Just as office technology has advanced in the last decades, dental technology has improved the ways we can care for your smile. There was a time when simple magnification could make a difference in diagnosing and treating dental issues, but we have moved far beyond that point. Knowing your dental office has access to the most current technology insures your oral health is well cared for. Dental technology can also increase your comfort and safety, and saves you time at every appointment.
Digital Dental X-rays
Dental x-rays allow us to see what is happening underneath your gums, and in your jaw and facial structure. Digital x-rays offer the triple benefit of much lower exposure to radiation, plus they are immediately available for view. A third benefit is that they are easily and immediately able to be sent to consulting dentists and to insurance companies. If you move to a new area, your x-rays can easily follow you. In some cases we may recommend a panoramic digital radiograph (x-ray) which is taken with a special camera. This camera moves around your head, which is stablized in position. This panoramic view allows us to see the whole mouth on a single image.
iCAT Scans (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography)
There are times we may want to capture a 3-D image of what is happening in your mouth and lower face. For example, if we suspect problems with third molars (also called wisdom teeth) it helps to see a clear picture of the teeth and if they are likely to have issues as they attempt to emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can be corrected by planned extraction, thus avoiding future problems. An iCAT scan can also help in ascertaining proper placement for dental implants, and in diagnosing and treating issues with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint.) They can also help when designing orthodontic corrections. Because an iCAT scan exposes you to more radiation than a digital x-ray, we give great consideration and only use them when needed.
Dental Technology Helps Us Help You, Every Day
If you would like to know more about dental technology, or experience how it helps us see inside your mouth, please schedule an appointment. Call for a consultation in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.
