Digital X-Ray
Digital X-rays are just one more advantage you will have at your disposal when you visit our office. Digital X-rays provide improved comfort of mouth and patients can have around 70% less exposure to radiation than conventional X-rays. With digital X-rays, AI is used to help read them for an objective, comprehensive diagnosis. The new dental technology also allows for clearer photos so it is easier to source hard-to-see cavities. The images can easily be stored on a computer and transferred to different dentists or orthodontists for referrals. Digital X-rays are also more environmentally friendly in the long run.
Benefits of Digital X-rays include:
- Less exposure to radiation
- Faster turnaround time
- Shorter appointments
- Involvement in co-diagnosis
- Improved understanding of the treatment options
Panoramic X-Ray
With panoramic X-rays, your dentist can easily look for problems such as bone abnormalities and fractures, cysts, impacted teeth, infections, and tumors. This dental technology is a much faster and simpler process than traditional X-rays. Also, the panoramic technique requires fewer steps compared to traditional dental X-rays, and hence makes patients feel more comfortable during the procedure and provides improved patient care.
Digital Impressions
Digital impressions, also known as 3D intraoral scans, are used to capture a replica of the mouth creating a digital image of a patient’s hard and soft tissue in their mouth. Digital impressions are more accurate than taking molds of the mouth and much more comfortable for the patient as well. With traditional molds, patients have to hold down on goopy mold for several minutes which can be difficult for patients with severe gag reflexes or difficulty breathing through their nose. Thankfully, the new dental technology of digital impressions is making traditional molds a thing of the past and patients can easily receive the high-quality care they need.
CBCT Scanners 3D Imaging
Today, three-dimensional imaging is offering the field of dentistry previously undreamed-of diagnostic and therapeutic options in the fields of surgery, prosthetics, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry. This new, advanced dental technology has revolutionized dental care. Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not enough for the doctor to see what they need to know. It is a special type of x-ray that produces 3D images of a patients teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways, and bone in a single scan. Using the CBCT on patients is very safe, but if you have concerns or questions, speak with one of our team members and they would be happy to provide more information.
Dental Lasers
Millennium Laser LANAP:
An FDA-cleared laser treatment called the LANAP protocol offers a less painful, more successful treatment alternative to conventional surgery. LANAP=LAR is the only scientifically, research-proven methodology that results in true periodontal regeneration, new bone growth, and gum tissue reattachment. The LANAP=LAR treatment is one of the most successful protocols in treating gum disease because it can target the source of the inflammation without hurting or removing any healthy gum tissue, slow or stop attachment loss and decrease pocket depth, and allow the body to recover from the chronic infection without the need for scalpel or sutures.
Fotona Lightwalker Laser:
Dental implant-supported teeth and dentures are often a good way to help replace your teeth, but since they are simultaneously in the jaw bone and pass through the gum line into the mouth, they are susceptible to bacterial infections just like your teeth were.
Our lasers can improve the treatment of bacterial infections around teeth and implants. The latest and best strategy is using the Erbium laser to clean and disinfect the surfaces of the implants without damaging the surface of the implant as other mechanical treatments do. The doctors chose the “LightWalker” laser by Fotona because it combines the Erbium laser with the Nd/Yag properties to treat hard and soft tissues.
Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera allows us to view clear, precise images of your teeth and gums. The images from the intraoral camera allow us to make a more accurate diagnosis and develop a better treatment plan for each patient. A faster, more accurate diagnosis means less chair time for you! The intraoral camera also allows you to see everything we see!
Dentalvibe Assisted Injections
If you are fearful of injections you will be happy to hear that we use the DentalVibe® Injection Comfort System which dramatically reduces the pain of injections. DentalVibe® is a cordless, hand-held device that delivers soothing, pulsed percussive micro-oscillations to the injection site. VibraPulse® technology gently stimulates the sensory receptors where the injection is being administered.
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)
One of the most important tools we have is platelet-rich fibrin or PRF.
PRF is made from a small sample of your own blood, assuring that it’s both biocompatible and free of synthetics. The sample is spun in our centrifuge and creates a membrane that’s placed on your surgical site where it stimulates bone and soft tissue growth.
PRF encourages the formation of new capillaries, ensuring good blood flow to the site. Increased blood flow helps clear any lingering pathogens and other toxins so healthy new tissues can regenerate.
What this means for you is better, quicker healing, and less post-op discomfort.
Exparel
We are pleased that we can offer a solution to reduce surgical pain relief for up to three to four days after surgery without narcotics! EXPAREL is a time-released local anesthetic to aid in post-surgical pain control that is ushering in a new era of surgical recovery! Our team was the first periodontal team in North Carolina to offer EXPAREL® starting in 2017.
Over-the-counter pain relievers may be all that is needed after surgery. Reducing narcotic use is an important benefit because while narcotics can be helpful, they can cause some unpleasant side effects as well. These may include nausea/vomiting, constipation, dizziness, limitation of decision-making abilities, and worst of all, can lead to dependence or addiction. There is an epidemic of narcotic addiction in our country and we should do what we can to reduce the use of narcotics and the suffering that addiction leads to.
We use sedation techniques and local anesthesia to provide a relaxed and virtually pain-free surgical experience at our practice. With the addition of EXPAREL, we can help ensure an easier recovery than ever before!
Got a question?
No problem.
We will schedule your appointment with Winston-Salem Dental Specialists as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
We value your time and do everything we can to stay on schedule and minimize your wait. While in our office, please enjoy your stay and have a nice beverage and relax in our serenity room; we also offer free WIFI to take care of some business during your visit. We appreciate your understanding and patience when unpredictable appointment delays occur.
Contact us.
Winston-Salem Dental Specialists is a member of the following professional organizations (not all doctors belong to all these organizations):
