I’ve been going through my dental insurance provider book with a fine-toothed comb. I can’t find a holistic dentist anywhere. Does this mean insurance doesn’t cover holistic dentists? If that’s the case, what’s the best type of dentist to go to in order to change my amalgam fillings to white fillings?
Brianna
Dear Brianna,
The reason you’re having trouble finding a holistic dentist in your provider handbook isn’t because they’re not covered by insurance. It’s actually because Holistic Dentistry isn’t a specialty. There are very few actual dental specialties. In fact, not even cosmetic dentistry is a specialty though many dentists think it should be for the protection of patients. They need to know who are actually artistic, skilled cosmetic dentists and who aren’t.
Holistic dental care is more of a philosophy than anything else. In general, it means that dentists consider how everything they do affects your overall health and not just your teeth. If you’re looking for someone to switch out your fillings for mercury-free fillings, they’re the right dentists to go to. They’ll know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal, protecting you from any mercury vapors.
Finding a Holistic Dentist
Most dentists who practice with a holistic outlook will say so on their website somewhere. So, doing a simple internet search should give you a pretty fair sized list of them. From there, it’s just a matter of cross-referencing those dentists with your insurance guide.
I would take one additional step before spending money on a new patient appointment. Always, always, always check their reviews. People often write reviews for fantastic as well as distressing appointments. Either one will be helpful to you.
If You Can’t Find a Holistic Dentist
Those who live in small towns may find it difficult to locate a holistic dentist. If that’s your situation, don’t panic. You’ll still be able to have your amalgam fillings safely removed. Your next search should be for a mercury-free dentist. They will only place white fillings and almost all of them understand the removal procedure.
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