Five Ways Technology is Changing Dentistry

From smart phones to smart homes, technology is changing the way we live and work. It offers more convenience, increased accuracy and efficiency in many of our daily tasks, including our oral health.  Like most industries, advancement in technology is changing dentistry and how dentist treat patients.  

Here are five ways technology is revolutionizing oral health:

1.     Same Day Crowns

CEREC is a device that uses CAD/CAM technology along with 3D photography to take pictures and make impressions of teeth for crown fittings. One of the major benefits of CEREC is the efficiency it provides. Dentists can now fit patients with crown for a chipped or damaged tooth during a single visit. In the past, patients in need of a crown could expect to visit the dentist two to three times simply because the crowns had to be made in a lab, which took at least a week or two to produce. This required patients to be fitted with a temporary crown and then return for an appointment for the new crown.  With CEREC the dentist can take an image and have a permanent crown made that matches their teeth perfectly within an hour.

2.     DIAGNOdent

This high-tech laser is one of the biggest breakthroughs in tooth decay diagnosis since the dental x-ray. DIAGNOdent uses a Class 1 laser that emits a pulse of light through the tooth to locate hidden decay. It does this by detecting fluorescence in the tooth. Fluorescence is radiation emitted from a tooth when there is decay present. The amount of fluorescence emitted is proportional to the degree of decay.  The laser itself is painless and non-intrusive meaning there’s no scraping scratching or poking of the teeth.

3.     NV Microlaser

Anyone who has suffered from canker sores or cold sores knows how painful they can be. Thanks to NV Microlaser those soft tissue sores can be cleared up during one treatment. This technology uses a diode laser that delivers laser energy to the soft tissue in a continuous wave or a pulse mode. This laser can also be used to treat gum disease and for cosmetic dentistry, to get rid of a “gummy” smile.

4.     Solea

Approximately 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety or fear of pain. Some neuroscientists believe the fear could stem from an effect the brain has when it hears the sound of a drill. With Solea Laser Technology, dentists can now remove cavities without the needle for Novocain or a drill and pain. Solea uses a pulsing laser that vaporizes hydroxyapatite, a mineral that makes up 90% of the tooth’s enamel. This laser effectively cuts out the decayed part of the tooth and prepares it to be filled. Solea is revolutionizing the way people feel about visiting the dentist by eliminating pain and saving the patient time considering they won’t have to wait for the Novocain to wear off after their visit. All

5.     Oral-B Genius

This smart toothbrush is cutting-edge when it comes to how people can now brushing their teeth and taking care of their oral health at home. The toothbrush system connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth and uses position detection and pressure sensor to let you know if you are missing a spot or brushing too hard. In addition, the Oral-B Genius has a built-in timer that alerts you when you’ve brushed for the right amount of time. It also tracks your brushing through an app that your dentist and hygienist can review during your next appointment.

All of these dentistry advancements make taking care of oral health easier on both the patient and dentist side. With increased accuracy and efficiency patients don’t have to worry about pain, fear and inconvenience, ultimately changing the dental field as a whole. At Artistic Dental we integrate technology and state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide patients with the best treatment options and quality care. To learn more about the technology we use or to schedule a complimentary consultation, visit our website artisticd.com.

How a dental crown can fix a chipped tooth

You realize your tooth cracked or chipped and now you’re wondering how a dentist can fix it. While there are several dental treatments that can restore a chipped tooth, one of the most common restorative procedures for damaged teeth is a crown that will match the damaged tooth. 

What is a crown and how does it work? A crown is a protective cap that is placed over the tooth, restoring it to its natural look and function. A crown acts as protection, ultimately preventing you from losing the damage tooth.

Teeth are naturally protected by enamel, the strongest tissue in the body. However, enamel can erode and crack for a number of reasons. Perhaps you tripped and fell, hitting your mouth on an object or the ground. Or had a blow to the face due to an altercation or some other type of accident. Maybe you were eating hard candy or tried to open a package with your teeth. (A big no, no!) Regardless of the cause, cracked teeth are aesthetically displeasing and can cause intense pain, especially when chewing.

If you have a chipped or broken tooth it is important to make an appointment right away with a dentist to determine the best option for restoring the tooth and making sure there is no other dental issues that must be addressed. While crowns are one of the top solutions, the dentist may also recommend other restorative procedures such as bonding, veneers and dental implants.

Reasons the dentist may recommend a crown:

·      When you have a large cavity that must be filled and it has caused severe damage to the tooth, a crown may be necessary to restore and protect the tooth

·      To protect a weak tooth from fracturing

·      To restore a tooth that is chipped, cracked or damaged

·      To cover a tooth after a root canal

·      To cover a dental implant

How is a CEREC Crown made? Technology

At Artistic Dental at the Biltmore we have invested in additional training and the CEREC technology and equipment that enables our office to provide patients with crowns on the day of an appointment. Made with a solid piece of ceramic and a 3-D image of the tooth and surrounding area, we use CAD/CAM dentistry (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing) to make the crown during a single appointment. A traditional crown would typically take multiple appointments, as it requires the dentist to put in a temporary crown and take impressions for a permanent crown that must be sent to an off-site lab to be made. With CEREC, we are also able to color-match the crown so it blends in with the rest of your teeth.

Traditional crowns:

Other types of crowns are made of metal, porcelain fused to metal, all ceramic/porcelain and resin. The dentist will examine the damage to the tooth, and determine the best type of crown for the repair. For example, a chipped tooth near the opening of the mouth would be capped with a porcelain crown because it is easy to color-match to the other teeth.

If you have a cracked, broken or chipped tooth immediately contact the office to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Dougherty or Dr. Prabhidi Adhikari. If it is urgent, we will get you in as quickly as possible.  You can contact us by phone at (602) 840-5400 or make an appointment online!