Experience Holistic Dentistry in NYC with Dr. Edward Alvarez
What is Holistic Dentistry?
Holistic dentistry is where a patient’s dental health is seen as a part of their entire body, and how dental treatment affects the body as a whole. The use of materials such as mercury and BPS in dental fillings, or metals such as nickel and chromium in dental crowns and bridgework is discouraged and eliminated.
Acupuncture and Lasers...
Dr. Edward A Alvarez received his degree in Acupuncture from Harvard Medical School in 2010, and routinely integrates it into his practice. Being able to treat facial pain, TMJ pain, headaches, and other ailments without the use of drugs or medications is of extreme benefit to our patients. In addition to the use of acupuncture needles, Dr. Alvarez also uses a diode laser and low level light therapy to help treat pain.
What is Dr. Alvarez's philosophy?
Dr. Alvarez feels that the best dentistry is a combination of holistic and traditional techniques to achieve an excellent final outcome for our patients. Many times, “Holistic Dentists” can use unproven techniques and materials which will not be successful and will cause the patient additional pain, cost, and treatment. Dr. Alvarez will always use the best techniques and materials available to approach dentistry in the most holistic manner possible.
What are Dr. Alvarez's choices for a holistic approach?
Dr. Alvarez has never used silver mercury fillings since opening his practice in 2002.
For patients who wish to have existing silver mercury (amalgam) fillings removed, Dr. Alvarez uses advanced safety protocols, including dual high-speed suction, isolation of the tooth being treated, and the administration of oxygen during removal, at the patient’s request.
Dr. Alvarez is a leader in the use of CEREC® technology, having used it in his practice for over a decade to create metal-free crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, and dental bridges. CEREC allows Dr. Alvarez to produce extremely strong, durable, and beautiful restorations made from biologically inert ceramic, porcelain, or zirconia. Traditional crowns that contain metal can, in many patients, contribute to chronic gum inflammation, bleeding, and even bone loss.
Dr. Alvarez proudly offers Admira Fusion®, the world’s first ceramic-based composite filling material. It is the only ceramic direct restorative material that is completely free of Bisphenol-A (BPA), Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, and UDMA, making it an exceptional option for patients seeking a more biologically conscious and metal-free approach to dental care.
Did you know that some dental crowns made in a lab contain harmful lead and other metals?
Did you know that investigative testing has found lead present in some dental crowns made by external laboratories? In FDA-related testing, lead has been detected in crowns at levels up to around 200–240 parts per million in samples evaluated by independent labs — far above regulatory limits for lead in many consumer products.
Scientific reviews note that metal ions can be released from dental casting alloys over time and may contribute to localized tissue reactions in some patients, depending on individual sensitivity and alloy composition. This is one reason Dr. Alvarez prefers metal-free, ceramic restorations for patients seeking biocompatible care.
Dr. Edward Alvarez fabricates most crowns in-office CEREC technology. Any external dental lab work is sent only to trusted dental laboratories in either New York or California. All dental restorations provided in our practice are certified lead-free and composed of biocompatible materials.
All dental work in our office is certified to be 100% lead free.
BPA Free Dental Fillings
In our Midtown Manhattan New York City dental office, Dr. Alvarez uses Admira Fusion for your dental fillings.
What is Admira Fusion? Admira Fusion® is the world's first all-ceramic-based universal direct restorative material, developed by Voco. Admira Fusion® offers several remarkable advantages compared to traditional white composite filling materials, which include up to 50% lower polymerization shrinkage, as well as up to 50% lower shrinkage stress. That means your tooth will be stronger and your white filling will last longer. Additional physical properties include extremely high color stability, elevated esthetics in translucency and opacity that allow it to adapt and to blend with surrounding tooth structure.
The ormocer technology used in the manufacturing of Admira Fusion® makes it highly biocompatible, as it contains none of today's classic monomers, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol A Glycidyl Methacrylate (BIS-GMA), Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), Urethane Dimethacrylate (UDMA), and others.