Technology
Digital Impressions
By using intra-oral optical scanning devices, the need for patients to have a messy conventional dental impression taken of their teeth is eliminated. Digital optical impressions enable the dentist to more efficiently and effectively obtain an accurate computer generated representation of their patient’s teeth along with the surrounding tissues. In addition to being much more comfortable for the patient, a digital impression eliminates the need for the dentist to either create a stone model from the impression, or to mail the impression directly to the laboratory for any type of work to be done. Digital impression information is transmitted electronically, significantly reducing the turnaround time of any needed outside laboratory work. Digital impressions are also integral to systems that produce same day, in-office ceramic restorations.
Digital Radiography
Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and digital sensors for the acquisition, viewing, storage, and sharing of radiographic images. It offers several advantages over the older traditional film based methods of taking x-rays. The most significant of these advantages is that digital radiography reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation. Other benefits are that images can be viewed instantly after being taken, can be seen simultaneously as needed by multiple practitioners, and can be easily shared with other offices. Digital x-rays are also safer for the environment as they do not require any chemicals or paper to develop.
An electronic pad, known as a sensor is used instead of film to acquire a digital image. After the image is taken, it goes directly into the patient’s file on the computer. Once it is stored on the computer, it can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.
E4D
At the pinnacle of advanced healthcare technology, the E4D CAD/CAM restorative systems and software solutions enable dental practices to provide their patients with “same day” in-office ceramic restorations. With E4D technology your dentist can take digital impressions, create virtual models, and precisely mill the highest quality ceramic restorations all on the very same day. Using this advanced approach to care eliminates the need for messy impressions, the inconvenience of multiple dental appointments and the extra wait required with outside laboratory-fabricated restorations.
Laser Dentistry
One of the significant advances in modern dentistry has been the development of dental laser technology. Today, dental lasers are being increasingly used to treat tooth decay, periodontal disease, perform biopsies or the removal of oral lesions, to cure restorative (filling) materials, as well as to activate in-office teeth whitening systems.
Dental lasers combine laser energy with water and air to safely cut and shape target soft or hard tissues in the mouth. Laser energy precisely cuts through tooth structure by exciting the water molecules in the tooth. It operates without direct contact to the tooth without heat, vibration, or pressure thereby minimizing the discomfort of the procedure and the need for dental anesthesia. In addition dental lasers can reduce anxiety for patients fearful of dental work, minimize post-operative bleeding and swelling, and preserve healthy tooth structure during the removal of decay.
While dental lasers may be an excellent treatment option in some situations, they cannot be used for every dental procedure.
