The office is completely computerized, including the treatment rooms. This allows the use of computerized X-rays and digital cameras for diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as providing up to date information about you. These clinical workstations are networked to our front desk to assure you fast, accurate appointment, billing and insurance information. We are also able to expedite insurance claims with electronic processing.

Intraoral cameras allow for improved accuracy in diagnosis, improved visualization of problems, faster response from insurers due to their ability to see first-hand the patient’s needs, and more accurate documentation of existing patient conditions.

The intraoral camera headpiece is approximately the size and shape of a dental mirror. It has a built-in light source and serves as a tiny video camera that allows us to zoom in on one tooth with 25 times magnification, or give you a video tour of your entire mouth. The images are displayed on a television or computer monitor, so you’ll be able to see problems such as worn or broken fillings, cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings and excessive wear. We can also print an image for you to take home with you.

Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to diagnose cavities, especially in the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of your back teeth. The widespread use of fluoride has made finding and restoring cavities early in their development more difficult in recent years. Fluoride hardens the outer enamel layer of your teeth, which means decay has a difficult time gaining a foothold. As a result, cavities are typically smaller and can be much harder to diagnose. The traditional way to check for cavities was by looking for visual signs of decay on the tooth, checking X-rays, or feeling for a soft area with a dental explorer. However, we now have a diagnostic tool called the Diagnodent that helps us locate even the smallest amount of decay. Diagnodent is a laser technology that scans your teeth with harmless pulses of light. When a cavity is present, fluorescent light of a different wavelength bounces back to the sensor, which is translated to a digital read-out. In general, the higher the number correlates to a greater amount of decay in the tooth. When a cavity is present, the Diagnodent also produces an audible signal. The result is a smaller, more conservative restoration that will last longer and have fewer possible complications.

Digital radiography is the most exciting new technology introduced into dentistry in many years. Digital X-rays provide our patients with the following benefits:

• Reduced radiation up to 75 % from traditional X-rays
• More comfortable X-rays with rounded corners
• Instant images: no more waiting for developing
• Enhanced diagnosis: improved clarity and enhancements provide earlier diagnosis of potential problems.

Improved education: the ability for our patients to immediately see their own x-rays on a computer screen, instead of a small piece of film, allows us to better educate our patient on their particular situation.

Statistics show that more than 200,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrest every year. Up to 50,000 of these deaths could have been prevented if someone had initiated the Cardiac Chain of Survival, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available for immediate use at the time of the emergency. CPR training is not enough.

The cardiac chain of survival is a series of four critical steps. All four steps of the chain must be present to help ensure survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The four steps are:

1. Step one: Early access to care (calling 9-1-1 or another emergency number)
2. Step two: Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
3. Step three: Early defibrillation
4. Step four: Early advanced cardiac life support, as needed

The third step, delivering an electrical shock to the heart, which is known as defibrillation, is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of SCA.

You have the comfort to know that we have an AED device on site at the dental office and we have been extensively trained in CPR and the use of the AED.