Technology

DIAGNOdent

The DIAGNOdent Laser Caries (cavity/decay) Detector is one of the most exciting innovations in dentistry today. Dentistry today places the greatest emphasis upon performing the most conservative treatment possible. Additionally, more and more patients place value on healthy and attractive teeth. In order to maintain them and to provide the most conservative treatment, the earliest possible care is essential. DIAGNOdent helps you with early detection of dental decay.

Since even the smallest spot of decay can threaten the integrity of the entire tooth, finding and filling cavities is the key to preventing further problems of all kinds. Historically, that's why lengthy poking and prodding sessions have been an acceptable, if not very comfortable, part of typical dental exams. However, many people don't realize that these methods of decay detection are only 50% to 75% successful. Cavities often hide along fissure lines, or inside biting (occlusal) surfaces. Further, these mechanical exploratory methods are limited to finding only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the probe head. For all these reasons, we've invested in DIAGNOdent: a revolutionary new, thorough means of detecting cavities, so your exam can be fast, easy, and nearly imperceptible.

Laser Reflection Spots Imperfection

DIAGNOdent technology uses a simple laser diode to inspect your teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a known healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. How? First, we aim the laser at a healthy enamel tooth surface to give us a benchmark reading. Then, we continue around your mouth, shining the laser on all suspect areas. When the laser encounters a surface that reads differently than the healthy baseline value, it produces a light of a different wavelength. A reading of 10-20 indicates some enamel softening, pointing to a potential problem area that merits close monitoring. A reading of 21-100 indicates a definite area of decay requiring a filling.

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Intraoral Cameras

As always, it is our goal to offer our patients the highest quality dental care possible. We strive to make sure that each patient in our practice receives personalized comprehensive treatment tailored to their individual needs. As some of you might have already noticed we now have in our office a new state-of-the-art intraoral camera and computer system. It allows us to provide services to our patients that few offices can.

During your routine visit you will be shown actual photos of your teeth on our computer. Using a miniature camera placed in your mouth, we are able show you problems that may require attention. The area is magnified 24 times! You’ll be amazed at how clear it all appears!

   

We feel that it is one of our key responsibilities to educate our patients about their dental health and treatment. This is the team approach to dental care, doctors, staff, and patient. Our new system allows you to become an integral part of this team.

This system also improves our cosmetic dentistry services. The imaging software can show before and after photos of any proposed cosmetic services. It will show you what your smile will look like after teeth are straightened or whitened. It can fill spaces where your teeth are missing or repair chips in your teeth. All of this will be done without an instrument touching your mouth. They say "a picture is worth a thousand words." This picture can be worth a new smile. You will see a new you!

We would like to give any of our patients interested in creating a new smile an opportunity to see what can be done with modern cosmetic dentistry. For this reason we are offering a NO CHARGE Cosmetic Imaging Consultation. Please call and schedule a no risk appointment.

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ScanX

Wouldn't it be nice if a dentist could somehow look painlessly into your mouth, clearly identify every external and internal anatomical structure, and accurately diagnose your dental problems… all within seconds and with minimal radiation exposure? And what if that information could be immediately translated into a large, clear, accurate image, allowing you and your dentist to discuss it together? This may sound too good to be true, but thanks to a relatively new dental imaging process called digital radiography, it’s real. Digital radiography’s technology improves and simplifies the way we care for our patients’ teeth, resulting in better dental evaluations and treatment decisions.

In order to provide the most accurate diagnosis, our office utilizes the ScanX digital x-ray system.

Using ScanX, a highly detailed image is almost instantaneously translated onto our computer screen, carrying with it all the conveniences of digitized images: it can be rotated, magnified, adjusted for contrast, and even color-coded for educational purposes. The larger image also helps the patient understand the doctor's explanations more easily and enables the doctor to "zoom in" and investigate specific areas of the tooth. Further, we store it easily and efficiently in our computer files, eliminating paper files as well as image wear and tear. For insurance purposes, referrals, or patient education, it can be easily, inexpensively and faithfully reproduced any number of times.

An important advantage to this new technology is that it significantly reduces the amount of radiation received by the patient, often by as much as 90%. Digital x-rays are also considerably faster. Additionally, this new technology is friendly to the environment since no chemicals are needed for developing the image.

We believe that digital radiography allows us to provide the most thorough diagnosis of your dental condition. The large, clear images allow us to immediately discuss the findings with our patients. And because it helps our patients clearly understand the issues their dental health, we’re able to work together to determine the very best treatment options.

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VersaWave

How would you like to have a beautiful, tooth-colored filling without needing to be numb and be able to chew immediately? Sound like science fiction? Well at Sonne and Shapiro Dental, this is what we offer our patients each day, thanks to our VersaWave Laser System!

The VersaWave Er:YAG dental laser is excellent for both adults and children alike. Compared to the traditional dental drill, the dental laser lacks the high-pitched noise and causes no vibration. It is also excellent for use on both the teeth and gums.

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