Advances in technology improve dental treatments and patient outcomes.

Over the last century, advances in dental technology have completely transformed the field of dentistry. Advances that make up the basic fabric of dentistry today were once absolutely revolutionary, from the fluoridation of water and toothpaste to the introduction of digital x-rays or the discovery that titanium’s biocompatibility makes it ideal for implants. Integrating new technologies into the dental field transforms your experience at the dentist. Many treatments are now more successful as well as easier and more comfortable for you—often with faster healing times. As a result, we work hard to keep up with the latest technology. We want you to have the best experience and results possible during each appointment. Here are a few of the cutting-edge technologies that might help transform your next visit to our office.

Single Day Crowns

While traditional crowns take two procedures over the course of several weeks to receive, you can get single day crowns in just one appointment. CEREC’s cutting-edge technology allows Dr. Alhadef to design your crown on a computer and mill it directly in our office—all in just under an hour! As a result, Dr. Alhadef is able to prepare your tooth by shaving it down to the correct size and place your permanent crown all in a single visit. This eliminates the need for a temporary crown, prevents you from needing to take an extra day off work for a second procedure, and minimizes the number of times you’ll need to get your mouth numbed.

Since it would take too long to make multiple crowns in our office, Dr. Alhadef only uses single-day crowns for patients who only need one crown for a tooth that isn’t a front tooth. If you’re a good candidate for single day crowns, however, they’re often faster and more convenient. They’re also made from porcelain, just like traditional crowns, so there’s absolutely no sacrifice in quality.

Digital Imaging

When you get a single day crown, you’ll also get to experience CEREC’s digital imaging technology. It allows Dr. Alhadef to capture a 3D digital image of your teeth by quickly passing a small wand, about the size of an electric toothbrush, over your teeth. This eliminates the need for you to endure the foul-tasting, messy putty that’s usually used to take dental impressions. It’s also faster and more accurate. (This is because the bubbles that form in the dental putty can distort the impression of your teeth.) The digital model that this scan produces also allows Dr. Alhadef to closely examine the details of your crown. He can check to ensure that it won’t put too much pressure on the neighboring teeth, make adjustments to its thickness, and examine how the crown will interact with your bite.

Laser-Assisted Dental Implants

When you receive a dental implant, the first procedure involves making an incision in your gums and embedding a titanium metal rod into your jaw. Finding the exact spot in your jaw isn’t always straightforward. Dentists usually need to cut a flap in your gums to find the right location for the implant. Thankfully, new laser technology allows dentists to make smaller, more precise cuts exactly where they’re needed. In addition to reducing or eliminating the need for sutures, lasers cause less bleeding and sterilize wounds as they cut. This minimizes the chance of infection, causes less pain, and helps your gums to heal faster.

Intraoral Cameras

If you’ve ever wished there was a way for you to see what Dr. Alhadef is talking about when he’s trying to explain an issue or potential treatment, you’ll love the idea of intraoral cameras. These handheld cameras are just a little bigger than a pen, allowing them to maneuver in your mouth easily. They can send images directly to an iPad or TV screen in the room. This allows Dr. Alhadef to show you exactly what he’s talking about in real-time. The images taken by the intraoral camera can also be used in insurance claims since x-rays don’t always show an issue, like failing crowns, as well as a high-quality digital photograph does.

All these new technology innovations work together to improve your oral health and transform your experience at our office. As it continues to develop, technological advancements will keep providing even better treatment results, increased comfort for patients, and faster healing times. If you’d like to learn more about the cutting-edge dental technology Dr. Alhadef uses at our office and how it might benefit you, feel free to call our office with questions or schedule a consultation.