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10 New Technologies That Are Changing Dentistry
CEREC – CEREC® is the ultimate convenience in dental technology! A computerized system that creates your dental restoration right in your dentist’s office, CEREC eliminates the need for the “middle man,” or dental laboratory, thus reducing the possibility of human error. With CEREC, there’s no messy impressions, no temporary crowns and no return visits to the dentist. From start to finish, you can have a dental crown or veneer created in about an hour! Dental Implants – While dentists have been experimenting with implant dentistry for years, dental implant technology has only recently made a full impression on the dental industry. What makes dental implant technology work is a process called osseointegration, where the dental implant fuses to the bone. The result is a permanent replacement for missing teeth that can last for years, if not a lifetime. Today’s dental implants look, feel and function like real teeth, and as dental implant technology evolves, so does the success rate! Digital X-rays – Let’s face it -- we’re a digital nation. So why are so many dentists still using film X-rays? For starters, traditional dental X-rays are relatively safe. But digital X-rays are gaining popularity, as they produce up to 10 times less radiation and take only seconds to develop. Digital X-rays are an excellent option for cancer patients or others who are exposed to a great deal of radiation and pregnant patients who are in need of dental X-rays. Digital dental technology has also contributed to the development of new X-ray equipment, including Panorex X-rays for a complete view of your mouth and digital tomography for 3-D images of your teeth. Digital Imaging – Digital imaging is also being used to create new restorations and impressions of your teeth. An intraoral scanner “reads” your mouth, gathering thousands of points of data to create a digital image of your tooth right on a computer screen. Digital imaging can also be used to scan the soft tissues of your mouth to create the dimensions for a dental crown, dental bridge, dental implants and more. Intraoral Camera – This type of dental technology has always been one of our favorites! A tiny camera is placed on the end of a hand-held device that your dentist can easily maneuver in your mouth. The intraoral camera allows you to see, in real time, your dental conditions on a television or computer screen. Not only does it make for a great educational tool, but the intraoral camera is also used to diagnose dental problems. Your dentist may use an intraoral camera to get a better look at dental problems not easily apparent on dental X-rays, such as gum disease and canker sores. Invisalign – This dental technology has single-handedly changed the orthodontic industry. Invisalign® consists of a set of clear, removable aligners that move your teeth into place without brackets or wires. Invisalign is completely pre-planned and computerized from the start of treatment. Your dentist will provide you with a new set of aligners about every six weeks until the desired result is achieved. Invisalign not only reduces your number of dental visits and soreness from frequent adjustments, but no one will even know you’re wearing dental braces at all! OraVerse – Do you hate the lingering numbness that stays with you for hours after you leave the dental office? OraVerse is a new dental technology designed to reverse the effects of local anesthesia so that numbness wears off in half the time. Designed for professional use, OraVerse is immediately injected by your dentist following treatment. OraVerse is an excellent option for busy professionals who need to return to work after their dental appointments or patients who wish to resume everyday activities faster, such as eating, drinking and speaking. Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning – You might not think of a dental checkup and cleaning as a high-tech procedure, but your dental hygienist may beg to differ. Ultrasonic dental cleaning is now being used to remove dental tartar faster and more thoroughly, without the uncomfortable scraping associated with a deep cleaning. An instrument called a Cavitron® uses ultrasonic vibrations to blast away stubborn dental plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. Ultrasonic dental cleaning is also an effective form of gum disease treatment that, when combined with proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet, may help reverse the symptoms of gingivitis. VELscope – It’s a sad fact that approximately 35,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year with a resulting 8,000 deaths. The good news is that early detection of oral cancer can result in an 80-90 percent recovery rate. While oral cancer exams are now an important part of dental checkups, some forms of oral cancer may not be visible to the naked eye. VELscope® is an oral cancer screening device that improves your chances of catching oral cancer early. Completely non-invasive, VELscope is a hand-held tool that casts a blue light, which causes abnormalities to appear darker than healthy tissue. What takes only a couple of minutes can add years to your life. If you don’t want to become a statistic, ask your dentist about this important dental technology. Waterlase – Laser dentistry is a fascinating new dental technology that’s eliminating the need for the dental drill! Waterlase® is a revolutionary product that uses a combination of laser energy and high-pressure water spray to remove decay from your tooth. Waterlase does not produce heat, significantly reducing discomfort and the need for anesthesia. Designed for the preparation of cavities, gum disease treatment and in some cases, root canal therapy, Waterlase is an excellent product for fearful patients who may be deterred by the sounds and smells of the dental office. A New Attitude Thanks to these recent advances in dental technology and dental laboratory technology, many anxious dental patients are getting back into the dental chair and today’s children are growing up with a whole new attitude towards dentistry. New dental technology is improving safety, efficiency, aesthetics and most of all, your comfort. And the more we embrace dental technology, the faster it may catch on in dental offices across the nation. If you’re interested in finding a dentist for any of the dental technologies listed above, call us at 1-866-970-9853. We stay on top of the most recent dental technology to improve your dental experience -- and your life! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com FOOTNOTES Biolase, “Waterlase,” biolase.com/waterlase.html (accessed September 3, 2009) ::::Additional Resources:::: www.1800dentist.com/ www.1800dentist.com/dental-encyclopedia |
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