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Comfortable DetectionWe strive to provide all of our patients with the highest quality and the most advanced dental care. With this in mind, we have invested in Digital Radiography (X-rays), Diagnodent, and Intra-Oral Cameras to help you better understand your dental health. Using the latest technology will give you a more accurate evaluation of your teeth, without compromising your comfort. Galileos 3-D Scanner by Sirona - Click here for more information More Information Digital X-Rays Digital X-RaysDigital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected. Dental x-rays may reveal:
Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage may save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth! Are dental x-rays safe?We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. Digital x-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional dental x-rays. Not only are digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces your time in the dental office. Also, since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the x-rays, thus eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment. Even though digital x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, dentists still take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. These precautions include only taking those x-rays that are necessary, and using lead apron shields to protect the body. How often should dental x-rays be taken?The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary x-rays based upon the review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age, and risk of disease. A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for new patients. A full series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems. DiagnodentDIAGNOdent technology uses a simple laser diode to inspect your teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a known healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. How? First, we aim the laser onto one of your healthy enamel tooth surfaces to give us a benchmark reading. Then, we continue on around your mouth, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As the laser pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, it reflects fluorescent light of a specific wavelength. This light is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between one and 100, then displayed on a screen. Anytime the laser encounters a surface that reads differently than the healthy baseline value, it stimulates emission of fluorescent light of a different wavelength. A reading of 10-20 indicates some enamel softening, pointing to a potential problem area that merits close monitoring. A reading of 21-100 indicates a definite area of decay requiring a filling. Using DIAGNOdent technology allows us to catch more areas of decay sooner and with more precision. Further, it requires no x-rays, and is a relatively comfortable procedure. Not only can it help prevent the spread of decay, but catching decay early means fillings required are simpler and shallower, preserving more of the tooth. This allows us to use minimally invasive filling procedures, such as drill-free air abrasion. Finally, we're able to objectively monitor any suspicious areas without repeated x-rays, harm to tissues, or need for protective measures. Intra-Oral CamerasYou will be able to see your needed care. A sterilized small probe shaped camera is moved around the inside of your mouth. This will provide you with a tooth by tooth video exam of your teeth so you can see your teeth enlarged in living color on our computer screen in the treatment room. We can freeze and store the picture of the inside of your mouth for a bigger and better look and then take an instant photograph for you and your records. This painless, no radiation technique allows you to see problems such as worn-out, defective fillings, fractured teeth, decay, bleeding gums and plaque. Together we can discuss your treatment plan with you for restoring your mouth to optimal health. |
