New Trends in Dentistry Means Less Pain, More Gain

New Trends in Dentistry Means Less Pain, More Gain

The practice of dentistry has been revolutionized. New instruments and techniques help dentists diagnose and treat their patients faster, less painfully, and with more accuracy.

New cosmetic procedures make smile makeovers a reality for more and more people.

While it may not be your favorite place to go, new trends in dentistry can make your dental visit much more pleasant than ever before.

• It is easy to dislike dental x-rays the film holders pinch your gums, gagging is common, and you worry about exposure to too much radiation. A new digital x-ray called a digital panorex films all your teeth at once by traveling around your head. It generates much less radiation than traditional x-rays and produces pictures of your teeth, bone, and surrounding tissue in seconds. Digital images can be enlarged and colorized for a more accurate and complete diagnosis, and can then be emailed to specialists, insurance carriers, etc.
• Computer imaging also helps dentists to create life-like images of their patients smiles. Before starting a treatment like porcelain veneers or bonding, a dentist can create a picture that approximates the look of the patients appearance after treatment. This allows the patient and dentist to discuss changes to the treatment for the end result the patient desires, as well as giving the spouse and/or lab an opportunity for their input.
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• Two new machines help dentists diagnose tooth decay in the early stages, before significant cavities form. DIFOTI (Digital Imaging Fiber-Optic Trans-Illumination) is an extremely intense light that is shined on and through the tooth to show decay between teeth and in hard-to-see areas. It is completely painless and does not use radiation.
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• DIAGNOdent is a small laser-like wand that looks for cavities based on the softness of a tooth. It is more accurate than the traditional metal explorer used by dentists and dental hygienists. These two new diagnostic aids help dentists find decay sooner and more precisely. Fillings in the early stage of decay require less drilling, less destruction of the tooth, and, in most cases, no pain.
• One of the instruments used to produce pain-free dentistry on the incipient early-stage cavities is called Air Abrasion. It is like a mini-sandblaster. It removes decay with a powerful air stream of fine aluminum oxide powder. Air abrasion allows the dentist to remove less of the decayed tooth and to drill and fill cavities in seconds, usually without anesthesia. It is particularly suited to children, many of whom are afraid of needles or the noise of the drill.
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• Cosmetic dentistry is a growing trend, especially among aging baby boomers seeking a more youthful look. Bleaching restores stained, mottled teeth to a whiter and brighter color. The procedure is relatively painless and quick, short enough to be done during a lunch break or on the way home from work.
• Porcelain laminate veneers correct crooked, broken, misshaped, or seriously discolored teeth. They are like fake fingernails, with almost 100% long term success. They are made from a thin layer of porcelain that is colored to look natural in the patients mouth. No more false tooth or dentures look — todays veneers look completely natural. The veneer process is relatively quick. In just two dental visits over one to two weeks, patients can get a brand new smile. You probably have seen hundreds of veneers on Hollywood smiles, and even friends, and never new it!