HOLISTIC DENTISTRY · WEST LOS ANGELES

Biocompatible Materials

Material selection should account for the tooth, treatment goals, and your health history. At Alchemy Dental in West Los Angeles, I discuss the practical choices and limitations of dental materials.

Materials I use at Alchemy Dental

I choose each material for its role in your treatment.

VOCO Admira Fusion

How I use it
Tooth-colored fillings
For repairing cavities and areas of tooth damage.

Material base
Ceramic-based ORMOCER technology.

Key benefits
Natural-looking shades, a polishable surface, and low shrinkage as it hardens.

Conventional monomers
Formulated without Bis-GMA, UDMA, or TEGDMA.

Material approach
A ceramic-based alternative to conventional composite chemistry.

Ceramic Porcelain/Zirconia

How I use it
Crowns, Inlays & Onlays
Custom lab made restorations that rebuild and protect extensively damaged teeth.

Material base
Porcelain-Emax | Zirconia—a strong oxide ceramic.

Key benefits
Tooth-colored restorations with a natural appearance and no metal substructure or dark metal edge.

Metal-free benefits
All-ceramic restorations avoid the metal alloys used in conventional metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, including nickel-containing alloys—a consideration for patients with a diagnosed metal allergy.

My holistic approach
I choose ceramic materials to balance tissue compatibility, strength, and appearance. The ceramic type and bonding materials are selected for your tooth, bite, and health history.

DR. SYRUS’S PERSPECTIVE

Previously there use to be a much harder balance with choosing materials. You would have to compromise esthetics over strength, strength over esthetics, or holistic vs durability. Now the material science has come such a long way that the newer materials don’t have to compromise in any category. You can have a restoration that is holistic, long-lasting, esthetic, and durable.

Dr. Syrus Elicus · Alchemy Dental

What to expect

I review your history and the planned procedure, compare suitable materials, and explain tradeoffs. If a suspected allergy needs investigation, I may recommend evaluation by an appropriate medical specialist.

Frequently asked questions

Does “biocompatible” mean chemical-free?

No. We’re not exactly putting Kale in your fillings…All dental materials are made of substances with specific properties. We find Admira composites to be the most holistic on the market in terms of what it has been able to create while leaving out the traditional plastic polymers.

Is one material best for everyone?

No. Different teeth and procedures place different demands on a restoration.

Do I need compatibility testing?

I find testing well suited for individuals with Mast-cell disease. For the large majority of people I don’t find it necessary unless you really want the peace of mind.