Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Dentistry has undergone a major paradigm shift, from the old "drill
and fill" days to practicing Minimally Invasive Dentistry. With our
population living longer than ever before, it is our job as your dentist,
to try and assure you of keeping your teeth for life.
How do we do this?
By practicing Minimally Invasive Dentistry, we use high tech equipment
and state of the art science to do the least possible to make your
teeth healthy. Lasers, Digital X rays, state of the art equipment for
the hygienists, magnification and other high tech devices, allow us to
diagnose Dental disease early, and treat conservatively.
Here are a few of the latest dental technology currently being used in our office:
Laser Cavity Detection
At Soddy Daisy Smiles, we use the DIAGNOdent Laser by the Kavo Corporation
to detect even the smallest cavities at the earliest stage possible. It
actually looks beneath the surface of your teeth to detect decay “from
the inside.” Research has indicated
that early cavities won’t show up on x-rays and are almost undetectable
using conventional detection methods. Early detection allows us to place small
microscopic fillings virtually invisible to the naked eye. The DIAGNOdent is painless, and invaluable in keeping your teeth for a
lifetime.
The conventional method of detection with a regular dental explorer is
one way for cavity detection. But, seen in this picture, the explorer
is not precise enough to detect the decay.
Diode Dental Laser
Our
Diode dental laser allows us to treat many gum procedures,previously
only treatable by traditional periodontal surgery. Unlike periodontal
surgery, Diode laser treatments, are much less invasive, and can
achieve similar results. Following diode laser gum treatments, the
patients exhibits minimal discomfort and can usually resume normally
activities the next day. No stitches, no bleeding, and virtually no
pain, make this an excellent alternative for many that fear traditional
periodontal surgery.
Our laser also helps to provide relief from bothersome
canker sores in your mouth, with just one quick visit. With Laser
dentistry, discomfort from the sore is reduced, while healing is
substantially faster. Call us today to find out more information.
Oraqix®
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Needle-free application avoids patient injection anxiety |
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Avoids lingering numbness in the lips and the tongue |
Oraqix® brings effective, needle-free anesthesia for all of our adult patients during scaling and/or root planing procedures.
Periodontitis affects a large percentage of the population
throughout the world and is a major contributing factor to tooth loss
in adults. Although professional treatment can prevent progression of the
disease, some patients fear the pain and unpleasantness associated with
required dental procedures. Local anesthesia is often used to lessen
patient discomfort of appropriate treatment, but injection of an
anesthetic may be, in itself, upsetting and painful. And, as a result,
some patients delay or avoid visiting their dentist and fail to receive
proper treatment. This is were Oraqix comes in, deep cleanings/periodontal treatment can be preformed with out any injections.
Air Abrasion
A technique called air abrasion uses powerful
particles of aluminum oxide to remove debris and decay. The most
exciting thing for patients is that air abrasion is painless and, in
some cases, doesn't require any anesthetic.
Air abrasion leaves behind a gritty feeling in your mouth,
which is simply rinsed away almost instantaneously using a small
suction device.
Air abrasion is great for repairing tiny cracks, imperfections, and decay on a tooth. The no needle Air Abrasion technique is only suitable for restoring
small to medium -sized cavities. It may not be suitable where large
cavities are present or to replace old fillings.
Digital X-Rays
One of the newest advances in dentistry involving x-rays is digital x-rays. Our x-ray system is a computerized imaging system that utilizes an
electronic sensor instead of X-ray film. The sensors produce sharp and
clear images that appear almost instantly on a computer screen. Digital
x-rays uses up to 90% less radiation than conventional film X-rays.
Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera
is an indispensable diagnostic and educational tool. The tiny video
camera moves around inside of your mouth and generates a tooth by tooth
video exam of your teeth.
Using an intraoral camera allows you to have a better understand of your dental needs by seeing what the
dentist sees and then having it explained. With the images produced by
the intraoral camera, you can see your teeth and have an easier understanding of all the conditions in your mouth, such as broken teeth, plaque, decay, gum disease,
defective fillings, and so on. Intraoral Cameras help detect problems early on, which can also save our patients a significant amount of money
in the long run. Please contact us today for more information on this
wonderful instrument.
Our goal is making your Dental visit more comfortable than ever.
Technology is expensive, but we spare no expense if it benefits our
patients. Call our office today to experience high tech, Minimally
Invasive Dentistry.
Call us today!