Erpenbach, James D DDS

Dr. E is one of the most thorough and thoughtful dentists I’ve ever encountered. He pays attention to detail and takes the time to explain each procedure. The review giving him only 2 stars is based on materials and not on his ability or expertise. I really hope that people take the time to read all of the positive things the review has to say about him rather than focusing on the poor 2 star rating.

I’ve been seeking a dentist who uses materials that are the least toxic to human physiology possible. I know there are no completely nontoxic materials but my mother and grandmother both had breast cancer. I am trying to avoid anything that could tip the toxic burden of my body in favor of cancer.
Dr. Erpenbach is a very nice dentist with a calming bedside manner. In addition, he has been trained to drill out the least possible amount of decay (biomimetic). This means that you get less materials placed in your mouth than at a conventional dentist office. And I think his work lasts longer than normal dentists, like 20 years versus 5. I really wanted to get my dental work done with him but there are some possible toxicity issues with some materials.
I decided to follow this advice: «Please remember — every dental material that is used in your mouth is of critical importance and must be carefully chosen. You (and your immune system) will be exposed to these dental materials ²⁴⁄₇ nonstop — continuously via your mouth. If a material tests even slightly poorly, it can negatively impact your body’s health over time. NOTE: Identifying nontoxic bonding agents is equally important as dental restorative materials.»
I researched the bonding and filling materials used by Dr. Erpenbach’s office. Dr. Erpenbach has a bonding agent that will release fluoride. He also has one that does not and is actually listed on a list of recommended low toxicity dental materials. He has filling materials that contain barium as well as one that does not contain any heavy metals or metals of any kind and although it does not appear on any low toxicity dental material lists, looks to be very low in toxicity from what I can tell.
With regards to barium in fillings…
5:37 in video
Dr. Douglas Cook say «If you can see the fillings in the x-​ray you know there is something in those fillings that could be a burden to your health. Even though they say, „Well, it’s a composite,“ Yes, but what does it contain? Barium is one of the major factors that upset a lot of people. And then the manufactures put in fluoride to stop decay. It really doesn’t.» This is based on his experiences of reversing major diseases and health conditions by removing previous dental work in which metals were possibly disrupting electricity in the body somehow.
In the book «Biocompatibility of Dental Materials By Gottfried Schmalz, Dorthe Arenholt Bindslev» it says that «quartz fillers release fewer substances than glass fillers which contain barium» and «form filler particles boron, silicon, sodium and barium can leach into water, depending on the filler type.»
also
Although
barium is considered to be strongest radiopacifier
for the filler of composites, some authors stated that
barium ions are not biocompatible when leached out
into the oral fluid. 1251 In contrast, zirconium has been
stated as a chemically inert, biocompatible material
There is also a site that says, «Barium does leach out of the fillings and is associated with breast cancer.»
The research is not conclusive. Barium could be safe but there are many sites implicating it could possibly be unsafe. It is a toxic heavy metal… Since Dr. E has the filling material without barium I requested he use that, but he refused.
Fluoride has also been implicated in quite a number of diseases. Again it is not conclusive but the idea is that since there is no need to use these materials, since alternatives exist, wouldn’t it be better to be safe than sorry? And he refused to use the non-​fluoride releasing bonding agent.
I like him and his office. Most dentists have some degree of ego and won’t adjust or accommodate requests. They develop a set routine that works and stick to it. I get that, but it’s frustrating. There is a certain degree of stubbornness and «old dog won’t learn new tricks» along with ego with almost all dentists. There are superior dental materials available today that even remineralize teeth using amorphous calcium phosphate. There are revolutionary new technologies but most dentists don’t want to learn…
I also read on Dr. Cook’s site that you should avoid high speed drills. I don’t know if this is totally true, but if high speed drills do create micro fissures deep into the tooth that later can decay, it makes sense to avoid it right? Maybe those fissures repair. I honestly have no idea. Dr. Erpenbach uses high speed drill and won’t use another kind as well. I wish that I knew more about this drilling issue. Teeth can repair themselves so maybe it’s a non-​issue. But maybe it creates future decay throughout the tooth. I also don’t understand why he would need it since biomimetic dentists are supposed to remove only decay which is softer. I have no idea where to find a dentist now.
If you are fine with the dental materials and drill I think Dr. Erpenbach would be a great dentist to go to. Much better than conventional.