Are x-rays safe?

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We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment on a daily basis. Digital x-rays currently produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to film x-rays. Dr. Mallery is very conservative when it comes to taking x-rays, see our radiation section for more information. 

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Are amalgam fillings safe?

 

Amalgam fillings are compromised of not only silver, but mercury and various trace metals. Mercury is a toxic material which can be absorbed into the blood stream if disturbed during application and removal. Dr. Mallery does not use mercury-silver amalgam for fillings and we do offer "Safe Amalgam Removal" in our office which includes a vacuum and ventilation system for patients and clinicians as well as rubber dam isolation.

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Root Canal Therapy, is it worth it?

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Root canal therapy is a traditional procedure that in most cases has been proven safe and effective. However, there have been cases in which root canal therapy has failed. The holistic belief is that root canal therapy cannot be effective unless the canal is 100% sterilized and cleaned of all bacteria. Some studies over the years have shown that it is impossible to completely sterilize the canal. It can also be argued that the chemicals used for the sterilization process may be toxic and lead to health affects later on in life.

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese discovered that the human body was flowing with an energy they called Qi (pronounced “chi”). They also found ways to measure Qi and mapped out the network of pathways on which it flowed. These pathways are called meridians.

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According to holistic medicine, the flow of Qi is essential to good health. In a healthy body, it flows smoothly. If that flow is disturbed, disease may result.

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The meridians connect particular organs together to create balance. Every yin organ is paired with a yang organ – liver with gall bladder, lungs with large intestine, kidney with bladder, stomach with spleen, heart with small intestine, and so on. The meridians likewise connect each tooth to specific organs.

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The easiest way to see the meridians connecting the organs and teeth is to consider one tooth at a time. Looking at a meridian tooth chart, you can find the appropriate tooth and follow the blocks vertically, or you may locate an organ that will lead you to the corresponding tooth. As you look at the chart, you will notice that the maxillary molars and mandibular bicuspids cross the same meridians.

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Every tooth has a meridian going to it. There are 12 meridians in total, and each of the 32 teeth are represented on them. The bicuspids share one meridian; the molars share another; the anterior (front) teeth, yet another. The maxillary bicuspids share with the mandibular molars, and the maxillary molars share with the mandibular bicuspids.

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Think of a meridian as a giant freeway making a circle around a city. There are several exit and entrance ramps. These ramps allow energy to flow from the meridian to the organ and from the organ back to the meridian.

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While Dr. Mallery does not use the meridian tooth chart to diagnose correlating issues in patients, it is interesting to see a connection that is often found when comparing a patient's tooth to the meridian chart.

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