Biological and Holistic Dentistry in St. Paul, MN
A biological dentist treats your teeth with your whole body in mind. At the Minnesota Center for Minimally Invasive Dentistry in St. Paul, Dr. Mark Malterud and Dr. Rachel Malterud avoid mercury fillings, look closely at how your gum health connects to the rest of your health, and choose the gentlest option that works. Many patients call this holistic dentistry. We just call it careful dentistry.
Schedule a complimentary smile consultation Call (651) 699-2822
What Does Biological Dentistry Mean?
“Biological” and “holistic” get used a lot, and they don’t mean the same thing at every office. At ours, it comes down to three ideas.
First, your mouth is part of your body. Research links gum disease and chronic infection to conditions like heart disease and diabetes, so we pay attention to more than your teeth.
Second, the materials matter. We have not placed mercury (amalgam) fillings for many years, and we choose restorative materials with your health in mind.
Third, less is more. We look for problems early and treat only what needs treating, so you keep as much of your natural tooth as possible. That is the core of our minimally invasive approach.
How it Differs From a Typical Dental Visit
Good dentists exist in every kind of practice. Here is where our approach tends to look different.
| Typical approach | Our approach | |
|---|---|---|
| Fillings | Often amalgam or composite, chosen by cost or habit | Mercury-free, tooth-colored materials only |
| Early decay | Watch it, then drill when it grows | Detect early, then support the tooth with options like ozone and remineralization when appropriate |
| Gum health | Cleaning and measuring pockets | Gum health checked as part of your overall health, with extra testing when needed |
| Treatment planning | Focused on the tooth in front of us | Takes your health history, bite and airway into account |
| Pace | Often one issue at a time | A full plan, so you know what’s coming |
What Biological Care Looks Like at Our Practice
- Mercury-free dentistry: We place tooth-colored fillings.
- Ozone dentistry: Ozone therapy is one of the tools we use to treat early decay and support healing.
- Laser dentistry: Lasers let us treat gum tissue and certain problems more gently and with less discomfort.
- Biomimetic dentistry: We repair teeth in a way that mimics natural tooth structure, to protect strength and avoid taking away more teeth than necessary.
- The oral-systemic connection and the Bale Doneen Method: We look at how your oral health connects to cardiovascular and overall health.
- Airway and sleep care: Jaw growth, breathing and sleep are closely related, and we screen for them in adults and kids.
Meet Your Dentists
Dr. Mark Malterud, MAGD, has practiced in St. Paul for decades. He is a founding member of the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry and the World Congress of Minimal Invasive Dentistry.
Dr. Rachel Malterud is a general dentist practicing in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. She is also an adjunct assistant faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where she oversees dental students at various outreach events throughout the community.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
- A conversation first. We start by listening to your history, your concerns and what you want from your care.
- A thorough exam. This includes digital imaging, an oral-systemic review and a look at your bite and airway.
- A clear plan. You’ll leave knowing what we found, what matters most, and your options in plain language. Nothing is rushed, and you decide what happens next.
Your first visit starts with a complimentary smile consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a holistic dentist and a biological dentist?
The terms overlap a lot. “Holistic” usually means treating the whole person, and “biological” focuses on materials and techniques that work with your body. Our approach includes both ideas.
Do you remove old mercury fillings?
Yes. We can replace old amalgam fillings with tooth-colored restorations. We recommend a plan based on the condition of each filling.
Is biological dentistry safe and evidence-based?
We use established dental techniques and add tools like ozone and laser where they make sense for your situation. Your dentist will explain the reasoning for each recommendation so you can make an informed choice.
Do you treat children and families?
Yes. We see patients of all ages, including kids through our Healthy Start program, which supports healthy airway and jaw development.
Will my insurance cover this?
Coverage depends on your plan and the treatment. Call us at (651) 699-2822 and our team can help you understand your options.
Ready to See if We’re The Right Fit?
Schedule a complimentary smile consultation with Dr. Mark or Dr. Rachel Malterud at 770 Mount Curve Blvd in St. Paul, near Highland Park. We’re open Monday through Wednesday 8:30 to 5 and Thursday 8 to 3.
What Our Patients Are Saying
After working with Dr. Malterud for a couple of weeks to get the right fit for my NTI, the results are great. I may still get a headache but only for a few hours and not severe.
— Judy Wiedl
It's hard to believe that something so small could change my life in such a big way. I have been pain free without drugs or surgery for years now. My teeth have been saved from more damage because I don't grind them any more.
— Therese L
Mark is the absolute best. I recommend him and his team to everyone. No matter where I live in the world, our family will always use his services. Worth traveling the world over for. Thanks Mark!
— Tony Z.