For Dr. Tortora the joy of dental practice is transforming a mouth to healthy function and getting to know the patient as a person, developing a working relationship. Very often people think of holistic dentistry as offering a magic natural cure for all their oral woes, I take a different view. In my practice, holistic dentistry means integrating all of the myriad factors that affect oral health and addressing them in a logical way based on existing knowledge. It also means informing patients of the toxic and infectious burden that poor oral health can put on their systemic well being. A distinction is made as to how much scientific evidence exists to support the advice given. Holistic dentistry is not well represented by the use of unproven techniques simply because they sound esoteric and "holistic" or "natural". This approach undermines the value of the service I can provide and infringes on the assumed trust that patients have in me. The concept of wholeness is inseparable from quality dental care. One's self-esteem, self-image, financial well being are only some of the areas that are addressed with each patient. By using techniques and procedures that eliminate or minimize the toxic burden from the oral cavity, I believe I can raise one's total wellness. Establishing an attractive smile can improve one's self-image and be emotionally and spiritually uplifting. Through a commitment to excellence in dentistry, I can bring a higher level of holistic health to my patients. Those in the holistic community, being aware of this, have sought mercury-free alternatives and amalgam removal procedures. Also, by using only high gold content alloys in crowns, bridges, and inlays he has avoided exposing his patients to nickel and beryllium as well. With today's technology the durability of composite resins is now approaching that achieved with amalgam in years passed. It is an exciting time in mercury-free dentistry. You can learn more about tooth-colored (composite) fillings in our services section.
