A lot of new technology has appeared to improve Dentistry in the past  few years,  and we’ve adopted much of it right here in Kitchener

Here are some of the more noteworthy At our Kitchener Dental Office

COMPUTERIZED INJECTIONS

Local anaesthetic injection is the most fear-inducing part of dental treatment for some. It’s substantially more comfortable with the help of a computerized pump that makes the injection extremely smooth, precise and gentle. The Wand machine is particularly helpful in sensitive areas, and allows several special techniques, including one that can can numb teeth without affecting the surrounding lips and tongue.

DIGITAL MOUTH IMPRESSIONS

Our iTero digital scanner takes moulds of your teeth digitally  – without the mouthfull of impression material – and more accurately.

DIGITAL X-RAY

Digital x-rays have numerous advantages over film.  They are faster, better for the environment (no more chemicals)  and allow a lower x-ray dose to the patients. (Although we hasten to add that modern x-ray film exposures are extremely small – many times less than typical medical x-rays).

INTRA-ORAL CAMERAS

The advantages of seeing what’s happening in your own mouth are phenomenal.  These cameras for the mouth allow you to see and understand your own mouth and needs, as well as to see the treatment that’s been completed. A visual Tour of the Mouth is an integral part of our New Patient Exam.

AIR ABRASION

The dental “drill” isn’t going away anytime soon, but air abrasion technology offers a much more pleasant alternative for many areas of decay. The device uses a stream of air and fine particles to remove decay, in a sort of miniaturized “sandblasting” process. It’s quiet, and relatively painless- many small cavities can be treated without anaesthetic.

LASER DIAGNOSIS OF DECAY

Diagnostic laser technology penetrates the enamel surface and detects decay hidden beneath the surface. The machine dramatically increases our accuracy, helps distinguish between true decay and staining, and allows us to catch and repair small cavities before they become larger fillings.

NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION 

Nitrous Oxide isn’t really new technology – Dentistry has used it for over a hundred years But it’s finding increased usefulness in places like hospital delivery rooms. It’s safe – a registered nurse can be trained to deliver it, and almost anyone can use it. It’s relatively inexpensive, and it relaxes and controls anxiety remarkably well while leaving patients still awake. It’s easily adjustable throughout an appointment, and does not leave patients feeling sedated afterward.

The pain suppression of nitrous oxide is modest. It doesn’t replace local anaesthesia in permanent teeth. However routine filling in baby teeth can almost always be done with just gas, in complete comfort. Treatment without needles is a big plus for children.