Dentists in Williams Lake Harness Technology to Improve Oral Health

Using the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced technology in our office.

Digital Imaging

One of the most commonly used technologies in dental offices is the X-ray. At Cariboo Dental Clinic in Williams Lake, we use digital imaging technology to produce picture-perfect, clear radiographs of your teeth and surrounding tissue. All the dentists at our clinic follow strict radiography guidelines and only take digital radiographs when absolutely necessary. We ensure that your exposure time for dental radiographs is minimal. Exposure time for digital radiographs is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs.

Clearer pictures mean early detection!

Radiographs allow us to detect dental caries or cavities between teeth which are not visible during a dental examination. Digital X-rays also help us to determine bone level, analyze bone health, examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage resulting from trauma. With digital X-rays, we get a better view of your teeth and surrounding structures as we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding up a 35mm film up to the light. Digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is ideal for patients who experience some anxiety when it comes to needles, drilling, or numbness. The laser delivers 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 structure absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Laser dentistry can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures, and in most cases no local anesthesia is required. Unlike with the dental drill, laser dentistry does not produce heat or vibration, making the procedure quite comfortable for most patients. For soft tissue (surgical) procedures it eliminates the need for suturing, therefore the healing process is much faster.

Lasers can be used to diagnose cavities as they can find hidden decay in teeth in early stages. When detected early there is a possibility that the decay can be reversed through hygiene and fluoride treatment and may never need filling.

Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:

• Cavity diagnosis and removal
  
• Curing, or hardening of bonding materials
  
• Teeth whitening
  
• Periodontal, or gum related, care
  
• Pediatric procedures
  
• Canker sore (Apthous Ulcer) treatment
  
• Tongue-tie release (Frenectomy) without anesthesia or sutures
  
• Root canals and apicoectomies
  
• Crown lengthening, gingivectomy and other gum corrections

Dental lasers have been proven to be safe and effective for treating both adults and children.

Intraoral Camera

An intraoral camera is a microscopic camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. They allow us to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details which may be overlooked during standard mirror examinations. Our dentists use intraoral camera technology to help our patients to better understand their diagnosis, allowing them to see exactly what we are looking at during the oral exam.

Intra oral cameras also enable us 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.

Call us today to book your dental appointment.

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