Welcome to my practice. I am Dr. Bruce Vafa, and today I want to take you on a deep dive into the foundation of my dental philosophy: the materials we put into your body. When you sit in my dental chair, you aren’t just a set of teeth to me; you are a whole person. Your oral health is intimately connected to your immune system, your digestion, and your overall vitality. This is why I have dedicated my career to being a biocompatible dentist.
You might be wondering, what exactly does that mean? In simple terms, it means I only use materials that are non-toxic and friendly to your body’s biology. For decades, dentistry relied on heavy metals and harsh chemicals. While they fixed the immediate mechanical problem, we didn’t always understand how they interacted with the rest of the body. Today, thanks to incredible advancements in science and technology, we have better choices. Choices that look better, last longer, and—most importantly—support your long-term health.
In this article, I am going to walk you through the specific materials I choose to use in my clinic, why I chose them, and how they benefit you.
Understanding the “Bio” in Biocompatible Dentistry
Before we look at specific materials, it is important to understand the concept of biocompatibility. If a material is biocompatible, it means it can exist in your body without causing an allergic reaction, an immune response, or toxicity. The mouth is a very harsh environment. Materials there have to withstand extreme biting forces, temperature changes from hot coffee to cold ice cream, and a constantly changing pH level.
As a biocompatible dentist, my goal is to ensure that whatever restoration I place in your mouth—whether it is a filling, a crown, or an implant—acts as a neutral or beneficial partner to your body. We want to avoid materials that might release particles into your bloodstream or cause your gums to become inflamed. We treat the tooth, but we respect the body.
The Shift Away from Metal: Why It Matters
For over a century, “silver” amalgam fillings were the standard. However, we now know that these fillings are roughly 50% mercury. Mercury is a heavy metal that can be toxic in high quantities. While the debate on amalgam safety continues in some circles, I prefer to err on the side of caution and total safety.
Furthermore, metals in the mouth can sometimes act like a battery. If you have gold in one tooth and mercury amalgam in another, and saliva acts as a conductor, you can experience “galvanism.” This is a tiny electrical current that can cause sensitivity, a metallic taste, and irritation. By moving toward metal-free dentistry, we eliminate these electrical disturbances.
Data Point: Metal Sensitivities
According to recent dermatological studies, it is estimated that approximately 10% to 15% of the general population suffers from a metal hypersensitivity, with nickel and mercury being among the most common triggers. By eliminating metals, we instantly remove this risk factor for a significant portion of my patients.
Composite Resins: The Safe Filling Alternative
When you have a cavity, you want it fixed quickly, and you want it to look natural. This is where composite resins come into play. These are tooth-colored fillings made from a mixture of plastic (acrylic) and fine glass particles. But not all composites are created equal.
In my practice, I am very selective about the brand and chemical makeup of the resins I use. A major concern in plastics is BPA (Bisphenol A), a chemical that can disrupt hormones. I strictly use BPA-free composite resins.
These modern composites offer several advantages:
- Chemical Safety: They do not leach mercury or BPA.
- Conservation of Tooth Structure: Unlike metal fillings, which require the dentist to drill away a lot of healthy tooth to create a “lock,” composite bonds directly to the tooth. This means I can drill less and keep more of your natural enamel intact.
- Flexibility: The material expands and contracts at a rate very similar to your natural tooth structure. This prevents the tooth from cracking, which is a common problem with old metal fillings that expand too much when you drink hot liquids.
Zirconia: The Diamond of Dentistry
If you need something stronger than a filling, such as a crown or a bridge, or even a dental implant, my material of choice is often Zirconia (Zirconium Dioxide). Despite the name sounding like a metal, Zirconia is actually a type of ceramic. It is a white, crystalline oxide of zirconium.
Zirconia is revolutionary for a few reasons:
1. Incredible Strength
Zirconia is often referred to as “ceramic steel.” It is incredibly resistant to wear and tear. In the past, porcelain crowns were brittle and prone to chipping. Zirconia solves this problem. It can withstand the intense pressure of chewing and grinding, making it suitable even for back teeth (molars).
2. Gum Tissue Health
This is where the “biocompatible” part really shines. Your gums love Zirconia. When we place traditional metal crowns, the gum tissue sometimes recedes or pulls away from the metal, leaving a dark line near the gum. With Zirconia, the soft tissue tends to grow up against the ceramic very comfortably. It accumulates less plaque than titanium or gold, which helps prevent gum disease around the restoration.
3. Aesthetics
Because it is white and translucent, Zirconia mimics the look of natural teeth perfectly. There is no gray metal underneath that needs to be hidden, so the light passes through it just like it does through natural enamel.
Ceramic Implants vs. Titanium Implants
Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. For a long time, titanium was the only option. While titanium is generally safe, some patients have sensitivities to it, or they simply do not want metal in their jawbone. As a biocompatible dentist, I am proud to offer Zirconia (Ceramic) Implants.
Zirconia implants are a one-piece or two-piece ceramic screw that goes into the jawbone. Because they are non-metal, they are hypoallergenic. They are perfect for patients with thin gums who might otherwise see the gray shadow of a titanium implant showing through. More importantly, they resist corrosion. Titanium can sometimes corrode over decades in the wet, saline environment of the body, but Zirconia remains chemically stable forever.
Data Point: Success Rates
You might worry that a newer material isn’t as effective, but the data is on our side. Recent clinical reviews indicate that Zirconia implants have an osseointegration (bone healing) success rate of over 97%, which is statistically comparable to traditional titanium implants.
For more information on the efficacy of ceramic materials in medical settings, you can read this comprehensive overview from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Porcelain Veneers and Onlays
For cosmetic work, or for repairing large areas of decay without grinding the tooth down for a full crown, I use medical-grade porcelain. Porcelain is essentially a type of glass. It is incredibly inert, meaning it does not react with chemicals in your mouth.
When I place a porcelain veneer or onlay, I am looking for the highest level of aesthetics and tissue compatibility. The porcelain materials we use today are feldspathic or lithium disilicate (E.max). These materials are:
- Stain Resistant: Unlike natural teeth or resin, high-quality porcelain does not absorb food dyes easily.
- Non-Porous: Bacteria cannot hide inside the material.
- Beautifully Natural: We can match the shade, translucency, and texture of your surrounding teeth so perfectly that no one will know you had dental work done.
Bioceramics for Root Canals and Pulp Therapy
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a tooth gets an infection deep inside the nerve. If we decide to save the tooth with root canal therapy or pulp capping, the material we use to seal the tooth is critical.
In the past, dentists used gutta-percha (a rubber material) and sealers that could sometimes be irritating. In my practice, I utilize Bioceramic Sealers. These are materials composed of calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, and calcium hydroxide.
Why are bioceramics amazing?
- Bioactivity: They actually stimulate the body to repair bone and tissue. They release calcium ions that help form hydroxyapatite (the mineral bone is made of).
- Antibacterial: They have a high pH (alkaline), which kills bacteria and prevents reinfection.
- Tight Seal: They bond chemically to the dentin of the root, creating a seal that bacteria cannot penetrate.
Testing for Compatibility: The Clifford Test
You are unique. What works for 99% of the population might not work for you. That is why I don’t just guess; I can test. For patients with a history of severe allergies, autoimmune diseases, or chemical sensitivities, I recommend biocompatibility testing, often known as the Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing (CMRT) or similar blood panels.
This involves a simple blood draw. The laboratory analyzes your blood against thousands of dental materials to see if your immune system reacts negatively to them. This gives me a detailed report telling me exactly which brand of composite, which type of ceramic, and which cement is safest for your specific physiology.
This takes the guesswork out of dentistry. It gives us peace of mind knowing that we are not introducing an allergen into your system that could cause chronic inflammation.
The Protocol for Removal
Being a biocompatible dentist isn’t just about putting good things in; it is also about taking bad things out safely. If you decide to have your old mercury amalgam fillings replaced with biocompatible composite or porcelain, we cannot just drill them out carelessly. That would release a massive cloud of mercury vapor that you and I would both inhale.
I follow strict safety protocols (often referred to as the SMART protocol). This includes:
- Using a rubber dam to isolate the tooth so you don’t swallow particles.
- Providing you with a separate oxygen supply so you don’t breathe the air near the tooth during drilling.
- Using high-volume suction and specialized air filtration systems in the room.
- Sectioning the filling to remove it in large chunks rather than grinding it all into dust.
This ensures that the transition to biocompatible materials is a safe and healthy process for your entire body.
Why This Approach Saves You Money
I know that sometimes high-quality materials like Zirconia or specialized ceramics can have a higher upfront cost than cheap metals. However, I want you to think about the long-term value. Biocompatible materials are designed to last.
When we use materials that the gums tolerate well, we reduce the risk of gum recession and recurrent decay. When we use materials that bond to the tooth, we prevent fractures that could lead to tooth loss. When we avoid toxins, we support your systemic health, potentially saving you from other medical issues down the road.
Investing in biocompatible dentistry is investing in a future where you spend less time in the dental chair and more time enjoying your life.
Your Journey to Holistic Health
I hope this guide has given you a clear understanding of the “tools of my trade.” As a biocompatible dentist, my loyalty is to your health. I believe that you deserve dental care that is as safe as it is effective. We have moved past the era of toxic metals and one-size-fits-all solutions.
By choosing materials like BPA-free composites, Zirconia, and bioceramics, we are respecting the complex biology of the human body. We are ensuring that your smile is not just beautiful on the outside, but healthy on the inside.
If you have questions about specific materials or if you are concerned about existing metal restorations in your mouth, I invite you to come in for a consultation. Let’s discuss your health history, your goals, and how we can use the best materials in modern science to create a smile that supports your total well-being.