Ortonville ? ‘Cutting-edge? can mean many things.
In dentistry, it can mean extreme makeover-style cosmetic improvements, high-tech gadgets, or taking steps to safeguard a patient’s health before they’re government-mandated.
David Regiani, D.D.S. integrates all three definitions into his practice.
A wealth of literature is available in his office explaining the reasons Regiani doesn’t use mercury fillings and the necessity of locating and treating decay, as well as explaining devices to invisibly align the teeth, prevent overeating, or correctly align the jaw to prevent headaches.
With a home computer and a resourceful attitude, patients can research the issues themselves.
In Regiani’s practice, ‘white fillings? are used in place of the silver-mercury dental amalgams, or metal fillings, used around the world for 150 years.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to elemental mercury, like that in thermometers, batteries, and dental amalgams, can affect the central nervous system (see http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/mercury.html).
Elemental mercury in dental amalgams can be released in vapours, metallic ions, and fine particles. For some, mercury uptake from amalgams may be relatively low, but appears to be released more through brushing the teeth or chewing, especially gum chewing and teeth-grinding. The World Health Organization considers dental amalgams a significant potential source of elemental mercury exposure (see http://64.233.167. 104/u/who’q=cache:CeDTz0a7lcsJ:www.who.int/entity/ipcs/publications/cicad/en/cicad50.pdf+mercury&hl=en&ie=UTF-8).
The use of mercury amalgams has been on the decline in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, thanks to forward-thinking dentists.
Regiani is vigilant about ensuring the water in his practice is pure, and that mercury from dental extractions is contained before it contaminates local groundwater.
The impact of health and nutrition on dentistry is also a focus. Hygienists are trained in nutritional counseling, says Regiani, and a defibrillator hangs in the hallway in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
The office is noticeably free of most dental office smells, since phenols are replaced with safe substances.
For patients who want them, herbs and homeopathy are integrated into dental practices.
Less X-ray exposure is also emphasized through the use of digital equipment, says Regiani.
Plaque samples are evaluated for bacteria and parasites on site. Similar to medical-surgical policies, analyzing for infection allows tissue to be treated prior to invasive procedures.
Regiani doesn’t use fluoride in his practice, as high levels of fluoride have been preliminarily linked with adverse health effects (see http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/fluorosis/en/ and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/uery.fcgi’cmd=Retrieve&db=Pub Med&list_uids=447892&dopt=Abstract)
‘We base what we do on science,? he says.
Regiani is one of the founders of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (see www.IAOMT.com), which now has 11 chapters in countries around the world. Their motto: ‘Show me the science?.
Dr. Regiani is currently accepting adults and children as patients, and works with all types of insurance.
Although neglected dental problems may initially be costly to resolve, after dental needs are brought up to date, most uninsured patients can maintain dental health at a reasonable cost, he says.
Dr. David Regiani’s newly-renovated office is located at 101 South St. in downtown Ortonville. Call (248) 627-4934.