Short answer

Biological dentistry describes a way of thinking about dental care. It has no formal status as a dental specialty. The IAOMT, an oral health group founded in 1984, frames it as an approach that favors the least toxic path to standard dental goals (IAOMT). At its core, this means weighing every material, image, and procedure with safety as a central concern.

What the research says

  • The IAOMT holds that biological dentistry is a mindset, not a licensed dental specialty (IAOMT).
  • The FDA notes that CBCT scans in dentistry generally expose patients to higher radiation levels compared with routine dental x-rays, so clinicians should limit their use to situations where the added detail is truly necessary (FDA).
  • A 2015 meta-analysis found that adult CBCT radiation doses differ widely depending on the machine and scan size used, averaging close to 84 microsieverts for smaller scans and about 212 microsieverts for larger ones (Ludlow et al.).
  • In 2020, the FDA advised people at higher risk, such as those who are pregnant or nursing and young children, to avoid new mercury amalgam fillings if other options exist. The agency also advised against removing amalgam fillings that look sound unless there is a clear medical reason to do so (FDA).
  • A 2023 meta-analysis reported a 97.2% five-year survival rate across 277 zirconia implants. The same researchers said additional randomized trials are needed to compare zirconia implants directly against titanium (Roehling et al.).

Where the evidence has limits

The FDA notes that CBCT imaging involves more radiation than standard x-rays, which is why it ties use to clear clinical need (FDA). Dose levels themselves vary widely, with one meta-analysis reporting a difference of well over 100 microsieverts between small and large scan protocols (Ludlow et al.). On implants, a 2023 meta-analysis found strong five-year survival for zirconia implants, yet the same researchers said more randomized trials are needed before drawing firm comparisons with titanium (Roehling et al.).

How we handle it at Natural Smiles

At Natural Smiles, Dr. Carlo Litano, DMD, trained in the Swiss BioHealth protocol in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, and holds IAOMT SMART certification for amalgam removal. He also serves on the board of directors of the Holistic Dental Association. Our implants are zirconia ceramic, fillings are BPA-free composite, and crowns are ceramic or zirconia. For extractions, we clean and disinfect the socket with ozone and support healing with LPRF made from your own blood. We use CBCT 3D imaging to plan surgical cases and check vitamin D status before implant surgery. We read dental findings alongside your full health history and can coordinate with your physician on request. You receive a written plan with costs before any decision, and no referral is needed to book.

Sources

  1. IAOMT, About the IAOMT
  2. FDA, Dental Cone-beam Computed Tomography
  3. Ludlow et al., Dentomaxillofac Radiol (2015)
  4. FDA, recommendations for high-risk groups (Sept. 24, 2020)
  5. Roehling et al., zirconia implant meta-analysis (2023)

Last updated October 1, 2026.