By Dr. Scott Puckett, DDS · Edited by Calvin Bennet · Updated September 2026
Holistic dentistry — also called biological dentistry — treats your mouth as part of your whole body and works with its natural ability to heal. In practice, that means minimizing synthetic materials and unnecessary medications, using biocompatible options, and supporting recovery with natural methods — all built on standard dental science, not in place of it. Here’s what it actually involves, and an honest look at what the evidence supports.
Key takeaways
- Holistic/biological dentistry is an approach and emphasis, not a rejection of dental science.
- Its goal: support the body’s own healing, minimize synthetic materials, and reduce reliance on medications like opioids.
- Some techniques are well-supported (PRF, red light therapy, reducing opioids); others are promising but emerging; a few are traditional with limited evidence — a good holistic dentist tells you which.
- Because it’s uncommon, patients often travel for it.
What is holistic (biological) dentistry?
Holistic dentistry starts from a simple idea: the mouth isn’t separate from the rest of you. Oral health and whole-body health are connected, so care should consider both. Biological dentists emphasize biocompatible materials, minimally-invasive technique, and natural healing support — aiming to get the same or better results with fewer synthetic inputs.
It’s important to be clear about what it isn’t: credible biological dentistry is not anti-science, and it doesn’t replace proven care with unproven remedies. The version worth trusting uses the same diagnostics and standards as any good dental practice — it simply leans toward the gentlest, most natural effective option at each step, and is candid about the evidence.
We’ve come to the realization that the human body is meant to heal itself. If we use natural means to help the body heal, we can decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation, and get better, more predictable outcomes.
Dr. Scott Puckett, DDS
How a biological approach changes oral surgery
Dr. Puckett rebuilt his oral surgery practice around a biologic protocol that touches every stage of care. The recurring theme is using the body’s own resources and natural materials wherever they work as well as — or better than — synthetic ones:
Gentler surgery and natural recovery
Teeth are removed as atraumatically as possible, and recovery is supported with natural methods rather than defaulting to strong medications. In Dr. Puckett’s practice, this approach has cut narcotic pain-medication use dramatically — a goal mainstream dentistry shares, given the risks of opioids.
Your own biology, put to work
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) uses a small sample of your own blood, spun in a centrifuge, to concentrate the platelets and growth factors that drive healing — then places them in the surgical site. It’s one of the best-supported biological techniques, and it’s especially valuable for patients whose healing is compromised. Dentin autografting takes this further, using your own extracted tooth as a bone graft instead of donor or animal bone.
Biocompatible materials
For patients who prefer to avoid metal, zirconia (ceramic) implants offer a metal-free alternative to titanium, with a favorable gum response. This is a newer, growing area — promising, and worth an honest conversation about the current evidence.
Supporting the body’s healing
Additional tools — red light therapy (photobiomodulation), IV vitamin C, ozone and Manuka honey for decontamination, and natural anti-inflammatories — aim to reduce inflammation and speed recovery. These range from well-studied to traditional; we cover each honestly in its own guide.
An honest word on the evidence
Holistic dentistry gets a bad rap when it over-promises. We won’t. Across this section we sort every technique into three buckets and say which is which:
- Well-supported — e.g., PRF, red light therapy, reducing opioid use, Manuka honey’s antibacterial action.
- Promising but still emerging — e.g., dentin autografting, zirconia implants, IV vitamin C, ozone therapy.
- Traditional, with limited evidence — some natural remedies used for comfort, presented as what they are, not as proven cures.
That honesty is the point. The goal is a natural, whole-body approach you can trust because it respects the science — not despite it.
Who holistic dentistry is for
It tends to appeal to people who want to avoid unnecessary medications and addictive pain drugs, who prefer biocompatible or metal-free materials, or who simply want care that considers their overall health. Because a fully biological oral surgery practice is uncommon, many patients travel to find one — Dr. Puckett sees patients from across the country at his practice in Wilmington, Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is holistic (biological) dentistry?
It’s an approach to dental care that treats the mouth as part of the whole body and aims to support the body’s natural healing — minimizing synthetic materials and unnecessary medications where possible. It uses standard dental science, but leans toward biocompatible materials and natural recovery methods.
Is holistic dentistry safe and evidence-based?
The best of it is. Many biological techniques — like platelet-rich fibrin, red light therapy, and reducing opioid use — have solid research behind them. Others are promising but still emerging, and a few are traditional practices with limited evidence. A trustworthy holistic dentist is honest about which is which.
How is it different from a regular dentist?
The core dentistry is the same; the difference is emphasis. A biological practice prioritizes gentle, minimally-synthetic techniques — the patient’s own blood (PRF) for healing, metal-free implant options, natural recovery support — and spends more time on how a procedure affects overall health.
Do you have to live nearby to see a holistic oral surgeon?
No. Because this approach is uncommon, many patients travel for it. Dr. Puckett’s practice in Wilmington, Ohio sees patients from across the country and welcomes out-of-town patients.
Sources
Related reading
- About Dr. Scott Puckett, DDS
- Dental Implants
- Tooth Extraction: What to Expect
- Understanding Gum Disease
Medical disclaimer: this article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.