Advanced Technology
Precision Dentistry
When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Mike and Dr. Janet and their team use the latest technology to enhance the quality of your dental care. Many patients especially younger patients, are very familiar with new technology and are comfortable with this high tech practice.
Hand-pieces
Many dentists use air-driven “hand-pieces” (the dental term for “drills”). While acceptable for many procedures, these “whiny sounding” air-powered hand pieces all have a degree of non-concentricity, which means they do not always rotate smoothly.
For the most precise restorative procedures, we will soon be using electric hand-pieces. These result in extraordinarily precise interfaces between your tooth and your new restoration (crown, bridge, bonding, veneer, or filling). This will also bring more comfort to you; with a more precise tool, there is less vibration and less noise.
Digital Imaging (x-rays or Radiographs)
Dr. Mike and Dr. Janet carefully follow several guidelines to determine which and when radiographs are taken. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes such as cavities in between your teeth, bone level, and the overall health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, and assess damage when trauma occurs.
Dental radiographs are integral to diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Mike and Dr. Janet use Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. When compared to traditional radiographs, digital imaging decreases exposure time by about 50 percent while allowing us to retrieve more diagnostic information.
Additionally, digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies. They are also more precise since we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding up the old dental x-ray film up to the light. Digital X-rays results in 1/6th the radiation exposure to you.
Intraoral Camera
Dr. Mike and Dr. Janet are using intraoral camera technology that will help you better understand your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera—in some cases, it is just a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth, and gums. With large, clear, defined images, we are able to explain fine details to patients.
Intraoral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to create a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.
Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry uses new technology to deliver energy in the form of light. Depending on the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target.” In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Laser dentistry can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures. Oftentimes no local anesthesia is required.
Our practice will soon be using lasers to:
- Diagnose cavities: We can find hidden decay in early stages. In some cases, we can reverse the decay through hygiene and fluoride treatment, and you may never need a filling.
- Treat periodontal, or gum related, problems: We can use the laser to stop minor bleeding and help heal the tissue around your teeth.