At Nordahl Dental in San Marcos, California, we are excited about the technology we can use to enhance our dental services. We have replaced some of the older methods with remarkable devices that give us even more accurate information about your dental health and more efficient treatment.
Air Abrasion Dentistry
Air abrasion treatment is a technology that allows our dentists to bypass using a drill. The tool functions like a mini-sandblaster. It sprays out a fine stream of particles made of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture. Our doctors aim the stream at stained or decayed portions of your teeth and effectively sandblast the decay away. The particles are suctioned out of your mouth with a thin tube.
Bioceramic Root Canal Sealers
Bioceramics are biomaterials that can be used to seal a root canal after the diseased dental pulp is removed. Some bioceramics encourage the growth of healthy tissue, while others produce no response from the surrounding tissue. We use them to improve the effectiveness of root canal procedures.
Cone Beam 3D Imaging
A cone beam CT creates a 3D view and cross sections of the target area. The information it provides is critical for a number of situations, including placing dental implants, performing a complex root canal or extraction, or searching for the source of pain or infection.
Digital X-rays
Film X-rays cost a bit less than digital X-rays but the increased exposure to film X-rays is more harmful to a patient’s overall health. Our digital X-ray emits as much as 85% less radiation than traditional X-ray technology.
Panoramic X-Rays
The panoramic X-ray is the wide shot that lets us see the entire dental arch in one image. It shows not only erupted teeth but also incoming adult teeth and wisdom teeth, which is great for being able to see if there will be enough room for them or if they need some extra help or extraction. Panoramic X-rays also help to identify dental cysts, tumors, and abscesses that develop below the gum line in the dental roots and jawbones.
Bitewing X-Rays
To get a closer look at an individual region of the dental arch, we use bitewing X-rays. These are the ones where your child must bite down on a piece of plastic to hold the X-ray film in place, then wait for the beep. Normally we’ll take four in total, one for each quadrant of the mouth. These are better than the panoramic shots at showing the gaps between teeth and make it easier to spot cavities and tooth decay.
Periapical X-Rays
If we ever need an extreme close-up of a tooth, we might take a periapical X-ray. These are only necessary when it already looks like there’s a problem with that tooth and we need to see it in greater detail, and we can take these X-rays alongside the bitewings.
Intraoral Camera Technology
An intraoral camera is a small, pen-like device with a camera on the end. The camera contains a bright LED which helps us diagnose cavities or fractures that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
Laser Therapy
Gum disease has also been found, in some studies, to increase the likelihood of several serious diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease. Modern dentistry has found that lasers can be very effective in treating gum disease.
Ultrasonics
Ultrasonics are instruments that use sonic energy to clean away debris. These instruments have smaller tips that allow us to remove tartar from around and between teeth and beneath the gumline with greater precision, giving patients better results.
Velscope
When it comes to oral cancer, early diagnosis is critical. However, not all abnormalities are visible to the naked eye, and that’s where VELscope comes in. VELscope is a light-based detection system that makes it easier to spot problem areas in the mouth and throat.
Call Your San Marcos Pediatric Dentist Today
In addition to the amazing technology already present at our San Marcos office, we are constantly learning about the latest techniques and tools available to give you the best care. Call Nordahl Dental to find out more about our pediatric dentistry services and the technology we use! Check the map to see where our practice is located.