Technology
The digital revolution has brought numerous technological advances to every part of modern society including dentistry. Technology in the dental office has advanced digital records, digital radiographs, diagnostic tools, dental materials and treatment modalities. Below are some dental technologies that we are using at Montrose Dental Care.
Digital Impressions
Montrose Dental Care now uses a digital scanner for most dental impressions as an alternative to taking physical impressions with trays and impression material. The scanner takes 6000 pictures per second to create a virtual model that is sent to the lab for 3D printing.
We use the Itero-Element2 scanner to take virtual impressions for crown and bridge restorations, implant restorations, diagnostic models, night guards, orthodontic records and Invisalign treatment.
Bioscreen
At each new patient and recall appointment, your dentist completes a head and neck exam to screen for lumps, bumps, oral cancer and other abnormalities. Detecting oral cancer in early stages helps to increase survival rate. Montrose Dental Care incorporates the Bio-Screen technology to assist in the detection of early signs of oral cancer by increasing the contrast between healthy and abnormal tissue.
Computer Assisted Local Anesthetic
The wand is a computer assisted local anesthetic system used to control the flow rate and pressure of anesthetic during a local anesthetic injection. We use this system for all anesthetic delivered in the office. It is physically smaller and visually less overwhelming than traditional dental anesthetic syringes. Our pediatric patients know this system as our "sleepy juice pen".
Digital 2D and 3D Radiographs
Montrose Dental Care is a fully digital office with both digital charts and radiographs. The Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid allows us take 2D panoramic radiographs and large field of view 3D CT images with 3D volume sizes ranging from a single tooth to full maxillofacial imaging. The 3D function can be helpful during both diagnosis and treatment of a root canal, showing variations in root canal systems or infections sometimes not seen on a regular 2D dental x-ray. We also use this 3D function for treatment planning in orthodontics, implant treatments and TMD cases.
The Planmeca is also capable of taking 2D BW x-rays on children, or adults with a severe gag reflex who cannot tolerate an intra oral sensor.
Lasers in Dentistry
Montrose Dental Care uses several different medical/dental lasers used in the clinic for various treatment needs.
Montrose Dental Care hygienists use the diode laser for as part of periodontitis and gingivitis treatment. During your dental hygiene visit, our dental hygienists may recommend incorporating the use of lasers into your dental hygiene therapy. Laser therapy is used to help shift the host immune system's response to harmful bacteria and remove diseased, infected tissues of those with periodontal disease to bring the gingival tissue back to a state of health.
The benefits of using lasers in periodontal therapy include lowering the intra-oral bacterial count, reducing the risk of oral bacteria becoming systemic, increasing circulation, collagen, and fibroblastic activity (cells that build bone and tissue) and aid in re-attaching gingival fibers to reduce gingival pocket depth.
MLS Laser
The MLS laser is a cold laser therapy system that uses two different and specific wavelengths of light aimed to photo-bio stimulate damaged cells to provide an anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and pain relief effect. The main uses for cold laser therapy are tissue repair and relief from pain and inflammation. The MLS laser can be used in the dental office for:
- Decreasing inflammation in the TMJ from an injury or TMJ dysfunction (TMD)
- Decreasing pain and tension in jaw muscles
- Pain management and increased wound healing for trauma, surgical wounds and tooth extractions
- Pain management and increased wound healing from ulcerations or cold sores
- Decreasing orthodontic treatment discomfort during wire changes
Fotona LightWalker Laser
This laser has two different types of laser energy and handpieces (Nd:YAG and Er:Yag) allowing us to use this laser for both hard and soft tissue applications. We use this laser most frequently in the following dental procedures:
Root Canal Therapy: We use the Lightwalker laser and the PIPS technique as a step during root canal treatment. The Photon-Induced Photoacoustic Streaming technique was designed to help disinfect all aspects of the root canal chamber, including hard to clean areas, assisting the creation of a sterile environment before filling and sealing of the canals.
Tongue tie and frenum releases: Tongue ties and other abnormal frenum attachments such as lip ties are released and cauterized at the same time with the use of the LightWalker laser.
Hard and soft tissue recontouring: The hard or soft tissues surrounding teeth can be recontoured with the LightWalker laser during restorative procedures such as fillings or crowns to obtain an acceptable restoration margin or as part of cosmetic design cases to fix uneven tissue profiles
Bio-stimulation: Bio-stimulation is used to reduce the healing time of ulcers, cold sores and wounds.
NuCalm ® for mild dental anxiety
NuCalm is a clinical system designed to help your mind and body relax without the use of medication. NuCalm uses four different techniques that combined, stimulate natural relaxation pathways.
GABA nutrient supplement through a topical cream application. GABA is the body's natural relaxation chemical.
CES (cranial electro therapy stimulation) device. When a patient is stressed, their brain resists GABA uptake. The CES device stimulates serotonin production and increases GABA uptake, increasing relaxation.
Noise canceling headphones connected to NuCalm's music selection. The music itself is relaxing. However, the science behind the specific music collection is what stimulates relaxation.
The music contains binaural beats (different rhythmic signals in each ear) which help change brainwaves from rapid anxious brainwaves to slower speeds at the edge of sleep. As a bonus, the headphones are noise cancelling and the sound of the dental drill is decreased or blocked out.
Light blocking glasses or eye-mask.
