Advanced Technology
What sets us apart:
When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Churchill and their staff utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality and comfort of your dental visit.
Digital Imaging
Dr. Churchill chooses carefully which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. Radiographs enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs.
Dental radiographs are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Churchill utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure time is less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital X-rays results in 1/6th the radiation exposure to the patient compared to traditional film x-rays.
Digital X-rays offer more precision since we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding up a 35mm film up to the light. The images can be enlarged for easier viewing and the contrast can be adjusted to detect various conditions including decay.
Digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.
Soft Tissue Laser
Laser use is one of dentistry’s latest advances. Dental lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. Depending on the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target.” In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each target absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Dr. Churchill utilizes Diode soft tissue lasers in their office. Diode lasers use a specific wavelength that can readily be absorbed by pigmented soft tissue.
In our office we utilize soft tissue lasers to treat a variety of tissue conditions including:
- Treatment of Periodontal Disease – Gum Disease Laser Therapy
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Cold and canker sores –
reduces pain, minimizes healing time and prevents future outbreaks at the site treated
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Reshaping and contouring Gum Tissue-
improve gummy smiles, short looking teeth and correct uneven gum tissue heights on front teeth
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Modification of Muscle Attachments (Frenectomy)-
treatment to correct tongue tied conditions, tissue extensions that inhibit denture fit and tissue in between upper front teeth that prevents the teeth from meeting in the midline causing space between the teeth
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Removal of Soft Tissue Pathology-
soft tissue folds caused by ill fitting dentures, traumatic tissue tags that caninterfere with chewing and speech
The diode laser penetrates soft tissue while sealing blood vessels and nerve endings resulting inlittle to no post-operativebleeding which eliminates the need for suturing, dressings or bandages and healing is much faster. The laser sterilizes the area being worked on so the risk of post-op infections is low.
SPECTRA is a device that detects tooth decay by measuring the tooth’s response to fluorescent light.
Dental x-rays are limited in their ability to locate small cavities in the grooves of teeth. Although a tooth may appear healthy on the outside, it’s real condition under the surface, especially true for cavities in pits and fissures are often hard to detect. Early detection of cavities means less invasive and less expensive treatment for our patients. The SPECTRA can find hidden decay in teeth in early stages, and in some cases the decay can be reversed through hygiene and fluoride treatment and may never need filling. The SPECTRA is capable of detecting cavities that may be starting around existing restorations and sealants which was a limitation of other earlier fluorescent cavity detecting devices. The SPECTRA is used to evaluate all unrestored grooves of teeth before all dental sealants are placed.
How does the SPECTRA work?
Special light intensified LEDS project blue violet light onto the tooth’s surface. Light of this wavelength stimulates special byproducts of decay producing bacteria to appear red, while healthy tooth structure fluoresces green. The data captured by SPECTRA is sent to a computer where it is saved and can be used for comparison purposes at future appointments. The SPECTRA has been approved by the FDA to be used on patients of all ages and is great for our younger patients for whom x-rays may not yet be indicated.
Intraoral Camera
Dr. Churchill utilizes intraoral camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera that allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. The intraoral pictures are viewed on either a TV or computer monitor. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you! Every operatory in the office is equipped with an intraoral camera. Intraoral cameras are great tools for diagnosis in children, and they enjoy seeing their teeth on TV.
Intra oral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.