As a result, one piece of equipment that has begun to show up in dental practices is the cone beam computed tomography (CT) scanner. 

Although cone beam CT scanners were originally introduced in medical settings, the device is useful for your dentist, too. In fact, dentists rely on information contained in these scans to prepare for a variety of procedures, ranging from dental implant placement to wisdom teeth extraction and cancer screening.

The images produced by a CT scanner are far more graphic, lifelike and informative than those from a standard radiograph.

An improvement upon the conventional CT scanner, which builds a three-dimensional image through a series of scans that are compiled into one picture, a cone beam CT scanner has a different mechanism. It uses a single targeted cone-shaped beam of radiation to capture a volume of data on which such images are based.

A conventional CT scanner requires separate scans for the upper and lower jaws, but a cone beam CT scanner can capture images of both simultaneously. Cone beam scans take less time, and when a CT image is needed, cone beams limit the patient’s exposure to radiation in comparison to the traditional CT approach.

Cone beam CT scans also have a lower margin of error than their conventional CT counterparts. This feature makes the cone beam scanner particularly helpful in planning the placement of dental implants, in which the implant site must be precise.

When patients have a cone beam scan, the images are thoroughly reviewed, with dentists evaluating all aspects, even ones that are unrelated to the particular treatment that originally prompted the scan. As such, a cone beam scan may also identify other problems that the patient had been previously unaware of.

To learn more and to schedule your consultation, contact our Uptown Dallas office at 214-521-5900 today!

Regardless of their aesthetic concerns, patients can work with a cosmetic dentist to have a complete smile makeover, often with dramatic results.

A smile makeover will mean different things for different patients. Some patients will only need minor enhancements, while others will need major overhauls. If you are considering a smile makeover, it’s important to work with a cosmetic dentist to develop a plan that’s appropriate in your case.

Cosmetic dentists have a number of tools at their disposal to help achieve the patient’s aesthetic goals. Potential treatments include veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening and restorations, among others.

Veneers, in particular, are quite versatile. These devices are thin layers of porcelain that are bonded on top of the natural tooth. Veneers can conceal unsightly flaws like chips or cracks in a tooth. Veneers may also be incorporated to fill in a diastema, or gap between the teeth, or to realign crooked teeth.

If veneers are used as part of a smile makeover, the patient will see results in just a few appointments. For this reason, veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.”

If a patient needs to fill in a space (or spaces) left behind by a missing tooth, dental implants may also play a role in a smile makeover. Dental implants offer the greatest amount of stability and durability available among tooth replacement methods, and dental implants are also the most lifelike in terms of appearance.

Teeth whitening is a useful cosmetic dentistry treatment as well. Dinginess can detract from a smile, so after making the commitment to a smile makeover, patients often want to whiten their teeth for an even greater effect.

Teeth can become several shades whiter in as little as 90 minutes, courtesy of the LUMIBRITE system, which is also the only such treatment to protect patients against tooth sensitivity while whitening the teeth.

A cosmetic dentist may use other techniques, such as restorations or cosmetic gum grafting, as part of the smile makeover, too.

If you want to upgrade your smile in the Dallas area, call the office of Dr. Riad Almasri at 214-521-5900 to learn more about your available options.

Fortunately, technology has led to vast improvements in the delivery of modern dentistry, and manual instruments are no longer required for many treatments. Lasers can do the job effectively and increase the patient’s comfort levels. 

Lasers harness the energy contained in light and use that energy to cut into tissue with minimal discomfort for the patient. In dentistry, lasers may also be used to speed up the hardening of a filling or to give a boost to teeth whitening treatments.

The dentist may use a laser for routine care, such as removing decay from a tooth. The prospect of a filling is much less daunting for many patients when they know they won’t have to endure a drill (or even its sound).

Gum disease can also be treated using lasers, for interventions that require an incision into the gum tissue. Similarly, removal of gum tissue for health or cosmetic reasons can also be accomplished via lasers.

Lasers can serve as substitutes for scalpels in many oral surgery procedures, too. They are appropriate for procedures involving either the soft or hard (bony) tissues found in the mouth.

Even patients facing endodontic therapy (root canals) can take advantage of laser dentistry.

Patients gain a number of benefits from laser dentistry. This technique can reduce dental fears and anxiety.

Because lasers are minimally invasive, patients have less bleeding and swelling and they heal more quickly following extensive dental work. Additionally, the procedures can be completed in a shorter time frame, reducing the time spent in the dentist’s office.

With lasers, patients typically only need a local anesthetic, which appeals to those who prefer to avoid the drugs involved with sedation or general anesthesia. Laser dentistry also comes with a lower risk of infection.

If you are leery of dental procedures due to concerns over pain and discomfort, contact Dental Solutions, serving the Dallas TX 75219 area, to see if the use of a laser would be appropriate in your case.

Getting semiannual checkups with a dentist can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. At the same time, these routine visits also help patients to make sure their smiles are looking their best.

Dental exams and cleanings are the keystones of preventive dentistry. Cleanings, also known as prophylaxis, help to reduce the presence of harmful oral bacteria, which can wreak havoc on oral tissues, causing decay and periodontal disease, among other concerns.

The tartar that forms along the gumline is also unsightly, so these cleanings have aesthetic benefits, too.

Regular exams give your dentist the opportunity to look for signs of those conditions mentioned above. If the dentist spots a small sign of trouble before it has time to progress further, the dentist may be able to use a conservative intervention to treat it.

In some cases, a dental exam can be life-saving. During the visit, your dentist will also look for potential cancerous tumors or lumps in the oral tissues. Needless to say, early detection of cancer increases the patient’s odds of survival.

In maintaining optimal oral health, you are also safeguarding your overall well-being. Scientific research has identified a number of connections between oral diseases and other systemic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.

Your general dentist can collaborate with a team of specialists, such as periodontists and oral surgeons, on your preventive care. For example, if you have advanced gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for targeted treatment.

Patients play an important role in preventive dentistry efforts, as well. Self-care, such as twice daily brushing and daily flossing, is essential in ensuring that your teeth and mouth stay healthy. A good oral hygiene routine helps to keep your teeth clean during those six-month intervals between dental visits.

Are you taking care to ward off future dental problems? If not, contact Dental Solutions in Dallas TX at 214-521-5900 and schedule a visit to learn more about the benefits of preventive dentistry.