Panoramic X-Ray / 3D CT Scan

The advantages of panoramic radiography include considerable time savings from the office staff and reduction of the patient's exposure to radiation as compared to a full mouth traditional x-rays is one-fifth to one sixth of the radiation exposure. A full survey using intraoral periapical technique requires fourteen to eighteen seperate exposures, involving the cooperation of the patient for a period of 20-25 minutes. A panoramic radiograph, including patient positioning, takes less than 5 minutes to accomplish (during which time the patient is essentially passive). The panoramic radiograph, coupled with an additional 5-7 minutes for bitewings, represents a 50% timesavings.

Digital XRays

Digital x-rays are quickly becoming adopted by a large percentage of the dental industry. A digital x-ray allows the dentist to take an image of the tooth or teeth and put it into an imaging program. Within this imaging program, there are a number of tools that will allow the dentist to take a very close look at the teeth and surrounding structures with amazing accuracy. As a benefit to the patient, the digital x-ray also provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard x-ray. This is due to the fact that the digital version of the x-ray is much more sensitive to this radiation and has been specifically designed with the patient in mind.

CEREC®

No Temporary. 
No Messy Impressions. 
One Easy Appointment. 

What is CEREC®? 

dentist. 

The CEREC® Process 

CEREC® uses CAD-CAM technology to design and mill custom restorations during one visit to the dentist. So how does this process work? 
Exam and Preparation
Before you get started, your dentist will determine if CEREC® is right for you. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure you have remaining, it may be a simple filling or you may need a crown. After reviewing your options, the dentist will begin the process by administering anesthetic and preparing your tooth for restoration by removing decay and weakened tooth tissue.

Optical Impression

In order to make the desired restoration, a 3-dimensional image of the tooth that needs to be restored must be created from a digital camera scan of the tooth. This three-dimensional image will be used to create the restoration without the need to take a messy impression. This means no horrible tasting impression material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC® 3D software then converts the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model of the prepared tooth.

Milling Unit

This device is used to create the custom restoration needed for the tooth. Based on the original color of your tooth, the dentist is able to select the correct colored ceramic block and in a few minutes, the milling device is able to create the restoration needed.

Placing the Restoration

After the restoration is made, it is ready to be tried on to ensure that you get proper fit and bite. When it is ready, the restoration is polished and bonded into place by your dentist. Therefore, no temporary restoration is needed and no return trip is necessary, saving you time and money.

Advantages to Using CEREC® 

CEREC® has revolutionized the restorative process. It was created with the patient in mind in order to make a visit to the dentist as pain-free as possible. Some of the benefits to using CEREC® are: 

• Most procedures can be done in one visit - less costly and less time-consuming
• Less painful injections due to single-visit
• No need to take messy impressions
• No need to have a temporary restoration for in-between visits
• Ability to save as much natural tooth structure as possible
• Longer lasting restorations - may last over 10 years
• Restores teeth to natural beauty, function and strength
• Metal-free restorations

Intraoral Camera

The intraoral camera is an amazing diagnostic tool for viewing different angles in the mouth that we would not have been able to just a few years ago. The camera gives us the ability to view the entire mouth on a monitor so that we can get a closer look at any potential issues or problems that may arise. In addition, the patient will have the ability to see for themselves first hand the same images we are seeing. These digital images are also excellent for gaining procedure acceptance from insurance companies.

Laser For Soft Tissue Surgery

Navigator soft tissue laser

A new and wonderful era in dentistry has begun. Our high-tech office is pleased to offer this state-of-the-art technology to our patients. Lasers are an amazing new technology for the dental office

Lasers have the capability to:

• Perform gum surgery without the need for needles and no bleeding or stitches, being able to eat, drink and talk right after surgery with no discomfort.

• Sterilize gum tissue pockets as they are healing

Electric Handpieces

There are basically two types of handpieces, air-driven and electric. Electric handpieces are much stronger than air-driven due to the fact that a motor is spinning the bur as opposed to air. This allows the doctor to remove decay at a faster pace. This will cut down on the time it takes to complete a procedure in addition to reducing the high pitch whine of an air driven instrument.