Toothtruth. Frank Jerome, DDS

Following are some of the most common questions we receive.

How do I find a good dentist?
My dentist does not believe mercury fillings are bad but will change them for me if I insist. Should I?
Where is your office?
How much does it cost?
What are the materials you use?
Do I need to replace my crowns?
I do not want to wear partials.
Why are most dentists still using mercury?
What is the worst treatment done by dentists?
Why is it critical to clean the socket after an extraction?
What are cavitations?
How do you reconcile what you do with what Dr. Clark recommends?
What about the bacterium Clostridium?
What should I use to detox?
Should I drink fluoridated water?
What should I use for toothpaste?
Will my insurance pay for changing my fillings?
What does it cost more than the "usual and customary fee" to have fillings done?

Q: How do I find a good dentist?

A: It is not possible for me to recommend specific dentists, as I do not know what any individual dentists will do, but I will tell you where you can find lists of dentists who have varying beliefs.

It is important to inquire if a dentist will do what you want done. You should feel free to ask questions when you call. It is helpful to have your questions written down before you call so you do not forget anything.

Q: My dentist does not believe mercury fillings are bad but will change them for me if I insist. Should I?

A: Doing composites is much more difficult than mercury fillings. Experience is very important. It is common for dentists who are not familiar with these procedures to do them poorly, even leaving pieces of mercury under the fillings. It is common for such work to have to be redone. This doubles the expense and increases the risks to your teeth. It is also very probable that you will be exposed to more mercury than would be the case with a dentist who takes the proper precautions. Therefore, it would be beneficial to find a dentist with specific experience with composites.

Q: Where is your office?

A: My office is one hour directly south of Indianapolis, IN on I-65. 639 Washington Street Columbus, IN 47203 1-812-376-8525

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The costs vary so much it is impossible to give any estimates without seeing the patient. It is critical that you plan to get all the mercury out and not let a dentist talk you into crowning your teeth so that you run out of money before finishing. A plan must be made that you can understand everything and be sure that you can afford the costs before you start. Doing half will not remove half of the risk.

Q: What are the materials you use?

A: Espe was bought out by 3M. Visiofil was suddenly removed from the market last month because they wanted to streamline their product line. Finding a suitable replacement will not be easy. Compatibility testing may be the only way for an individual to find a material that is acceptable. I will post any new developments.

Crowns are Sculpture/Fibrekor or Targis/Vectris. Partials are made with Flexite. Dentures are methyl-methacrylate (clear with some pink for appearance).

Q: Do I need to replace my crowns?

A: We do not insist that patients do anything but all crowns have major problems. Most have metals which are of unknown composition. Even gold crowns have many other metals combined with the gold. Even if the metals are known, most are not really pure and have tagalong impurities which vary greatly. It is also impossible to know what is under the crowns. It is common for mercury to be left there. You may wish to do the mercury fillings first, but if you really want to clean your body of metals, it is necessary to remove the metal crowns.

Q: I do not want to wear partials.

A: It is common for patients to not want to wear partials. It is true that they are a compromise and you must take particular attention to keeping your teeth very clean. The alternatives are troublesome. Crowns, bridges, and implants all have many problems. Using any of them may cause further damage and more loss of tooth structure. Many people are wearing partials successfully. I have for a decade. I would not think to have any other type of dentistry done as the risks are too great.

Q: Why are most dentists still using mercury?

A: Most dentists take their lead from the American Dental Association which is a trade organization of dentists who use mercury. (At one time I, too, believed what they said about the safety of mercury). Until dentists face legal or governmental action, they will continue using mercury which is fast and convenient.

Q: What is the worst treatment done by dentists?

A: While mercury is toxic and can do terrible things to nerve tissue, it does it slowly over decades. The treatment that can have the biggest and fastest impact on the body is root canal therapy. The idea of keeping a dead, infected organ in the body is only thought to be a good idea by dentists. A root canal-treated tooth always negatively affects your immune system.

Q: Why is it critical to clean the socket after an extraction?

A: It is critical to remove all tissue remnants that can interfere with complete healing. This is rarely done. If any tissues are left, it is common for a cavitation to form. The problem with the tooth that was extracted may now be worse with the formation of a cavitation.

Q: What are cavitations?

A: Cavitations are cavities, caves, holes left in the bone where previous extractions have not completely healed. Once they form, the body cannot penetrate them to heal the bone without surgical intervention. In other words, for them to heal, they must be treated. Many dentists do not believe they exist. Some people believe the world is flat, too. They are easily visible on panographic x-rays. One text book called them healed sockets when they are really unhealed sockets. As with many concepts, the profession has it backwards.

Q: How do you reconcile what you do with what Dr. Clark recommends?

A: Dr. Clark is a researcher who is working with terminal patients. When they are this ill, it is necessary to do everything possible to save their lives. For patients who are not so ill or wish to keep from getting ill, other treatments are possible. Dentists are clinicians, not researchers. They must use treatments that are better know, if not common. To vary far from the norm opens a dentist up to action by the dental boards. It may not be possible to follow all of Dr. Clark's recommendations in America. It is our hope to try to make her treatments available to Americans in America. There are ongoing discussions to find solutions so that there are safe dental materials.

Q: What about the bacterium Clostridium?

A: This is a bacterium that can hide under fillings. It is so common that it has to be assumed to be under every filling. Controlling it might be possible. Eliminating it is impossible. Once any bacterium enters the body it will always be there waiting for an opportunity to multiply.

Q: What should I use to detox?

A: There are many people that once they remove their mercury fillings, want to try to remove the mercury that is in other places in their bodies. This can be a problem, as if the mercury is removed too quickly, you may get sick. All the symptoms you have tried to get rid of will come back with a vengeance. It is a good idea to give your body the nutrients that allow your body to get rid of the mercury without causing a flare-up of symptoms.

Q: Should I drink fluoridated water?

A: It is impossible to avoid getting fluorides in America because they are in most every food and drink, at even higher levels than recommended by the government. Almost everyone is saturated with fluoride so avoiding all the exposures you can is a good idea. (See LINKS for more information.)

Q: What should I use for toothpaste?

A: None! I use baking soda. It is possible to do a better job brushing with warm to hot water than with toothpastes. Most people do not spend enough time brushing. Toothpastes foam so much that people brush for only a few seconds, not enough to do a good job. Remember that flossing is really a toothbrush for between the teeth where most problems occur.

Q: Will my insurance pay for changing my fillings?

A: An insurance form asks for a procedure code. If the filling is done and the proper code is used, they are obligated to pay it. They are not obligated to pay if you change them for cosmetic reasons, which is the only way the American Dental Association says they should be changed. This makes it sound like they are working with the insurance companies to limit their liability.

Q: What does it cost more than the "usual and customary fee" to have fillings done?

A: The insurance companies can make up a fee scale they pay and do not have to justify how they determined the fees they will pay. It is of course to their advantage to pay as little as possible. To cover their low payments, they blame the dentists for charging too much. They can also switch insurance codes so they pay for a lesser service. For instance, they are billed for a composite but a mercury filling is cheaper so they will switch the code from composite filling to mercury filling and pay the lesser amount. Again, they blame the dentists so the patient does not get mad at them.

Disclaimer:
Unless presented otherwise, the opinions and conclusions expressed in this book are mine and mine alone. They are based upon observations that I have made while practicing my profession. Please understand that I cannot be responsible for any adverse effects believed due to the use of information in this book. You should be guided by your own dentist or physician, whom you may wish to educate by providing a copy of the Tooth Truth book. Dr. Frank Jerome.