Dental technology has introduced innovative advancements over the last few years, making dental appointments quicker and much more thorough. Some of the laborious tasks of dentistry have been simplified and the process for several of these duties has proven more efficient. Technology has already altered our everyday lives at home and in the workplace, making it only a matter of time until modern developments changed how patients perceived a routine dental appointment. Here are the pieces of technology we have in our office.
Digital X-Rays
Introduced in 1987, nearly 90 years after traditional x-rays came to fruition, digital radiography combined the power of computer technology with electric sensors and tiny bursts of radiation. Rather than printing the results on film, images form almost as soon as the sensors are placed in our mouths, projecting on a computer screen. Digital x-ray technology does demand additional training for dentists, though the majority of practitioners are adamant that the advantages are worth the commitment. Today, a lot of dental offices only offer patients digital x-rays because, in multiple ways, it is the superior option to traditional radiography.
- Less Expensive | Digital x-rays will generally cost you less than the traditional alternative because the cost of film to develop images for the latter adds up. In contrast, digital x-ray imaging projects right onto our computer.
- Better Storage | Since these digital x-ray images are transferred to a computer system, it allows for easier storage of your oral health records. Your data can be transferred from one dentist to another without any medical data being lost in the exchange.
- Finer Images | Digital x-ray images produce a better resolution than their traditional counterpart. Also, old-fashioned x-rays can only project images in 25 various shades, whereas a digital image can reveal up to 256 shades of grey. Digital radiography also has the advantage of accessing more angles within our mouths, providing a streamlined view of a patient's entire oral structure. With the assistance of computer programs, dentists can even enhance the digital images further, for a focused view.
Dental Lasers
Diode Laser: The diode laser is useful for procedures that involve soft tissues, and are great for sterilizing endodontic canals, treating periodontal disease, and teeth whitening. It is a tool that offers a wide array of clinical treatment possibilities and is capable of great precision thanks to its portability and touchscreen controls. It has been shown to be helpful in treating challenging periodontal conditions while providing rapid healing and reduced swelling.
BIOLASE Epic X Laser: BIOLASE Epic X is a state-of-the-art and well-conceived example of a dental diode laser. A variety of pre-set procedures are installed into the device, with suggested settings that can be accessed swiftly and easily by our dentist. The handpiece is fitted with several single-use tips to access any area of our mouths, and there is a handpiece to be used for bio stimulation in pain relief and a whitening contour handpiece for patients who wish to receive laser-assisted in-office whitening. Most commonly, the tips of preference are the ones used intraorally since they are disposable and adjustable to any angle.