What's New in Dentistry

ViziLite exams can help identify abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer. An annual ViziLite exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life. See the ViziLite web site for more detailed information.

Invisalign is successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. It can also relieve more complex issues, including overbites, underbites and even crossbites. For more information you can visit the Invisalign Website.

Lumineers are porcelain veneers that require little or no removal of sensitive tooth structure, and can make a smile more beautiful with no shots drilling or pain. View before and after photos. You may be a good candidate.

Digital X-Rays are instant images of natural teeth, significant reduction in radiation exposure, the ability to enhance the x-rays for earlier diagnosis of pathology, identifying cracks and much more.

Power Whitening is an in office two-hour session. A 35% based Hydrogen Peroxide solution is applied to the teeth, which on the average, results in two to five shade changes of lightening. There is some post-op sensitivity to temperature that resolves within 24 to 72 hours. Most people require two to five sessions for the desired results with touch ups once a year.

Microdentistry has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of dental cavities. Dental cavities in the pits and fissures of a tooth can be extremely difficult to identify. Radiographs and clinical evaluations have their limitations. Even with an experienced eye, small cavities can go undetected for many months.

Diagnodent is a small battery-powered laser designed to assist in diagnosis of pit and fissure cavities. This device emits pulsed light and measures the fluorescence within the tooth. Healthy tooth structures do not fluoresce, while cavity materials do. This gives the dentist valuable information about the tooth structure within a pit or fissure.

Air abrasion was recently reintroduced in dentistry to help in removing unwanted tooth structures or failing tooth-colored fillings, in place of the "drill." Because air abrasion does not produce vibrations, often no anesthetic is needed.

Sealants are plastic coatings that may be placed over the chewing surface of a back tooth having deep grooves where cavities may otherwise start.