Equipment

Much of the equipment in our office has been selected to aid in better diagnosis of conditions and to provide the utmost comfort for our patients. Some of the equipment includes:

Digital X-rays
Until recently, our only option when taking a dental x-ray was the exposure of a small film packet, which then took between five and ten minutes to develop. Now, the digital era has brought us an exciting new technology called digital radiography.

A digital x-ray has many advantages. It’s faster, we can view images instantly, enhance those images to improve viewing and store the images electronically. What’s more, there is up to 80 percent less radiation and we avoid using chemicals, which is good for the environment.

With digital radiography, the procedure is similar to that used for traditional dental x-rays. We use a phosphorus plate which is placed in a barrier envelope. The image is taken, as usual, but there’s much less radiation exposure. X-rays are then scanned and loaded onto the computer.

Digital x-rays allow us to see details and make adjustments, which help us tremendously with our diagnoses. They also provide greater patient comfort. You’re no longer confronted with microscopic x-rays and a dentist trying to convince you of a cavity that you cannot see. Thanks to digital x-rays, a leap of faith is not required. The enlarged image of the area of concern can be as sizeable as the computer monitor will allow, permitting discussion and understanding of the problem at hand.
That makes you a more involved partner in your dental care.
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Intra-Oral Cameras
You can now see what we see! All our operatories are equipped with intra-oral digital cameras. These allow us to take pictures of your teeth and show them to you right away. The camera is approximately the size and shape of a dental mirror. It has a built-in light source with a tiny video camera. The images are displayed on a television or computer monitor, so you will be able to see problems such as worn or broken fillings, cracked teeth, plaque and calculus deposits, cavities next to fillings and excessive wear.
With a clear understanding of your dental condition, you will be able to make treatment decisions with confidence.
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Chair Mounted Computer Screens
Each chair comes equipped with a computer screen. This allows you to view your digital x-rays, intraoral camera pictures, your dental chart and educational videos that explain dental procedures. We want you to be well informed, so we’d like you to see what’s going on in your own mouth.

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Casey Educational Movies
Not sure about the difference between a crown and a sealant? Wondering how to take the best care of your family’s oral health at home? We have Casey, a library of instructive movies. An interactive patient education system, Casey covers topics of interest to you and those that reflect your clinical situation. Whether you’re an adult having a hard time flossing or your child needs a demonstration of proper brushing, these movies make it easy. They help dispel misconceptions about different dental terms and measures, encourage conversations that allow you to ask us your own specific questions and serve as helpful visual aids to demonstrate procedures, step by step.
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Electronic Charting
We use a computerized system for tracking all patient information. For every patient seen in our office, we record all existing restorations, missing teeth and required treatment on an individual chart, which is kept in the computer system. Personal information, pertinent medical history and our clinical notes are contained in each profile. X-rays and intraoral pictures are also kept on the system and are attached to the patient chart.
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Nitrous Oxide Sedation
If you tend to experience anxiety, not to worry! We offer nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas, because of its calming effect. It can make your dental visits more relaxed and enjoyable and it also diminishes anxiety problems. Patients who have benefited from nitrous oxide most often describe the feeling as being calm, unconcerned, happy, slightly numb and disconnected from what’s happening around them.

Since there are no long-lasting effects, you can drive safely after a dental appointment. Let us know if you’d like to try nitrous oxide for your dental procedure. We will review your medical history and determine if it’s right for you.