| Dental Technology Lake Forest, CA  Having clear and easy visibility of the mouth is important for us at Jeanette Thai, DDS so we are able to analyze and make diagnoses accurately and efficiently. New advancements in dental technology allow us to do this through the use of several different tools.Intraoral CameraIntraoral cameras are used to easily view the inside of the mouth and maneuver as needed. Because the camera is so small, it can capture places that would be quite difficult to see otherwise. The image is displayed as a live feed for both the doctor and patient to see, which is another benefit of these cameras - they provide transparency between the patient and the doctor. Digital X-RayBoth traditional and digital radiography has helped analyze and diagnose patients, but digital x-rays have made it even more efficient for us to care for our patients. The benefits with digital x-ray technology over conventional include the images themselves, which can be displayed larger and transferred to other computer devices to share with other departments. It is essentially the difference between taking a photo with a smartphone and taking a photo with an analog camera. Same Day CrownsModern technology has given us a new crown fitting called CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. CEREC reduces the duration of the crown fitting procedure. Under the traditional process, a cast of the patient's teeth is made and shared with the laboratory that will then make the artificial teeth. This process usually takes at least a week. CEREC brings the latest in imaging technology to dentistry. With it, a patient's dental structure can be scanned for a 3D image which will be processed by a computer. A 3D milling machine then prints the crown, in its exact dimensions, in ceramic. The patient, thus, gets a new crown on the same day. Diagnodent LaserA diagnodent laser empowers us to identify irregularities within the inner structure of your teeth. It functions as a cavity detection system and is approximately the size and shape of a toothbrush, making it effortless to insert into your mouth. The Diagnodent laser is directed onto your tooth, registering the quantity of feedback it receives in the form of light reflected by the tooth. A healthy tooth minimally absorbs light, predominantly reflecting the laser. Conversely, a tooth affected by the onset of decay will exhibit reduced light reflection and will emit fluorescence in the compromised area. Soft Tissue LaserLaser dentistry uses a narrow and focused beam of light that produces a reaction when it is applied to the tissues inside of your mouth. Lasers can be used on both soft and hard tissues in your mouth. This means that the lasers can be used to reshape gums, treat a cavity, and even whiten your teeth. As lasers are used on soft tissues in the mouth, it cauterizes the tissues. This means that most patients will not need sutures for procedures, and there is a reduction in bleeding. Another benefit is that there is much less risk of soft tissue damage when dental lasers are used. This can lead to decreased healing time and much less discomfort during the healing phase. Cone Beam CT ScanDental cone-beam computed tomography (CT) is an advanced type of x-ray technology that captures more details of a patient's mouth and face compared to traditional x-rays. From nerve tissues to bone tissues and soft tissues, a cone beam CT scanner generates 3D images that capture just about every aspect of a dental structure to help us put together more effective treatment plans and recommendations. The equipment is a square-shaped machine with either an upright chair for sitting or moveable tables for lying down during the examination. With a rotating "C" arm, the scanner takes multiple x-ray shots of a denture from different angles and combines them into virtual "slices" of an object, revealing the full composition of both the internal and external structures of various parts of a dentition. |
