Technology
Technology is changing everyday in dentistry bringing forth options that reduce the pain and time associated with dental procedures, and most importantly improve their effectiveness. Trust Dr. Carter and his team to bring you the dental technology to improve your smile and make your visit more comfortable and productive. Click on the links below to read more about the technology we utilize and Elm Creek Dental.
CEREC 3D • Digital Radiography • Digital Imaging
Intraoral Camera • Chairside Computers • Diagnostic Wax up
Magnification • Diode Soft Tissue Laser
Velscope Oral Cancer Screening • Air Abrasion • LAVA Crowns
CEREC 3D
CEREC 3D CAD/CAM restorations can be done in one appt. We use premade blocks of porcelain and mill them to fit your tooth. Our favorite application of this technology is doing Onlays on teeth that have had large fillings that have broken or decayed but still have good parts of the tooth left we would like to preserve. We simply image remaining prepared tooth and make a porcelain restoration that fits like a puzzle piece over the top of the tooth.
Digital Radiography
With digital radiography, we take x-rays of your teeth with markedly less radiation to you than with a regular dental x-ray machine. Then we can store your x-rays on our computers and access them faster than ever before. Additionally, your images can be sent electronically to insurance companies, dramatically decreasing processing time and resulting in faster treatment.
Digital Imaging
This computer allows us to create a new smile for our patients without ever touching their mouths. Patients can see exactly what they can expect from the doctor’s smile enhancement plan before it is actually performed.
Intraoral Camera
With an intraoral camera, we can magnify your mouth and show you exactly what we’re talking about on a computer screen. This allows you to see for yourself the crack, the stain, the gap, and the receding gum line. You needn’t take only our word for it anymore.
Chairside Computers
Our patients have realized many benefits since we computerized and networked our treatment rooms. All intraoral and extraoral photography, patient records, written communication, and clinical information can be shared between the doctor and treatment areas instantly.
Diagnostic Wax-up
Making sure you get the right look, feel and function is the goal. The diagnostic wax-up model of your restored smile gives us a record of what you want so we begin the process with your results already known.
The model shows your new smile in its natural color and translucency. We also see how your new smile will improve any bite problems you may have. With the diagnostic model you are empowered to preview, give suggestions, make changes, and approve your personal “Smile Plan” before any procedures are begun. Not only can you see the excellent quality of the esthetic changes in your new smile, the model also gives you considerable assurances of feel and function.
Magnification
In pursuit of optimum health, Dr. Carter employs specialized magnification to diagnose and treat dental concerns. Under magnification, small amounts of decay, tiny cracks and other flaws can be detected and eliminated with ease. Working with this advanced technology, Dr. Carter is able to provide precise treatment, which translates to longer lasting dental restorations and possibly less dental treatment in the future. Our patients appreciate that!
Soft Tissue Laser
Dr. Carter and the hygiene team are proud to utilize dentistry’s latest technological advancement – laser periodontal therapy. In restorative and cosmetic dentistry we can contour and trim gum tissue easily and comfortably with almost no discomfort. Unlike removing tissue with a scalpel, a laser doesn’t cause bleeding or swelling. Having a comfortable post-operative experience is now the norm.
The laser can be used in conjunction with root planing – deep cleaning around the teeth and root. This kills bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Ask any of our staff about the benefits of laser therapy.
VELscope
An Innovative Approach for Oral Cancer Screening Means Longer Lives
In this year alone approximately 35,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer. When found early oral cancer has a very high survival rate, unfortunately most oral cancer is found as late stage cancer.
In order to keep his patient as healthy and happy as possible Dr. Carter uses the VELscope oral cancer
screening system.
The VELscope system allows Dr. Carter to find oral cancer earlier and easier. The system uses a powerful blue light to increase the Dr. Carter’s ability to see lesions, cancerous, and precancerous cells typically invisible to the naked eye. The light allows him to distinguish between normal and abnormal cells with a higher rate of accuracy. The results are documented using pictures and can be stored digitally. The system pinpoints the cancerous or precancerous cells allowing for more accurate removal of all diseased tissue.
Oral cancer screening with this hand-held device is a non-invasive procedure for the patient and only takes a minute or two. This small amount of time can lead to an early diagnoses or increase the confidence that the patient is cancer-free.
Air Abrasion
This technology allows us to use a handpiece that sprays small sand-like, particles at the decayed area. It works great when removing stains and small areas of decay – minimizing tooth structure removal.
Many people also appreciate this high-tech treatment because often no anesthesia is required and there is no drill sound.
LAVA Crowns
Another new technology that has really got us excited is the new LAVA crowns. Tooth colored metal like core that can replace the metal we used, allows us to make crowns and bridges in even high stress areas without the dark metal problems that can occur. The Cad/Cam machines mill the material very consistently to an accurate fit. Another big plus is that we can cover dark or tetracycline stained teeth much better than with porcelain only. Anything that makes you smile more makes us happy.
