental amalgam fillings.

For those who have, or have had mercury amalgam fillings – it is important to understand that mercury affects people in a range of different ways due to factors like exposure size, length of exposure, genetics and allergies. Mercury has complex chemistry which plays a big role in understanding the best way to remove it from the body.

There are three phases to mercury detoxification:

Converting the toxin:
This involves the liver converting a toxin into another substance (reactive bioactive compounds), so that it becomes available for binding in Phase 2.

Binding the toxin:
Phase 2 is where a chelating agent enters the cell membrane, binds with the mercury compound before moving it out through the cell membrane.

Excreting the toxin:
Phase 3 involves the transporting and excretion of the modified toxin out of the body.

High levels of glutathione are needed to convert a fat-soluble mercury toxin into water-soluble mercaptates – a sulfur containing compound that binds mercury. Only mercury that is bound to glutathione or selenium can leave the cells.

If you still have your amalgam fillings or have recently had them removed – the most important thing to do is protect your body from the damage that the mercury causes. Mercury is one of the most potent oxidative chemical compounds known – producing a huge amount of free radicals in the body. To protect your body, this means removing the sources of mercury exposure and consuming a diet high in antioxidants to neutralise free radical activity.

Once you have taken steps to protect yourself, you need to release the mercury from where it is bound in the body, and excrete it. Mercury needs to be excreted quickly to minimise any damage after it has been released. The high levels of antioxidants assist in this process, as they help protect your body from the free radical damage.

The idea is to eliminate the toxic mercury burden that has occurred over your lifetime as safely as possible so that no damage is caused. However, because of the continuous attack of mercury from different environmental influences, it is an excellent idea to detox heavy metals at least once a year – even after your fillings have been removed.

Foods to help a mercury detox:

The most important compounds to assist in detoxing mercury are glutathione, selenium, sulphur and zinc.

Glutathione rich foods:

  • Avocado
  • Meat of young animals like lamb and veal.
  • Vegetarians would be strongly advised to consider supplemental or intravenous glutathione as bioavailability is poor in plant based foods.

Selenium rich foods:

  • Brazil nuts
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Wheat/rice/oat bran
  • Liver
  • Selenium is high in lots of seafood – although seafood is not recommended as a source of selenium because of aquatic mercury contamination.

Sulphur rich foods:

  • Green vegetables like kale, cabbage and broccoli.
  • Garlic and onion.
  • Zinc rich foods:
  • Zinc from animal sources may be more bioavailable during digestion.
  • Spinach
  • Pumpkin and squash seeds
  • Cashews
  • Beans (legumes)
  • Wheatgerm
  • Cacao powder
  • Mushrooms
  • Beef and lamb
  • Seafood – not recommended as a source of zinc because of aquatic mercury contamination.

Other good detoxing foods:

  • Turmeric: An everyday detox superfood that influences detoxification processes, provides organ protection and should reduce the common side effects of any retoxification.
  • Coriander/cilantro: Mobilises mercury from extracellular binding sites and facilitates transport and excretion. Cilantro tincture is more powerful than the fresh herb.
  • Grapefruit: Has a unique and amazing feature that can stop extra free radical formation during Phase 1 detoxification. Eating the whole fruit – flesh, seeds, pulp and thoroughly scrubbed skin – is extremely beneficial. Warning: Grapefruit may dangerously interfere with pharmaceutical medications.
  • Pea protein: A fantastic source of cysteine, which forms glycine and glutathione. We need high levels of cysteine to conjugate mercury across the blood-brain barrier. People with metal binding genotypes need lots of cysteine.
  • Vitamin D foods: Vitamin D dramatically increases intracellular glutathione, assisting brain detoxification. It can be obtained from cod liver oil (only if distilled of mercury) and from mushrooms as vitamin D2 which is then metabolised to D3.
  • Butter: Derived from A2 protein, for example, Jersey or Guernsey cow’s milk. Rich in butyric acid, which is metabolised to glutamine and is essential for good colon function and detoxification. It also stimulates bile and cholesterol production – important for binding with mercury.

Devices and treatments to help with detoxing mercury:

  • Sweat: Sweating is a natural process designed for body temperature regulation and excretion of toxins. If safe for you, get up a sweat regularly through exercise. Steam baths and saunas are good too.
  • Salt Baths: Bathing in Epsom salts, an inexpensive source of magnesium sulphate, promotes relaxation and also supplements the body with sulphur. (please only use pharmaceutical grade epsom salts for this, as bulk forms can be contaminated with heavy metals from the fertiliser industry.
  • Lymphatic Drainage: Acupressure, acupuncture, dry needling, specific massage techniques and shiatsu may enhance circulation and stimulate lymphatic drainage to aid with the detoxification process.

Extra detoxing tips:

  • Collect Data: Measure your detoxing progress with a baseline assessment of mercury tissue levels and a DNA profile before starting the process.
  • Safely Remove Mercury Amalgam Fillings: Find a dentist who is SMART Certified by the IAOMT to remove your mercury amalgam fillings using safe protocols.
  • Protect Yourself With Antioxidants: During the removal process, use foods and supplements that are rich in antioxidants to repair and protect the major organs.
  • Use A Professional: Detoxing can be potentially dangerous if done incorrectly and unsupervised. It is best to have the support of your doctor, naturopath, or other health professional.

If you are suffering from severe mercury related symptoms, medical intervention is available and strongly recommended.

Laser + Holistic Dental is a holistic dentist based in South Yarra, Melbourne.

Our dentists treat patients with a comprehensively holistic philosophy – embracing technology for a new approach to dentistry.

We take a strong position on mercury dental amalgam fillings – advocating their complete phase out worldwide.

Learn more about our philosophy on mercury dental amalgam and other toxins in commonly found in dentistry here.

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Why Choose A Holistic Dentist?

26 January 2024 by almcl91

Holistic dentistry is growing in Australia as people become more conscious about their health. The population is increasingly concerned about the health and environmental impacts encountered in their day-to-day lives. Holistic dentists offer a way to make more proactive and conscious choices about health care.

“A holistic dentist will prioritise their patient’s overall health when deciding on a course for dental treatment, rather than just addressing the symptoms of an immediate problem.”

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, describes a holistic dental practitioner as one “who believes that treatment of individual conditions takes place only by reference to the whole.” A holistic dentist will prioritise their patient’s overall health when deciding on a course for dental treatment, rather than just addressing the symptoms of an immediate problem. This means a holistic dentist approaches dental problems with a long-term perspective, aiming to address the root cause of the issues to deliver what is an ultimately more effective result.

Holistic Dentistry means combining traditional dental treatments with a focus on diet, lifestyle, other health conditions to ultimately optimise the health of the oral environment.

Lifestyle choices and everyday habits can play an important role in your dental health – holistic dentistry aims to recognise these interconnected variables when making treatment decisions.

The common points of interest for holistic dentists are:

  • Avoiding mercury amalgam fillings: not placing amalgam, and removing amalgam fillings safely. A thorough holistic dentist will be SMART certified to protect their patients from mercury exposure.
  • Prioritising biocompatibility of materials: choosing materials that integrate with the body without causing any problems or harmful effects. A comprehensive holistic dentist will offer metal free alternative treatments.
  • Effectively addressing oral infection: holistic dentists understand the problems and risks associated with root canal treatments leaving residual infections. A thorough holistic dentist will use lasers for root canal procedures or recommend alternative treatment options.
  • Avoiding harmful chemicals: a good holistic dentist will heavily scrutinise products to avoid harmful chemical like BPA.
  • Minimising patient radiation exposure: holistic dentists will avoid overexposing patients to radiation from X-rays, ideally offering low radiation scans like CBCT as an alternative.

If you are a health conscious person who would like to understand how your dental and oral health can play a big role on your overall wellbeing – holistic dentistry will probably be a good choice for you.

At Laser + Holistic Dental – we have developed our treatment philosophy through years of research and practice. It is our belief that dental treatment should always be health enhancing – rather than a stress to your system. Our dentists embrace science and technology to offer our patients the best dental care possible.

Laser + Holistic Dental is a holistic dentist in Melbourne, Australia.

Located in South Yarra, Laser + Holistic Dental treats patients with a comprehensively holistic philosophy – embracing technology for a new approach to dentistry.

Services include: laser root canals, SMART mercury filling removal, metal free implants, NightLase snoring treatments, safe teeth whitening and more.

New patients are most welcome.

© 2025 Laser + Holistic Dental

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