Since 1992, Dr Alannah Freer has developed her practice around the concept of holistic dentistry. She was one of the first dentists in Brisbane to take this approach and continues to improve holistic treatment techniques and services as new information and technologies become available.
Holistic dentistry is an approach to dental care that takes into account:
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At Dent8 Dental, we love supporting anxious patients to help you have a good experience of dental care.
For some patients, going to the dentist may cause so much stress or anxiety that even making an appointment can feel nearly impossible.
We recognise that and adjust our approach to help you feel at ease. Our experienced, empathetic dentists have a high level of awareness about dental anxiety. We work with you to gain your trust and make you feel as comfortable as possible.
And it works. Many patients who normally need sedation come to Dent8 and feel comfortable enough to have their dental treatments performed without sedation.
Dental amalgam is a filling material used in dentistry for over 165 years. It’s made from a mix of powdered silver, tin and other metals, which are then mixed with liquid mercury in a 1:1 ratio.
Mercury is known to be an extremely toxic heavy metal and can reduce kidney, liver and thyroid function. Ingesting mercury can be related to depression and mood swings. It can also interfere with immune system function and is implicated in many nervous system disorders. Long-term exposure to mercury from dental amalgam can be as harmful to the gut microbiome as frequent antibiotic use.
We used to think that the mercury was contained within the amalgam when it was used to fill cavities in your teeth. However, research has since shown that mercury amalgam fillings degrade during chewing, grinding and from consuming hot foods and drinks. The mercury is then released into your body as vapour.
Over time, that mercury accumulates in tissues like your thyroid, kidneys, uterus and brain. It can also affect a developing foetus if you’re pregnant. (Vimy, Lorsceider)
The World Health Organization (2017) states that mercury is toxic in small amounts, especially to the developing foetus. WHO recommends that its use should be phased down over time within industry, medicine and dentistry.
Amalgam removal involves carefully drilling out silver fillings that contain dental mercury. The rate at which amalgams are replaced depends on the individual and should be carefully discerned.
Whenever an amalgam filling is drilled or replaced mercury vapour is released. You would normally inhale this and absorb it into your body without special measures. To remove amalgam fillings without following the correct protocol is more dangerous than leaving it in the mouth. Incorrect amalgam removal increases your mercury poisoning risk dramatically.
That’s why we follow the safe mercury amalgam removal technique (SMART) protocol, recommended by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicity (IAOMT). This includes but is not limited to, using a rubber dam, air filtration and nasal medical air to reduce exposure to mercury vapour.
This is a new, imaging system that shows early decay without the use of X-rays.
Diagnocam uses transillumination with infrared light to detect changes in the enamel and dentine of teeth without the use of ionizing radiation.
This is particularly useful for children and pregnant women where we try to avoid X-rays.
This technology is very useful for helping prevent the progression of early changes in enamel by highlighting to parents and children, the importance of flossing, avoiding acid and sugar.
It has been a very powerful tool in educating all our patients in preventive dental care.
At Dent8 Dental, we recognise that some people can be sensitive to the ingredients in certain dental materials. We aim to provide the safest dental materials available and continually source these products and technologies.
Because of our commitment to holistic dentistry, we use:
Restorations, or composites, are white resin fillings that are used to support the structure of teeth.
Fillings are required when there is decay or a crack through a tooth. We recommend 6 monthly or annual checkups to ensure that any decay or issues can be detected early and rectified as soon as possible.
If you are aware that your teeth may be susceptible to breakage or are worried about the state of a tooth, it is always best to have it examined by one of our experienced holistic dentists to get all of your treatment options outlined.
Fissure seals are a type of shallow filling that may be put in children’s mouths as a preventative measure. This may be due to deep grooves in the teeth that can trap food and cause decay or even just early caries (the beginning of a cavity or decay). This turns into a filling once a certain proportion of the tooth has become decayed or broken and needs more of a supporting structure.
If you would like more in-depth information about fillings and our dental materials and their composition, please call us on 3871 3035 or email us at info@dent8.net.au. We are happy to help in any way we can.
Good dental care involves a regular dental clean to remove all the built-up plaque and calculus from your teeth. It also involves a thorough check of your gums.
Dental cleaning helps to immediately improve your dental health. Dental cleaning gives dentists time to identify which areas of the mouth you find harder to clean. This means that areas vulnerable to dental decay, such as cavities, can be identified. A prevention plan will then be discussed with you to help you keep and maintain your dental hygiene.
In healthy mouths, teeth are regularly bathed in saliva. Saliva contains calcium and other substances that help strengthen and protect the teeth. Despite the positive elements of saliva, we tend to get a build-up of calcium on the teeth from it. This chalky substance will eventually form over time, like limescale in a pipe or kettle.
If the plaque and tartar is left to build up on the teeth it will provide a surface for bacteria to thrive on. This results in bad breath and can produce gum disease. If these are left untreated, root canals, tooth extraction and other dental treatments may be necessary.
Dental cleaning will remove the build-up of hard deposits and help prevent dental problems. It will leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria is unable to stick to them. When you have had a dental clean you will instantly notice the surfaces of your teeth feel smoother. After cleaning, we apply a remineralising paste containing minerals that help restore calcium hydroxyapatite. Your mouth will certainly feel fresher too following a professional dental clean!
Gum recession is a common problem usually from incorrect brushing. It can also be associated with bruxism (grinding), or with systemic illness.
Disease of the gums (periodontal disease) may be present with gum pockets greater than 2-3 mms. It is important to identify if you are susceptible to periodontal disease as it is associated with other systemic diseases. These include the likes of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature birth.
The dental cleaning process involves the thorough removal of plaque (a soft, sticky, film of bacteria) and tartar (calculus).
We have a variety of cleaning technologies (Prophy-Jet, Periomate) that reduce the discomfort of this procedure. At the same time, we give an outstanding clean with reduced cold sensitivity. Patient education is an important part of our practice.
Our teeth cleaning service ensures your smile remains gorgeous, prevents plaque build-up and sustains good oral health.
| Monday | 8am – 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am – 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am – 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am – 5pm |
| Friday | 8am – 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am – 1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
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