The post Same-Day Crowns appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Getting a crown used to mean multiple office visits and weeks of waiting time, but now there is a much more convenient option—same-day crowns. Same-day crowns and other tooth restorations can be made in the dentist’s office and often in minutes using technology known as Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
Traditional crowns require you to get temporary crowns while you wait for the permanent crown to be made. Same-day crowns eliminate the expense of the temporary crown, and the expense of the multiple appointments that traditional crowns require.
With temporary crowns, you have to be careful how you eat so that the temporary crown doesn’t fall out. With same-day crowns, you will have full functioning of your teeth again.
Caring for your crown is very similar to caring for your natural teeth. As always, you need to regularly brush and floss. With crowns, it’s even more important to maintain a regular schedule of professional cleanings at the dental office. If you have a grinding habit, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard to protect your teeth and crowns.
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]]>The post Laser Decay Diagnostics appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Laser cavity detection is based on the fact that healthy tooth structure reflects light, or “fluoresces,” differently than does decayed tooth structure. Teeth with decay will display a higher level of fluorescence, and the higher the fluorescence, the more advanced the tooth decay. Laser decay technology also puts out an audio signal when it finds areas of decay.
Prior to using a laser scanner, dentists depended upon X-rays and using fine picks to identify cavities. Not only is this process uncomfortable, it’s also harder to diagnose decay in areas with limited visibility, like underneath the gum line. Laser technology provides about a 90% accuracy rate for identifying suspicious areas and cavities.
If tooth decay is caught early enough, you might not even need a filling at all, meaning laser technology not only improves early cavity detection, but reduces the size and number of fillings you might need over time. This means that you will be better able to preserve your natural teeth and avoid the need for expensive dental treatments.
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]]>The post Intraoral Camera appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Benefits of using an intraoral camera:
You and your dentist will be able to see with precision where you might need to brush or floss more, or how your current oral healthcare routine is working.
You will be able to see the difference before and after a treatment, and the progress of a treatment over time.
The intraoral camera can magnify images of your teeth and gums, which helps dental health professionals diagnose gum disease and cavities, and if caught early enough, help prevent them.
These photos can provide proof insurance companies need to give coverage.
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]]>The post Digital X-Rays appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Digital X-rays are obtained by putting a small electronic sensor in the mouth, and captured images can be pulled up instantly on a computer screen.
Unlike traditional X-rays that require an intermediary chemical process, your dentist can abstain and evaluate your X-rays almost instantly.
Digital X-ray images are clearer than traditional X-rays and your healthcare provider can zoom in and out, making it easier for them to detect potential problems.
Digital X-rays can be easily emailed to different specialists if needed, and can easily be stored on your computer.
Compared to traditional X-rays, digital X-rays reduce your exposure to radiation by up to 90%. Even though risk is reduced, there is still a slight risk that radiation from X-rays will cause cellular changes that may lead to future disease. Their benefits outweigh their risk, which is why they are so commonly used. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about your safety, or why an X-ray is recommended for you.
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]]>The post Digital Dental Impressions appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Digital impressions create accurate virtual representations of your teeth and bite by taking a series of digital photographs. The resulting virtual model of your mouth allows your dentist or dental specialist to determine the best plan of care for you.
Getting digital impressions is not invasive and takes little time. First, the teeth are dusted with titanium dioxide powder. Then, an intraoral wand scans the teeth and mouth. If you are getting restorations, the scans will be sent to the lab where the bridge, veneer, crown, or oral appliance will be made.
Digital impressions mean:
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]]>The post Cone Beam CT Imaging appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>With 3D scans, dentists and dental specialists can now evaluate:
This is especially important in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, where soft tissue might be blocking the airways during sleep. These images will also show tumors and irregular growths, and can help your dentist plan for oral surgery.
Knowing the exact location and size of your teeth helps in planning treatment for braces or impacted teeth.
Knowing the location, size, density of your bones will help determine the best plan of action to take if you need an implant or jaw surgery.
When you get a cone beam CT scan, an imaging device rotates around your head. The scanner records between 150 and 600 different X-ray views in under a minute and sends the scans to a computer where a virtual, three-dimensional model is created from the images. The model can be rotated from side to side or up and down, magnified, or viewed from any angle needed. So not only can your dentist see your entire tooth’s anatomy, they can zoom in to see the condition of your root canal itself. This allows your dentist or dental specialist to prepare your procedure, or examine your health in great detail without you having to sit in an uncomfortable position, or without you even needing to be present.
Like X-rays, CT scans are associated with low amounts of radiation exposure, so it’s important to consider the risk before getting a scan. Most often, the benefits of getting a CT scan outweigh the risks, but it’s particularly important to be cautious for those with preexisting health conditions.
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]]>The post Anesthesia Wand appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>Because of the wand’s less intimidating appearance, it is a great option if you are nervous around shots and needles or if you experience extreme dental phobia or anxiety. It is especially useful for children who aren’t yet accustomed to injections.
There are many benefits that come with using the anesthesia wand, including:
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]]>The post Air Abrasion appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>A fine stream of particles, such as silica, aluminum oxide, or baking soda, is directed at the stained or decayed portion of the tooth. The particles are propelled by compressed air or gas that runs through the air abrasion instrument. As this steady and powerful stream is directed at the tooth, particles of decay on its surface are blasted away. As the particles detach from the tooth, they are quickly suctioned through a tube.
There are a few advantages to using air abrasion over the traditional drilling method, such as:
Air abrasion can also assist your dentist with other procedures, including:
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