At Integrative Dental Solutions (IDS), doctors Ingo Mahn and Supriya Shetty are committed to providing holistic dental care and using materials and methods that are the most beneficial to the overall health of their patients. “Holistic dentistry is aware of how the health of the mouth affects overall health,” says Mahn. “An infection in your mouth has the potential to cause disease in another part of the body.” Holistic dentistry has long acknowledged a relationship between gum disease and other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and respiratory disease.

More than 10 years ago, while Mahn was performing cosmetic dentistry, he began his path toward a more natural practice. He found that mercury amalgam (commonly known as silver) fillings were not only potentially damaging to teeth, but were also unattractive. As time went on, he developed a reputation among patients that wanted a more natural approach, and they would often come to their appointments armed with information about the dangers of the mercury-based fillings.

Mahn says many people suffer for years with unexplained chronic symptoms, unaware that the symptoms may be a result of toxic metal poisoning or infection in the mouth, even as they search for optimal health in every other way. “Oral infections and toxic heavy metals are often left untreated, despite the adverse effects these conditions can present,” he explains.

According to Mahn, research indicates that exposure to dental mercury can be a serious health hazard because mercury is continuously released from the amalgam fillings. This can lead to a slow build-up of mercury in the organs, tissues and cells, especially if the patient is unable to properly rid the body of the toxin. Mahn explains that even short-term exposure to small amounts of mercury can cause symptoms such as fatigue, irritability and memory loss.

Amalgams can be removed, but it is critical to be done safely because the vapors and particles can enter the body if not extracted properly. Mahn and Shetty use the most advanced amalgam removal protocols to eliminate the old, mercury-based materials safely and painlessly and replace them with a biocompatible composite white filling material—an important part of the process.

“People are often surprised how much better they feel after these fillings are removed,” says Shetty. “Sometimes it’s gradual and sometimes it is dramatic.” She warns that people shouldn’t assume that just because their filling is white that it is healthy, because some dentists use non-biocompatible composites that contain toxic filler materials. IDS offers bio-compatibility testing of dental materials by an onsite naturopath.

IDS combines holistic dentistry with the very latest in dental technology, including CAD/CAM technology that allows the doctors to make long-lasting porcelain restorations in a single visit; a digital radiography system that reduces exposure from X-rays by up to 90 percent; and drill-free dentistry, or air abrasion, that prepares teeth using a stream of air and particles. They also perform non-surgical gum therapy, using lasers and ozone, to treat the cause of the problem, and oral surgery that utilizes holistic techniques—all in an effort to do what is best for the patient.

Mahn is so passionate about integrative care that in 2004, he earned a doctorate from Capital University of Integrative Medicine, in Washington, D.C., in order to better understand his patients and communicate more effectively with other healthcare practitioners. “I wanted to have a clear understanding of modalities such as energy-based therapies, acupuncture and cranial sacral therapy,” he explains. “It’s not something I practice, but if patients are to trust me with their health, I owe it to them to be as informed as possible.” He says it is important that patients and other practitioners consider holistic dentistry to be part of their integrative healthcare team.

Both doctors consider education a crucial aspect of their practice—for themselves and their patients. Each attends continuing education courses on a regular basis to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and procedures. “When a patient returns, shakes your hand and thanks you for improving their life, it makes you want to try that much harder,” says Mahn.

Integrative Dental Solutions is located at 23770 Capitol Dr., in Pewaukee. For more information, call 262-691-4555 or visit WiNaturalDentist.com.