Cosmetic & Holistic Dentistry Services

Sapphire Teeth Whitening

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile, and there’s no easier way to attain this than through tooth whitening.  We offer both at-home whitening, and in-office whitening.  The in-office system we have chosen is the Sapphire teeth whitening system.  Unlike the Zoom whitening system, which uses ultraviolet light, Sapphire whitening uses a plasma arc light to activate the whitening gel.  Now in just a little more than 1 hour, you can have a brighter smile that you can be proud of!  Ask us about Sapphire teeth whitening!

Porcelain Fillings & Mercury Amalgam Removal

Amalgam Replacement

 

 

 

 

Mercury is toxic.  That’s a fact. Mercury is 15 times more toxic than arsenic.  How would you feel if your dentist told you he was going to place an arsenic filling in your mouth?  We feel the same way.

The American Dental Association stands behind the use of dental amalgam (mercury) fillings.  They also tell their dentists not to touch the material with their bare hands, as the mercury (about 50% of the content of amalgam fillings) will absorb through the skin.  But what about the tissues in your mouth?  Won’t it absorb there?  Your dentist is also told to keep the excess sealed in an airtight glass jar under x-ray fixer solution.  This is to keep the mercury vapor from evaporating into the room and affecting the dental personnel.  But what about the vapors released in your mouth?  They don’t seem concerned about that.

We are concerned.  Mercury is nasty stuff, and we don’t think it’s worth the risk to your health or ours.  There are better ways.  That’s why we haven’t placed a mercury filling in anyone’s mouth in well over 20 years – and never will!

Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, Implants & Cosmetic Imaging

When your desire is for the finest, most long-lasting, and most beautiful restorations available, we have the answers.  Today’s choices are plentiful, and include everything from gold to all-porcelain bonded restorations.  We even offer the newest no-preparation veneers you see so often advertised in the media!  Depending upon your circumstances and desires, we’ll help you select the restorative materials that are best for you.  And with cosmetic imaging, you can now see what the result will look like before beginning treatment!

Dr. Fritz’s training is extensive in the area of reconstructive dentistry.  Whether your needs are simple or complex, he can provide you with the best possible therapy that will help you achieve truly optimal dental health!

Please visit the following link for more information on some of the advanced level training Dr. Fritz has received: www.pankeydentist.org.

Root Canals

A controversial issue even among “holistic” dentists.  There are some “holistic” dentists who will routinely extract teeth which have had root canal therapy, saying that they always are a focal source of infection that has a negative effect on the rest of the body.

We don’t agree.

Part of being a “holistic” practitioner means that we don’t accept every “alternative” therapy that comes along, but choose to provide the therapies which we feel are in our patients’ best interest as far as their health is concerned.  Dr. Fritz has examined this issue closely, and has come to the conclusion that root canal therapy is indeed a valuable service that offers a significant health benefit to our patients.  And he is not alone on this issue.  Recently Dr. Fritz had the opportunity to spend time with one of the founders and past presidents of the Holistic Dental Association, and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.  A very well-respected dentist within “holistic” health circles, this dentist acknowledge when asked that he also offers root canal therapy (as do many “holistic” practitioners), and does not subscribe to the theory that they are harmful to a person’s health.  Many other “holistic” dentists agree as well.

See for yourself:  Here are before and after photos of teeth which have had root canal therapy.  Notice the healing that has occurred, and the new bone which has formed around the root surfaces.  This is dramatic evidence of healing – not disease.  If there were still residual infection/toxins as some claim, this type of healing would not occur.

Root Canal 1

Root Canal 2

Root Canal 3

Root Canal 4

 

 

 

There is nothing “holistic” or healthy about losing teeth.  Don’t fall into this trap about root canals being bad for you!

Laser Gum Therapy: LANAP

Laser Gum Disease TreatmentPeriodontal (gum) disease is an epidemic among our adult population, and the medical community has acknowledged that it is a causative factor in cardiovascular disease.  Some hospitals now have instituted a policy that no elective surgery will be performed upon any adult until they have visited a dentist and been certified to NOT have periodontal disease.

Now with the advent of the patented LANAP procedure, periodontal disease can be treated more successfully than ever, without the need for painful surgery.  An almost miraculous procedure, LANAP is the future of periodontal therapy!

We are proud to be one of only a handful of offices in the Phoenix metropolitan area licensed to offer LANAP for the non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease.

Visit this link for more information and an animated demonstration of the revolutionary LANAP procedure: www.millenniumdental.com.

Orthodontics, Orthopedics & TMJ Dysfunction

There are few things that can be more damaging to your health than having inadequate oxygenation of your body.  And few things can be more debilitating than a displaced jaw causing cranial nerve compression, migraine headaches, and spasms in the oro-facial muscles.

In our office, orthodontics goes well beyond just straightening crooked teeth (although we do that too!).  It also includes orthopedic therapy, which changes the size and position of the jaws, opening the airwary, and creating a more natural, healthy alignment of the jaws along with a more beautiful smile!   Form and function truly go hand-in-hand when it comes to straight teeth and healthy jaw joints.  And when orthopedic and orthodontic therapy are combined, extractions are almost never needed (except for those pesky wisdom teeth).

Visit our Gallery page for examples of Orthodontic/Orthopedic therapy.

Tooth Extractions & Full/Partial Dentures

In an ideal world, we’d never have to do these procedures.

But sometimes in the real world they are in a patient’s best interest.

We hope that you do not fall into this category.  But if you do, we offer these services.  Please see our denture page for more information about our unique denture technique.

Adult Conscious Sedation

For those of you who have anxieties about dental care (and there are LOTS of you!), conscious sedation offers a fabulous way to have the smile you always wanted, without the trauma you may have experienced in the past.

Taking a very safe little pill before treatment, and being monitored throughout your entire treatment, allows you to relax and cruise through your appointment.  The best part – you’ll have no memory of the experience the next day.

Ask us about Conscious Sedation.  It may be just what the doctor ordered!  Conscious Sedation is for ADULTS ONLY!    No one under 18 years old will be sedated using this method.

Please visit the following link for more information about oral conscious sedation www.sedationcare.com.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep ApneaSnoring isn’t just a noisy nuisance.  As well as being loud enough to disturb both sufferers and their families, snoring can also interrupt sleep and place pressure on relationships.

Apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more.  Many snorers also suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition where the muscles and tissues of the airway relax and collapse, or obstruct the airway, blocking air from flowing into the lungs.

OSA is a dangerous medical condition that is becoming increasingly common.  Today 17% of adults have OSA, and this is expected to reach 20% by the year 2010.  This is more than the number of adults who suffer from asthma, and almost as many as have diabetes.  Only 10% of adults with OSA have been diagnosed as having this condition.

It is now recognized that people who snore and/or have OSA have a MUCH higher risk of having high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, motor vehicle and work related accidents, poor job performance, depression, and family discord.  In fact, one study showed that people suffering from OSA are 23 TIMES more likely to have a heart attack.  And almost one in four adults will fall asleep behind the wheel of a moving vehicle during the year.

The good new is there are treatments available for snoring and OSA.  The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances as the first line treatment for snoring, and mild or moderate sleep apnea.  Oral appliances are also an option for those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine.

We are trained to work together with sleep physicians (and your medical insurance) to properly diagnose, treat, and monitor snoring and OSA.  Depending upon the severity of your condition, and your personal preference and tolerance, we will work together as a team to help you control your snoring or OSA as best as possible.

Please visit the following link for more information about how we can help treat snoring and sleep apnea: www.somnomed.com.

Preventive Dental Care

Preventative Oral CareLast, but certainly not least, we offer preventive care.  No matter what material we choose, or how well we do our job, nothing is better than what Nature has given you in the first place.  And there is nothing we can do that a patient can’t ruin through neglect of proper hygiene and preventive care.

Regular preventive care is a MUST for optimal health – of your entire body!  Each of us is different.  Our preventive staff will help you determine what type of care and what preventive interval is best for you!

Remember to brush and floss every day – just like Bob does!