HOLISTIC DENTAL CENTERS
W. Carl McMillan, DMD
For further information, contact:
W. CARL McMILLAN, DMD, ND
HOLISTIC DENTAL CENTERS – CARY
1110 SE Cary Parkway, Suite 206
Cary, NC 27518
Telephone: (919) 865-0700
and
Cornelius at Lake Norman
20905 Torrence Chapel Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
Telephone: (704) 765-3150
The three Rs of dental health take on special meaning when seen through the lens of a holistic dentist. “Holistic dentistry,” explains, Dr. Carl McMillan of Holistic Dental Centers in Cary, “is simply the acknowledgement that dental health and overall physical health are inextricably linked and profoundly impacted by toxins in our environment. One goal always is to see the safest, least toxic way to provide dental care.” From that perspective, Dr. McMillan reflects on rehabilitation, rejuvenation, and relaxation in holistic dentistry.
Rehabilitation
“I would say that the rehabpatient is more often the holistic patient,” observes Dr. McMillan. “These are the people who come to this practice because they have gotten to a point in life where they appreciate the connections between the many parts of their lives and their health.
“Typically, that patient is a 45-65-year-old who has had lots of dentistry—amalgams, root canals, crowns, maybe bridges, some extractions, maybe an implant. They’ve learned that mercury and other metals are not healthy for you. They come here because ‘rehab’ means they want help to get a healthier mouth, a healthier body, and maybe prevent some things down the road. That could mean getting rid of amalgam, preventing another root canal, replacing missing teeth, or because they’re concerned about toxins. What’s true is that they’re looking for whole body dental health.”
The Root Canal:
A Holistic Perspective
Root canal procedures (endodontic therapy), explains Dr. McMillan, are commonly prescribed when the nerve of a tooth becomes irreversibly damaged or infected. The major advantage of the root canal is that it preserves the existing natural tooth structure while providing relief from any pain or discomfort caused by infection.
“This is important because our teeth are so important. They’re little organs, and they not only function as a critical part of the digestive system—chewing and sizing our food—but they also provide important neurological neuromuscular feedback to the brain through the cranial nerves to give us stability.
“But for many holistic dentists—myself included—root canals are not a good idea and are potentially harmful.
“Why? Because a tooth is not a solid mass; it’s a little organ. It has miles and miles of tiny tubes, called dental tubules, that run through it. These tubules are microscopic, so there’s no way to clean them or sterilize them once they’ve been invaded by bacteria.
“A root canal does solve the problem of an infected tooth,” he says, “by removing the diseased pulp from inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting it, then filling and sealing it. However, once a tooth has had a root canal, it’s a dead tooth. It has no blood supply, no oxygen, no ‘garbage disposal’ system. And that’s a problem, because we all have plenty of bugs—good and bad—swimming in our saliva and around the gums. The ‘bad’ bugs are in very, very small numbers. However, a dead tooth provides an anaerobic, moist, warm, dark environment that is a perfect breeding ground for those bad bugs. So even the best root canal will become reinfected later.
“So, from a holistic perspective, we don’t believe that a root canal is ever a hundred percent sterile. And by harboring these bad bugs that produce toxins, it keeps your immune system in an uproar all the time.” Therefore, the best option—holistically—is to prevent root canal, he says, “and when you can’t, the next best option is to take out the root canal tooth and replace it. And today we have great ways to replace teeth—with zirconia implants or bridges—and thus restore that structural function and neurofeedback to the brain.”
Evaluation and a Plan
The rehab process for such a patient, Dr. McMillan explains, begins with a comprehensive evaluation and a plan. “In addition to a thorough physical evaluation, a critical component is the conversation. I talk with them about their desires and listen to their concerns. I need to know what they want and don’t want, and what worries them. Everybody wants something different. Maybe they don’t necessarily want their entire mouth redone, but some people do. Some people just say, ‘I want you to help me keep what I have as healthy as possible.
“Based on the examination and consultation we develop a treatment plan—one that reflects what they want and how they feel we can help them. It’s not uncommon for patients to be surprised at this approach; it may be the first time a dentist ever asked them ‘How can we help you? What would you like from us?’ But that’s part of holistic dentistry, too. Because we’re not just treating the teeth, we’re treating a human being that has a physical body, a spiritual body, and a mental body.”
An essential part of this process, Dr. McMillan emphasizes, is that the patient has options. “Root canals are a good example. My patients may come here knowing they don’t want a root canal, and I will tell them that I don’t believe in root canals (see box). Nonetheless, I still want them to know that a root canal is an option, and I want them to understand the pros and cons related to all options. The choice should be theirs.”
Rejuvenation
The perspective of the holistic dentist influences aesthetic choices as well, notes Dr. McMillan. “Because we understand the profound impact of toxins on dental health—on whole body health—holistic dentists place a priority on finding the safest, least toxic way to provide dental care. And that certainly relates to teeth whitening products and procedures.
“Most dental whitening is relatively safe,” he says. “And I say ‘relatively’ safe because there are so many different products available, and some can be harmful. Teeth whitening products dispensed by dentists are controlled as a pharmaceutical product by the FDA and, consequently, the pH is closely controlled to keep them neutral or slightly alkaline, so we’re not removing tooth mineral during the whitening process.
“The whiteners sold as cosmetics over the counter—and not as controlled drugs—are less reliable. So, the best advice I can offer is to use whiteners dispensed by dentists.”
Relaxation
“Two things come to mind,” says Dr. McMillan, “when I think about the word relaxation and my holistic practice. First, is the issue of pain. I know that many people have a high level of anxiety about dentistry, fearing a painful, stressful experience. But I want all my patients to come to this office with the reasonable expectation that they will not have any real discomfort, regardless of what we will be doing. I can say this with confidence, because of the advances in instruments and medications that I have adopted, and the priority we place on safe, non-toxic procedures.” The second aspect of ‘relaxation’ is an attitude characteristic of holistic medical practice. “I want my patients to be comfortable, not just physically but mentally and emotionally,” he says. “Often the options for treating dental problems are complex, and the choices we make need to take many things into consideration. So, when I offer options and advice, I also tell my patients “Look, don’t just believe me. We’re all gifted with a peaceful inner spirit; go to that place. Listen to that voice, relax, and make the best decision for yourself. Rely on me for as much information and understanding as you need, but don’t let me pressure you into making a decision that you’re not comfortable with.”