SERVICES:

The following are some exciting technologies that we are using at the current time.

We provide a wide range of dental services. In addition to basic dental needs such as cleanings, composite (tooth colored) fillings, crowns (caps) and bridges, partial and full dentures and extractions; we are doing cutting edge procedures.

LASER DENTISTRY:

Our COL Laser has shown to be a great adjunct to many of procedures. we now can utilize our laser to treat a number of conditions with less pain and quicker outcomes. To the right is a example of a patient that had exessive gum tissue around her front six teeth, our laser was able to recontour the tissue, making for a much more presentable smile without anaesthetics.

CEREC:

Most dental restorative methods require more than one visit to the dentist. This means that on the first visit, you get an injection of anesthesia, your tooth prepared, an impression taken, and a temporary restoration put on your tooth. You make a second appointment for a couple of weeks later, get another injection, have the temporary pried off (if it hasn't fallen off already), and have a permanent restoration put on. Why go to the dentist a second time when After CEREC you don't have to? With CEREC, the procedure is done in a single appointment, start to finish. Click here for more information on Cerec.

ZOOM:

Zoom! is the culmination of extensive research into light technology, chemical reaction to light and years of traditional tooth whitening experience. Combining this proprietary light technology (specially designed for tooth whitening) with a specifically formulated hydrogen peroxide gel in a two part delivery system results in a tooth whitening system that significantly reduces the time it takes to achieve dramatically whiter teeth.

Zoom! is a light activated bleaching system that is becoming more and more desired by our patients. It only requires 11/2 hours of time in our office to achieve wonderful results. A Zoom consultation appointment is required prior to scheduling a Zoom bleaching appointment. At the initial appointment we review the process and take impressions for trays that you will receive after your Zoom appointment. Click here for more information on Zoom!

WHITENING & BLEACHING:

Currently we have 3 levels of bleaching available to our patients. We consider Crest Strips and similar products to be the mildest form of demonstrative bleaching. These products appear like scotch tape and are folded over the front upper and lower teeth. We have the “Crest Strip Professional Kits” that are stronger than the Crest Strips that can outside of our office. These strips can improve shades overtime with a peroxide formulation between 4 and 6%. These seem particularly useful with teenagers after their braces have been removed and a mild bleach is desired. Usually the strips are worm for about 2 weeks for 2 hours a day.

Before

After

DO NOT USE THESE STRIPS FOR MORE THAN 3 WEEKS CONSECUTIVELY AS THEY MAY CAUSE SLOUGHING OF THE TISSUES.

Tray bleaching is process in which a softened mouth guard is custom made. The peroxide formulation is usually 15-20%. Usually the patient wears the tray for 2 to 3 weeks for 1 to 2 hours per day. Tray bleaching is excellent for removing yellow and brown stains out of teeth but tends not to remove gray shades. We stay current and use the best product available. Currently we are using The Opalescence Whitening Gel, which is one of only 5 products that are ADA approved.

COMPOSITES FILLINGS(tooth colored) OR AMALGAM FILLINGS(silver):

This is still a controversial issue in dentistry. There are many unsubstantiated or unproven criticisms of amalgam, such as amalgam causes Alzheimer Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, and Multiple Sclerosis.There is an unproven claim that amalgam causes teeth to fracture more easily due to their tenancy to expand more rapidly than natural tooth structure. We still favor composite restorations over amalgam fillings because of the following reasons: They look so much better. They are bonded to the tooth and don’t rely on amalgam corrosion to form a seal. They can be bonded to if they chip, usually without the need for an injection, unlike an amalgam which needs to be redone. Statistically, composites have nearly the same hardness and physical properties as amalgam. We are starting to see composites that were placed over 10 years ago in our practice and they still are holding up well. Composites conduct heat and cold less than amalgams and we rarely if ever have seen a tooth sensitive because of composite placement. Composites require less drilling because they do not require an undercut to stay in place. Amalgams tend to permanently darken teeth over time. (We have had a number of patients want us to replace their amalgam fillings because their teeth are so dark and even after the new composite is placed the darkness remains on the outside of the tooth.) We can contour composite fillings better to your opposing and adjacent teeth. Amalgams are outlawed in most European countries and that trend is continuing

LASER DIAGNOSIS = DIAGNODENT:

One of the most important things we do for our patients is to identify and restore teeth with active decay. Since even the smallest areas of decay can threaten the integrity of the entire tooth, finding and restoring cavities is the key to preventing future problems. We “poke and prod” with explorers to try to feel cavities in fissure lines on chewing surface or at the gum line. These mechanical exploratory methods are only 60-75% effective in locating decay. We not have a revolutionary method in detecting decay called the Diagnodent.

Diagnodent technology uses a simple laser diode to inspect your teeth, comparing a reflected wavelength against a known healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. As the laser pulses into grooves of unfilled or uncrowned teeth the resulting reflected light is evaluated electronically to reveal a value between 0 and 100. If the laser encounters a decayed area, it will reflect emission of light of a different wavelength. Area ding of over 35 indicates a definite area of decay and would require a filling.

This technology allows us to catch areas of decay sooner and with more precision. We have been using this technology since 2000 and yet to find a false positive reading. We are proud that we have this diagnostic tool.

AIR ABRASION:

Air abrasion was developed to remove decay with a pressurized stream of microscopic abrasive powder. The powder is made of aluminum oxide particles. Air abrasion offers an alternative to the high-speed hand piece (dental drill) for some simple procedures, especially in children. It is very quiet and produces much less heat or vibration compared to a dental drill. Some small cavities can be prepared without the need for local anesthesia. Air abrasion does have some limitations. It is intended for use on the chewing surface or outside area of the tooth . Only tooth-colored composite resin can be used to fill the prepared tooth because of their smallish size. Also they can only be used on teeth that have not been filled previously.