In this section I will keep everyone informed of the latest and most high tech advances in dentistry. I will keep this section very current so you can periodically take a look at this area and find out about what changes are occurring in dentistry to make the dental experience more comfortable and help people lead healthier lives through modern dental care.

DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS

We have added the latest technology and revolutionary new tool in our continuing commitment to excellent, caring dentistry. The new Digital Impression System called the Cadent iTero was designed to replace the “dreaded goop,” unpleasant taste, drooling and a host of other unwanted things associated with traditional impression taking in the Dentist’s chair. “iTero enables Dr. Arjes and myself to provide our patients a technological advancement that is far superior to conventional methods of crown and bridge development,” says Dr. Marx.

By using a hand held wand to optically scan the area to be restored, the patient’s entire impression is created 100% digitally with no mess or bad taste. “This means it is much more comfortable for the patient and provides nearly perfect computer generated models for the lab resulting in the look and feel of natural teeth the first time,” adds Dr. Marx.

The iTero uses a small handheld scanner to capture the exact orientation, size and shape of the tooth or area to be restored and instantly produces a three-dimensional image on the screen for both patient and Dentist to review. Once the image is approved, it is forwarded electronically to a dental lab for the most accurate and aesthetic and production of a crown or bridge in the industry today.

DETECTING CAVITIES

At one time about 10 years ago, some experts had predicted that cavities were becoming a thing of the past due to fluoride in the drinking water, improved design of toothbrushes, education in the schools, and protective sealants on children’s teeth. Elimination of cavities is not true today if it ever was.

I sadly see far too many cavities in adults and children. The reasons are not to difficult to figure out:

  1. The “average” American eats 200 pounds of sugar each year!
  2. A 12 oz. can of Coke has 17 tablespoons of sugar in it!
  3. The average person brushes for an average of 50 seconds. We recommend 2 minutes!

Unfortunately dentists today see quite a number of cavities. We also note that what often appears to be a small surface cavity (like a small pinpoint), has expanded inside the tooth into a significant, dangerous cavity.

A tooth is somewhat like an M&M candy, with a hard outer shell (enamel) and a softer inner part (dentin). If a dentist can spot a cavity while it is tiny, he can repair it easily, inexpensively, and sometimes without numbing.

DETECTING CAVITIES EARLY WITH A LASER

I am sure that everyone prefers not to have a cavity. If however a cavity can be spotted by the dentist while it is very small, before significant damage has occurred, the repair can be very simple and extremely conservative.

The Diagnodent Laser is one of the new tools available to the dentist. I use this tool in my office every day. The Diagnodent is a small laser that uses a very low energy laser to look through the biting surface of teeth and measures soft spots in the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth. It alerts us that a small cavity has been found. If a cavity is detected that early, it can be repaired with an extremely conservative filling. THE EARLIER A CAVITY CAN BE FOUND, THE SMALLER THE RESTORATION (FILLING) THAT NEEDS TO BE PLACED, THE STRONGER THE REMAINING TOOTH STRUCTURE WILL BE. LARGE CAVITIES LEAD TO LARGE RESTORATIONS AND THIS CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CROWNS (CAPS) ETC.

I feel the Diagnodent is a giant step forward in preventing big problems and saving teeth.