For seven years, actor Dick Van Dyke suffered with pounding headaches, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and neurological symptoms. Doctors were at a loss; an MRI, a spinal tap, and other tests were all normal. Van Dyke finally resorted to a plea on Twitter: “‘ ‘Anyone got any ideas?’ “. It turned out that dental implants that replaced missing teeth were causing his symptoms. The root of the implants were titanium, a metal that is biocompatible for most people.
Although titanium is generally considered safe, one study showed that patients had severe health problems after receiving dental implants. Medical issues included neurological problems, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Once the implants were removed, the patients’ health improved dramatically.
Studies have also found that implanted titanium can cause abnormal cells to form, which could precede the beginning of oral cancer. Two articles published in the Journal of the American Dental Association indicated that dental implants either caused or aggravated oral cancers.
Zirconium dental implants, which use high-impact ceramic (zirconium oxide), are more compatible with the human body and may be a safer choice. “Zirconium is an inert metal, and zirconium implants are becoming more widely available in this country,” says Dr. Brownstein, a holistic doctor.
Dr. Brownstein says, “So, if you are suffering and not getting any answers, filling, root canals, and implants should be considered as possibly upsetting the electrical activity of the head and neck causing headaches, brain fog, and other symptoms people don’t ordinarily connect with dental implants.”
Monday, June 3, 2013
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The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is the largest holistic dental organization who is teaching dentists to safely remove mercury dental fillings and to use bio compatible materials with a patients immune system. There are blood tests one can take before introducting dental materials into the mouth that could possibly result in immune system disfunction and chronic health conditions.
DAMS, Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions is a patients support group that understands these issues and works to educate the public. DAMs works with holistic dental organization including the IAOMT and other dentists associated with other holistic dental organizations. Contact DAMS for an information packet and a list of dentists before any dental revisions.
Thanks Marie for your reminder.
I have been a member of both groups for many years and I can recommend both of them to anyone looking for holistic dental information and help.
Now the IAOMT is approving zirconia implants and I don’t know if these are that healthy. Both organizations would definitely tell you to avoid the metal implants.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
It is imperative this article get posted that the white plastic fillings and its
composite can cause Hives to some people it happened to me on two different occasions
Hi Russell,
Great comment and insight. Just because a dentist uses a white filling does not mean it is safe. You need to find a holistic dentist that can test you for sensitivity before placing a filling. The best test presently is the Clifford Reactivity Test. Also look for my upcoming blog concerning the ADA testing of white fillings showing they all have BPA contamination when placed in patients mouths. Porcelain and zirconia seem to be safer options.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
My wife has chronic migraines, and we believe we’ve pinpointed it to the dental implant she received about 1.5 years ago. Since then, she’s had mind numbing migraines daily. Doctors have been less than helpful, stating it couldn’t be the implant. It’s a little too coincidental… No history of migraines in 26 years, no brain trauma, and then nasty migraines manifest out of nowhere? Yeah it has to be the implant. It’s directly above the triggeminal nerve too. We’re scheduling the removal, but she’s worried it might not be the answer.
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the comment. I am sorry to hear that your wife is suffering from migraines. I don’t know that the new implant is the cause of your wife’s migraines but it should be looked into by a medical doctor and dentist familiar with the consequences of dental implants. Two resources to find these type of health care practitioners are: http://www.acam.org and http://www.iaomt.org .
If you decide to remove the implant, the bone around the implant needs to be cleaned out also with a cavitation surgery procedure. Find a dentist to perform this at the iaomt website.
The implant can block the body’s meridians and this would require an acupuncturist to rebalance and heal.
I will be praying for you both.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
Any updates on this ryan?Im worried the same for me too
Hi Dr. Lawrence,
Even if zirconia implant is tested to be compatible with someone, would you still be cautious, because the implant may block the body’s meridians in the area of the implant?
Thank you,
Dat.
Great comment Dat,
Yes, I would still be cautious with a zirconia implant. Implants have never been proven to be safe.
I would have to ask an acupuncturist to check the meridians of a patient with an implant to see if they were a problem. I have acupuncturists that can perform this check on the link page of this website.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
My father in law had implants done in October and has had severe head pain, insomnia and depression ever since. He has seemed the help of every professional you can think of, has had multiple tests and no one can find the root of the problem. He has asked to have the implants removed, but is receiving a lot of push back from the dentist, claiming that this can not be the problem. We are at our wits end. Any advice?
Dear Crissy,
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law’s difficulties.
I do not recommend implants and would recommend for him to remove them.
What he may need is to get his M.D.’s recommendation to have it removed. A dentist can not argue with an M.D.
Find a holistic M.D. (in groups like the ACAM, Oxidative or Functional Medicine groups) that know how damaging the implants are and have them tell the dentist to take them out.
An Acupuncturist that can diagnosis problems with implants in the body and may also be an option.
Most holistic dentists still do implants but some like me will remove them.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
Do you still remove dental implants. I just got dental implants not knowing how much damage they can do to your body. Now I want them out! Dr. That put them in said he would take them but it’s been a week since we have talk to him. He was contracted out to my local dentist office, and we have been trying to get this resolved. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long process to get them to do anything. I’ve had headaches and getting very depressed over the situation. Do you have any suggestions.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the great question. Sorry to hear about your reaction to your implant.
I have not removed an implant. I let the Oral Surgeons do this treatment. They have special tools and techniques to take them out. I refer to Dr. Sidal locally, in the Del Mar, CA area. Most Oral Surgeons in your own area can do the treatment but it is hard to find one willing to do it.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
It’s been 20 months that I’ve had pain after 8 titanium implants put in, but has gotten worse this past 6 months! Headaches, tired, jaw always aches. This is not normal for me. I’m healthy, usually energetic and have never had headaches! The dentist, Dr. Golpa from Vegas, will not return calls or respond to my 2 letters about having pain and needing help. This is a nightmare for me and others that don’t know what Titanium will do to their bodies! Do you know any lawyers doing dental malpractice? I’ve used every cent from my Home Equity Loan to have this done with no savings left. Teeth nightmares have caused me to be in debt!
Dear Adele,
Sorry to hear of your teeth and jaw problems. I would call the local dental society for guidance and help with this dentist’s work. For solutions to your teeth problems I would recommend looking into the holistic dental societies for guidance and treatment. They are the IAOMT.org, IABDM.org, AAOSH.org, and Holisticdental.org.
Good luck in your path to healing.
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
My mother 79 years old had 4 titanium dental implants and after 4 months she started having neurological problems. Choronic Depression, General Anxiety Disorder, Stress, insomnia, brain fog, auditory hellucinations and panic attacks because of sleep deprevation started happening after 8 months and it is so so difficult to take her to any doctor because of social anxiety now. I will by hook or crook take her to the dental surgeon next week and get them all out.
Dear Zulfiqar,
Sorry to hear of your mother’s problems. It sounds like she needs a holistic M.D. diagnosis and a holistic dentist. There are very few dentists that will take out implants. You may find one in the organizations of the IAOMT.org, IABDM.org, Holisticdentist.org and ACAM.org.
I wish you and your mother all the best.
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
I took my mothers 4 titanium implants out day before yesterday. It was very difficult to take her to the dentist ad she had developed neurological disorder. As i mentioned before that she had chronic insominia, brain fog and high blood pressure reaching 230/95. She had gone totally mad within an year after the implants. She had not sleept properly for the last 12 months. I new from the beginning that the reason for her neurological disorder were titanium implants, but nobody would even want to listen to me. I went to different doctors snd health authorities , everyone would say that i am talking rubish. But at last after 24 hours of the removal of the4 implants, thank God my mother is recovering. Sleeping like a baby without any sleeping pills or antipsychotic medicines. She is 80% fine. Just little depressed because of the facial swelling and hopefully she will be fine within a week. I am the happiest person on this earth. By profession i am a Senior Instructor of Information Systems in a Public University in United Arab Emirates, Middle East. This part of the wold dies not even have any idea whatdenral implants can do to their brain. I will be creating awareness here in future and will also call for a Global conference on this issue. Best of luck and healthy life to everyone. God Bless you all.
Thank God I got my mothers 4 implants out yesterday. It was a hell of a day. The surgery took two hours. I am so happy after 24 hours she is already back the way she was an year ago. She is sleeping like a baby. No more head pounding or Insominia. She is only stressed because of swelling and she cried a lot in the morning, but otherwise she is so calm because of deep sleep last night and there is no anxiety or helucinations at all. I am the happiest person on this earth today.
zulfiqar_aslam@yahoo.com
I’m not sure how to even State this properly I had 8 dental implants last summer had them removed two and a half weeks ago. I’m pretty sure I might be the most severe case of poisoning with the situation I suffered like I’ve never suffered in my life bilateral arthritis pain that could not be diagnosed after having these implants removed within two days the pain left my body I feel like I’m living in a miracle. Every Medical Professional told me not to I did what I knew to do because I read these articles online and also mr. Van Dyke’s I am completely out of pain and completely off of steroids and Methotrexate thank you Dick Van Dyke.
Now that I’m coming out from the other side and more coherent I have the blood work to prove before during and now just the after I’ll do it now and then again in 3 to 4 weeks so I’m thinking I can prove this and it will be my pleasure to continue to do blood work to show that my inflammatory markers are not elevated
WOW, after reading this…. I am a bit terrified. In 2000, I had dental implant surgery. MAJOR…. I lost all of my teeth when I was 20 years old. I had very weak teeth and the dentist told me I needed to have them all pulled and have dentures. I did not know any better and trusted him. This was in 1966. So I wore dentures until 2000. I heard about dental implants. Because I had so little bone left….. they completely cut my jaw free….. moved it forward….took bone from my hip and placed it in my jaw to build it up. After healing took place the placed 12 implants in my mouth. Within the last 9 months I have been so fatigued the by 12 noon…. all I want is to go to bed. I have horrible headaches everyday. My face hurts. I have no energy and have become “snappy”! I have no patience with anything or anyone. I have had a lot of vision problems and my eyes are not producing tears…..which causes even more pain. I seriously feel like I am slowly dying. I still work full time as a high school teacher. This has been a rough year with some really rough kids. I thought I was just under so much stress that it was making me feel that way. Then I stumbled across this page. It sounds like a lot of people are having issues? Suggestions are welcome…..They have been in for 18 years now.
Hi Susa,
Thanks for the reply to the implant article.
My suggestion would be to get advise from a medical practitioner that knows about implants and their effects on your body. This would be a medical doctor or doctor of osteopath that has expertise and experience in clinical or medical toxicology. The first place I would search is the http://www.acam.org website. The second place I would search is the functional or oxidative medicine websites for practitioners with expertise in this area.
Blessings in your search for optimal health,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
I hope this helps others, I am fifty years of age, I have never been ill in my life nor never taken medication and very fit as I run on a daily basis training for 10ks and half marathons but I too suffered from migraines & headaches plus other bad sensatations for an entire year until the crown was removed from my implant & then overnight the intolerable pressure and pains in my head dissipated. I had the implant screw in my mouth which tasted metallic with some discomfort removed and the remaining symptoms have cleared up more or less immediately. I might consider high strength ceramic implants in the future or just leave well alone, I’ll take my time to decide as I need to recover, rest & enjoy life again. Clearly a small proportion of people who have titanium implants have a intolerance to them. My life for 1 year has been a nightmare, it’s been so hard to function with a permanent headache day & night, ice pick migraine attacks at anytime without warning, shoulder/neck pain and a heaviness hanging over me all the time but since the extraction last Friday I feel my like my old self again, happy & relatively pain free!
Philip I have the same symptoms as you I would like to ask how are you now since having them removed
My husband had a dental implant in February. Ever since then he has no energy. He just wanted to sleep and lay in bed. He said he had a metal or chemical taste in his mouth and nothing tasted good. He has lost around 10 pounds because he isn’t eating much. We went to the doctor and they said his hemoglobin and hematocrit was out of range and that could be caused from sleep apnea which I haven’t noticed at night. After reading this article we had a patch test done at an allegist. It didn’t show that he was allergic to titanium but did show a severe reaction to Bishphenol A epoxy resin. We have a call in to the surgeon to see if this was used when putting in the implant. We called the dentist who put the tooth in and they said they don’t use that type of resin. He has always been in good health and ever since the implant he has no energy and hasn’t gone to work in 2 weeks because he is too weak. It keeps getting worse. Any suggestions on what to do?
Hi Lisa,
Sorry to hear of your husband’s health issues. From what you described it does not sound like a dental problem but a health problem. Go to your holistic M.D. and ask him/her to diagnosis his issues. He could also get help from an acupuncturist and a check of the dental meridians through the areas of his present and past root canal teeth and implants.
Blessings to you and your husband,
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
Hi Lisa I had the MELISA test done and I was not allergic to titanium either but all implants are alloys and he could be allergic to something else within the implant. I had mine removed after five plus years of headaches and it was the best thing I have done despite the fact its a front tooth and I have a gap at the moment. My advice is to see if it settles but if it doesn’t get it removed.