Comfortable & Pain-Free Visits
Over 50% of adults have some fear about coming to the dentist. Our goal is to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Besides our friendly and understanding dentists and staff, here are just a few options we offer to help your appointment as pain-free as possible!
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation (aka “laughing gas”) is a very effective way for our dentists to help you stay relaxed and comfortable during a dental procedure. It is a very light form of sedation, which works fast and wears off quickly. It is administered through a small face mask or small tube that releases the gas into your nostrils to keep you calm/
- Numbing Gel is used before all oral injections are given. This eases the pain and makes the numbing process as comfortable as possible.
- Intravenous Sedation puts you in a deep state of relaxation almost immediately. You can complete your dental treatment while you sleep and you will not remember anything once you wake up from the sedative. Read more on Sedation.
Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera is a very small highly advanced dental camera that we use to take photos of inside of your mouth. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth, and gums. We can give you a tour of your mouth and display the images on a computer. This helps our doctors make an accurate diagnosis, as well as to enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis and less chair-time for you!
Intraoral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These treatments can be printed for you, for other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.
Overall, this camera allows you to be an active partner in your dental treatment by enabling you to see what we see inside your mouth! With a clear understanding of your dental conditions, you can make treatment decisions with confidence.
Digital X-rays
Computers and TV screens are our office’s primary methods of information processing. This enables us to be as efficient as possible and, of course, respect your time as our patient. We use Digital radiography within our practice for all of our patients. We use computerized equipment and software to capture x-ray images of your mouth and teeth by exposing a small sensor or plate that feeds the image into a computer.
Advantages of digital radiography:
- Faster & safer diagnosis and dental treatment
- Safer, with no chemical development and less radiation than standing out in the sun on the beach! (80% less radiation than conventional x-rays)
- We can view images instantly
- We can enhance images to improve viewing
- Images can be stored electronically and e-mailed to specialists and insurance companies
Early Cavity Detection
Our dentists use a Diagnodent to help them find tooth decay more effectively. A Diagnodent is a type of dental technology that looks like a thick pen, that uses a harmless laser probe to detect early stages of decay. It is able to give us an idea of decay growing on the surface or grooves of your teeth. This is something that x-rays or a visual exam may not always show. Catching the cavity early prevents the spread of decay and can help save your tooth!
Why do we use a Diagnodent:
- Early cavity detection
- Find decay that the human eye cannot find
- Prevents spread of decay
- Saves you time and money in the future
- Provide best possible dental care to you, the patient
Precision Dentistry
Our doctors and hygienists wear magnifying lenses (also known as loupes) to enhance the precision of dental care. They look like glasses with a microscope! Dentistry is micro-surgery. These advanced glasses allow treatment to be as precise and accurate as possible, which is of utmost importance while working on your teeth! You cannot fulfill that level of care with the naked eye.
In addition to allowing them to see up close, the focusing lens directs a beam of light directly on the teeth, minimizing glare to you while in the chair.
In tandem with the lenses, our dentists use electric “hand-pieces” (dental drills) for many procedures, which results in extraordinarily precise contact with your tooth and your new restoration (crown, filling, etc.). With a more precise instrument, there is less noise, less vibration, and a more comfortable visit for you!
For more information, call our office today for a FREE consultation at: (630) 369-3120.
