Technology
We have come to rely on technology that makes our lives simpler in so many ways, and dentistry is no exception. At Dewey Dental, we believe that we can provide you and your family with the highest quality care by adopting technology that makes your treatments more comfortable, efficient, and productive.
Technology helps us diagnose problems quickly and accurately, increase comfort for procedures like root canals, and educate you about your oral health. Please take a moment to browse through some of the state-of-the-art technology we offer, then call us to schedule your next appointment!
Digital radiography is today’s standard for taking X-rays. Images produced with digital radiography deliver a highly detailed view of your teeth that we can share with you to show you what is happening in your mouth and why you need treatment. Digital X-rays also significantly reduce your exposure to radiation; this is an understandable source of concern for many people, so you’ll be relieved to know that digital X-rays expose you to about 80 percent less radiation than traditional film X-rays.
Another feature that patients like about digital X-rays is that instead of a bulky X-ray film, we use flat digital sensors that are positioned comfortably in your mouth. The sensor is connected to a computer software program, and moments after we take the X-ray, the image is projected on your chairside monitor so we can view it together.
Digital X-rays also eliminate the need for chemical processing, making digital imaging safer for you and better for our environment.
3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a leading-edge technology that provides a single in-depth image of your mouth. Digital X-rays are valuable because they show us a two-dimensional image of your teeth. But when we plan procedures like dental implants, root canals, or extractions, where a high degree of precision is necessary, we need to be able to see your teeth and all surrounding structures.
CBCT allows Dr. Bulleigh to see a complete 3D image of your mouth with a 360-degree view. It zooms through tissue to show gum structure, teeth, and sinuses, measures the thickness of bone and determines the orientation of nerves. These details are essential to ensure the most efficient, comfortable procedure and the best possible long-term outcomes.
Sometimes when planning your treatment, we need to see your mouth and jaw in one single X-ray. Our panoramic X-rays produce a single two-dimensional image that is highly detailed. The X-ray shows all your teeth, your upper and lower jaws, and the structures and tissues that support your teeth. Not only are these images valuable, but since they’re digital, they can reduce your radiation exposure by as much as 80 percent.
Panoramic X-rays are extraoral, which means there’s no need to place any film in your mouth. You simply stand still in front of the unit while it makes a complete circle around your head. For this reason, panoramic X-rays are a perfect solution for children or adults who can’t tolerate having X-rays taken inside the mouth.
An intraoral camera is a small camera that is specially designed for use in dentistry. This small handheld instrument is about the size of a pen and allows us to take highly detailed pictures of your teeth.
You can watch as the images appear in real-time on your chairside monitor so you can see what we see. Visualizing the problem for yourself can help you see why treatment is necessary and help us discuss options with you. The intraoral camera gives us the information we need to make diagnosis easier and more accurate.
There are very few patients who wouldn't benefit from nitrous oxide sedation. That is because nitrous is a calming gas that is completely safe when used by qualified professionals. It is referred to as inhalation sedation because the gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small nasal mask. After a few breaths, you will find yourself drifting off into a calm, euphoric state where the sounds and activity around you seem very far away. After treatment, most of our patients have little or no memory of what took place during their appointment.
Nitrous oxide is perfect for children because it is mild, gentle, and completely safe. We have helped many anxious children get the critical dental care they need with nitrous oxide sedation. As an adult, you'll appreciate that the effects of nitrous oxide last only as long as we are administering the gas, so you will be able to drive yourself home and return to your usual daily activities after your appointment.
Dentists understand that no one likes root canal treatment, and they continually look for new ways to make the procedure faster and more comfortable for the patient.
Rotary endodontics is a type of technology that makes lengthy, drawn-out root canal procedures a thing of the past. Instead of rigid stainless steel files used in the past to clear away a root canal infection, we have chosen to invest in rotary endodontics, an electrically powered instrument we use to remove root canal infection. The tip of the tool is made of nickel-titanium, which is five times more flexible than steel and can perform the unique movement needed to comfortably reach into the spaces of the root canal.
The result is a more efficient and comfortable procedure and reliable outcomes.
Everyone can use a little distraction when visiting the dentist, so we are pleased to offer TVs in our treatment rooms to keep you entertained while we work to ensure your oral health.
We know you don't want to spend any longer than necessary in the dental chair, so we do everything possible to streamline your visits. At Dewey Dental, your patient history, information, and charts are stored on our secure in-house network. This makes it easy for us to retrieve your information as needed to share with your insurance company and specialists.
Digital records are also better for the environment and allow us to easily access the information needed to make the most informed decisions about your dental treatment.
Our friendly team is ready to help.