Technology

Technology is advancing dental precision by leaps and bounds. New techniques are refining existing treatments, drastically improving your comfort during procedures. The ability to detect issues earlier, while they're small, means less-invasive treatment and faster recovery times. At Sheron Dental, we're excited by the opportunity we have to share these new advances with our patients.

Goodbye Goopy Impressions

With the iTero™ intra-oral scanner, we can now make accurate digital impressions for your crown or bridge area, eliminating the need in many instances for an uncomfortable tray and putty impression. We also use the instrument for preparing Invisalign™ clear aligners. This technology means an even more precise fit for your new crown or bridge and improved accuracy for your clear aligner treatment plan. This means you'll spend less time at the dentist and more time enjoying your new smile.

75% Reduction in Radiation

Digital X-rays require no film developing, because a digital sensor placed in your mouth takes the image and stores it directly to the computer, where it's available for immediate viewing. In addition, this new technology lowers your exposure to radiation by 75% as compared to conventional non-digital X-rays. As an added benefit, because no developing chemicals are required, this style of X-ray produces no environmentally polluting waste. We also have the ability to take panoramic digital X-rays of your entire mouth, jaw, and facial structures. Digital X-rays produce image views that are not possible with standard film systems. Without compromising the original data, images can be clarified, magnified, rotated, or color coded. With digital files, newer images can be superimposed over older digital images to highlight changes in your dental health.

Intra-Oral Camera Makes You a Part of the Team

The Sheron Dental doctors believe you should have the best information available as you make decisions regarding your dental health. To that end, we employ the use of a high-tech tool, the intra-oral camera. This advanced video system provides a detailed look at the interior of your mouth, directing the display onto a view screen. Now, you can see for yourself what work needs to be done and which teeth are doing well. You'll be thrilled with how this works!

Isolite™ – A "Bright Light" in Patient Comfort

Isolite is an amazing spotlight that illuminates the oral cavity, wiping out shadows, but combined with a strong suction device that keeps your teeth and gums dry. With improved lighting and a drier work area comes greater precision. Treatments take less time to perform – a boon to your schedule. The use of the Isolite tool reduces mouth strain by supporting your open jaw. In addition, the suction prohibits saliva build-up and the swallowing of debris, so you'll no longer be subjected to a "drowning" or "gagging" sensation. You will love this revolution in dental comfort!

Active in Sports? Avoid the "Knock Out"!

Sports-related accidents can really do a number on your teeth! Annually across the United States, approximately 5 million teeth are lost due to being "knocked out," which is why we recommend a custom fit mouthguard to save your teeth. The one-size-fits-all mouthguards found in stores don't often fit correctly. A loose mouthguard restricts your ability to breathe properly during running or other strenuous activities. On the other hand, a custom-made mouthguard fits and protects well, may improve your performance, and can be worn for any sport. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends, for both children and adults, wearing mouthguards for nearly all sports activities.

The Laser Scanner Finds Miniscule Cavities Years Earlier

Occasionally, a huge cavity will show up in your mouth and it makes you wonder, "How did my dentist miss this, when I'm here every six months for a cleaning or a checkup?" The truth is the cavity did exist six months prior – it just wasn't big enough to show on X-rays, and it wasn't visible to your dentist yet.

Before the advent of the laser scanner, patients would complain to their dentist of tooth sensitivity or mild to severe pain, yet X-rays and examination couldn't pinpoint the source. Very often patients were handed sensitivity toothpaste to deal with the problem. At other times, dentists would perform root canals to get the pain or sensitivity to stop, when the actual source turned out to be undetectable decay. For this reason and many others, we use a laser scanner here at Sheron Dental. A laser scanner discovers cavities years earlier, when a miniscule cavity can be removed and repaired with a tiny, almost invisible bonded filling. At the earliest possible moment, we want to detect decay, remove the discomfort, and leave you with a healthy smile.

Nothing beats an easier, more comfortable dental visit. If you have questions about the latest dental technology, give us a call today at 360-573-8181.