Dental Technology
Lakewood, CO
Visiting a dentist is a common childhood fear. Being made to sit in a chair with someone using terrifying devices to poke inside your mouth is not exactly something that children look forward to.
However, thanks to rapid advancement in dental technology, many dental practices no longer seem as time-consuming or frightening. Here is an overview of cutting-edge dental technology that has revolutionized dental practices:
With same-day crowns, a multiple-day process can be reduced to a single day. You no longer have to go through the embarrassment of roaming around with a shaved-down tooth for a day or rely on a temporary crown.
To make a same-day crown, dentists use an intraoral camera along with computer-aided design to form a 3D impression of your tooth. A CEREC machine is then used to prepare a crown in the dentist’s office in just an hour’s time.
Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera looks like a small wand and is used to capture and show digital images from inside your mouth. They are the same size as a dental mirror and have a built-in light to help view your teeth properly.
This is a portable device that can be used by connecting it to a computer through a USB, docking station, or wirelessly. Intraoral cameras can help your dentist accurately diagnose your issue, as the camera images generally give a clear picture of your mouth, teeth and gums.
Digital X-Ray or digital radiography employs an electronic sensor rather than a conventional x-ray film to take x-ray images. It has the benefit of exposing you to far less radiation than a traditional x-ray equipment.
In order to take a digital x-ray, a dentist would first insert a sensor inside your mouth to take an image. The sensor directly sends signals to a computer so that the image can be instantly seen on a screen in the clinic.
With laser dentistry, you no longer have to spend a long time in the dentist’s chair. Moreover, it also eliminates the need for anesthesia.
Soft tissue laser procedures include crown lengthening, muscle attachment, and reshaping the gum tissue. Hard tissue laser applications are used to treat tooth-specific issues through cavity detection, fillings, and sensitive teeth treatments.
Digital Impressions
This is also known as 3D intraoral scanning, and is used to capture a model of your mouth. A wand-shaped tool is connected to a computer in order to create a virtual replica of the soft and hard oral tissues.
Digital impressions are less messy as compared to traditional mold materials. It is a comfortable method to create replicas, especially if you have a severe gag reflex or sensitive teeth.
3D Cone Beam CT Scan
A dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is a dental x-ray tool that is used to capture panoramic images of the inside of your mouth. It is used when conventional dental or facial x-rays prove to be insufficient.
This technology is used to produce 3D dental x-ray images of your teeth and jawbone. It helps your dentist diagnose and treat your problems more accurately.
VELscope
The VELscope is a handheld scope that is used to detect oral issues. It uses natural tissue fluorescence to help dentists discover abnormalities that may not be apparent to the naked eye.
In 2009, the VELcope was formally recognized by the World Health Organization as a commercialized medical device to cater to global health concerns. It is especially useful for viewing oral mucosal abnormalities such as premalignant dysplasia or oral cancer.
Latest advancements in dental technology not only help detect dental issues more quickly and accurately, but have also resulted in upgraded treatment procedures. If you are suffering from toothache or jaw pain, schedule an appointment with us at Northstar Dental by calling us at (303) 481-3901 today. |
