PATIENT INFO

Advanced Technology

Digital Xray
The computer era has brought us an exciting new technology called digital radiography.

Advantages of Digital Radiography
  • It's faster
  • It's safer, with no chemical development and less radiation.
  • We can view Images instantly.
  • We can enhance images to improve viewing.
  • Images can be stored electronically & e-mailed to specialists & insurance companies.
 
Taking x-rays is faster because the sensor is merely moved from tooth to tooth, and your x-ray can be seen on a computer monitor just moments after exposure.  There's no waiting for chemical development, as with film packets.  

 
The lack of chemicals also make digital x-rays safer for the environment.  Digital radiography is safe for you, too.  Because the unit is so sensitive, the amount of x-ray radiation is up to 80% less than with conventional x-rays.

 
Digital x-ray technology enables more efficient diagnosis and treatment because it provides a large, easy to see image, and it allows us to make adjustments and see details in the x-ray images.  The digital x-rays can then become part of your dental record and be easily e-mailed to specialists and insurance companies.

With Digital radiography, we can offer you faster and safer diagnosis and dental treatment.

 

Intraoral Camera

An intraoral camera is a highly advanced innovation in dentistry that allows us to get a close-up view inside your mouth.

The intraoral camera handpiece is approximately the size and shape of a dental mirror.  It has a built-in light source, so it gives us clear images of the teeth and gums.

We can zoom in on one tooth or zoom out for a view of the entire mouth.  The images are displayed on a television or computer monitor, so you will be able to see problems such as worn or broken fillings, cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, gum disease, or excessive wear.  After we have treated your dental condition, the intraoral camera lets you see, up close, your beautiful, healthy teeth and gums.



DiagnoDent

Sometimes, it's difficult for us to diagnose cavities, especially in the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of your back teeth.  The traditional way to check for cavities was by looking for visual signs of decay on the tooth, checking x-rays, or feeling for a soft area with a dental explorer.  However, we now have a diagnostic tool called DiagnoDent that helps us more accurately locate early cavities.
DiagnoDent is a laser technology that scans your teeth with harmless pulses of light.  When a cavity is present, fluorescent light of a different wavelength bounces back to the sensor, which is translated to a digital read-out.  In general, the higher the number, the greater the amount of decay in the tooth.  When a cavity is present DiagnoDent also produces an audible signal.

You'll benefit from our use of the DiagnoDent because it helps us find decay that may have previously gone undetected.  By diagnosing decay ealry in its development, we can prevent more extensive damage.  Your restorations will be smaller and less costly, and you'll be able to retain more of your own natural, healthy tooth.



Oral Cancer Detection

Because early detection is vital to surviving oral cancer, we will perform an oral cancer screening each time we see you in our office for an exam.  In addition, if you notice any of the warning signs [listed below] tell us right away.  Do not ignore one or more of the signs just because it does not hurt.  Most pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions are completely painless.

                                                       

 
 
 
 
Signs of Oral Cancer:
  • Red, white, or discolored patch or lump in or around your mouth
  • A sore that bleeds easily or that doesn't heal within two weeks.
  • An area that has thickened, raised, or become hardened
  • A rough patch of tissue
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • A chronic sore throat or hoarseness

We also offer a more accurate oral cancer screening test called ViziLite Plus.  This
test allows us to detec oral cancer before it is visible to the naked eye.  This
technology combines a specifically formulated mouthrinse with a specific
wavelength of light.  Under the light, abnormal or suspicious tissue will appear to
glow in contrast with the surrounding tissue.