At the White Clinic, we’ve been connecting the dots between the impact of oral health on overall health for over two decades, and the potential systemic impact of poor quality or outdated dentistry is another crucial link when it comes to full-body wellness. Our founder and clinical director, Dr. Miguel Stanley, wrote a very interesting and relevant article precisely on the topic of Revision Dentistry.

The overlooked impact of outdated dental work

In medicine, it’s widely accepted that outdated medical implants and treatments require revision over time. Yet in dentistry, old restorations – whether metal fillings, aging crowns, or root canal-treated teeth – are rarely revisited unless they break. This oversight may have profound consequences, contributing to chronic inflammation, systemic disease, and overall health deterioration.

Medical implants and prosthetics are not designed to last a lifetime. For example, the average lifespan of a hip replacement is around 15-20 years, breast implants typically need replacement within 10-15 years, and a heart pacemaker lasts about 5-15 years before requiring revision. Even corneal transplants often last only 10-15 years before deterioration occurs. These examples illustrate that the human body changes over time, and so do the materials we implant into it.

The emerging field of what I like to call “Revision Dentistry” aims to bridge this gap. It calls for regular reassessment of existing dental work to identify potential hidden sources of inflammation, toxicity, and bacterial load associated to the treatments and not just teeth and gums that may be impacting overall health. This proactive approach aligns with advancements in integrative and preventive medicine, where early detection and intervention are key to optimising long-term well-being.

The link between oral health and systemic inflammation

The connection between oral and systemic health is well-documented, with periodontal disease linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. However, the discussion has largely ignored how outdated dental materials and poorly executed past treatments might be driving chronic inflammation and contributing to conditions like autoimmune disorders, neurological issues, and metabolic dysfunction.

The disconnect between doctors and dentists, combined with the fact that many of these issues cause no pain or visible inflammation, and the common misconception that dental work lasts forever, has created a critical gap in healthcare – one that leaves patients vulnerable to chronic, silent health risks.

Also, some dental treatments can degrade over time, leaching harmful substances into the body. Additionally, improperly treated root canals can harbour residual bacteria, forming chronic low-grade infections that silently burden the immune system and this can go unchecked for decades. 

Examples of overlooked risks include:

• Metal hypersensitivity – Many patients unknowingly react to titanium alloys, mercury, and nickel in dental work, triggering systemic inflammatory responses.
• Oral galvanisation – Dissimilar metals in the mouth can create microcurrents, disrupting mitochondrial function and potentially affecting neurological health.
• Contaminated implants and bone grafts – Studies have found that many commercially available implants contain surface impurities, while some grafting materials are not rigorously tested for immunogenicity. 
• Silent infections – CBCT imaging and microbial analysis reveal that many “successful” root canals harbour bacterial biofilms that may contribute to systemic disease. It is important to note that a well-executed root canal that is done with gold standard protocol, including the use of sterilised instruments, is a very valid treatment. The problem lies when corners are cut or subpar materials are used or the treatment is not properly executed. 

Why Revision Dentistry is essential

Patients assume their dental work is permanent, but nothing in dentistry lasts forever. Materials degrade, restorations fail, and new research reveals that many past techniques were performed without the knowledge we now have about biocompatibility, infection control, and systemic health.

In orthopedic surgery, joint replacements are routinely reassessed and replaced when necessary – so why isn’t dentistry adopting the same approach?

Revision Dentistry proposes:

• Routine assessment of old restorations for signs of corrosion, leakage, and bacterial infiltration.
• The use of advanced diagnostics like 3D CBCT imaging, salivary biomarker testing, and systemic inflammation markers (such as CCL5/RANTES and CRP).
• Improved protocols for replacing failing dental work with biocompatible materials that minimise toxicity and immune response.
• Greater collaboration between dentists, physicians, and functional medicine practitioners to ensure oral health is integrated into overall healthcare.

Moving forward: a call to action for the dental industry

The challenge of implementing Revision Dentistry lies in awareness, accessibility, and education. Many patients (and even some dentists) are unaware of the long-term risks of outdated dental materials. Additionally, insurance providers often classify revision procedures as elective or cosmetic, leaving patients with the financial burden. To change this, we need:

• Greater patient education on the importance of routine reassessment of dental work.
• Standardised diagnostic protocols to detect failing restorations before they cause systemic health issues.
• A push for insurance coverage of medically necessary dental revisions.
• Expanded training and research on the connection between oral materials, inflammation, and chronic disease.

The future of dentistry is integrative and proactive

Revision Dentistry is more than a new concept – it’s a necessary evolution in how we approach oral healthcare. By recognising the systemic implications of outdated dental work, we can shift dentistry from a reactive to a proactive model, preventing disease rather than just treating symptoms.

If you’re a dentist, consider incorporating biocompatibility testing, CBCT imaging, and systemic health markers into your assessments. If you’re a patient, ask your dentist about the longevity and safety of your existing dental work – because what’s in your mouth affects your whole body.

The future of dentistry isn’t just about aesthetics or function – it’s about total-body health. The time for Revision Dentistry is now.

*Written by Dr. Miguel Stanley.