Up to Date with Dental Technologies
Dr. Bates and his staff make it their priority to stay up to date with new dental techniques. Some devices Dr. Bates uses in his office include Cone Beam, a painless injection device called a Dental Vibe, and a Digital Medit i700 Scanner.
Technology plays an important role in dentistry because it allows us to improve the comfort, efficiency, and outcomes of many dental procedures. Some, like digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, assist our dentist in providing more precise and accurate diagnoses while also acting as an invaluable educational tool.
Dr. Will Bates is always looking for technology that he knows will enhance the quality of the patient experience. You can be confident that at Serene Dentistry of North Salt Lake, you’ll always receive the latest and best that dentistry currently offers.
Digital X-Rays & Digital Sensors
Digital x-rays give our dentist a close-up picture of your oral health with details he can’t see during a visual examination. Low-dose digital x-rays emit about 80 percent less radiation than film x-rays and give us a highly detailed image of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Since we use flat digital sensors to capture the image, the process of taking x-rays is also more comfortable.
The level of detail with the digital images allows Dr. Bates to diagnose problems like cavities and gum disease when they are still small and easy to treat. Digital x-rays are also great for keeping you informed by letting you see for yourself what the problem is and understand the benefit of treating it.
High-Speed Curing Lights
Have you ever wondered what that blue light that dentists use is all about? It’s called a dental curing light, and we use it to harden or “cure” the resin-based composite material we use for tooth fillings, bonding, and dental sealants.
Composite resin starts as a soft, moldable material that we can mold to the unique shape of your tooth and perfect the contours. Then in the final step, our dentist uses the high-speed curing light to set or harden the material in a matter of seconds.
Learn more about where we use this technology by clicking the button on the right:
Intraoral Camera
Patient education is an integral part of what we do at Serene Dentistry of North Salt Lake. However, it can be difficult to understand what you can’t see, which is why we have invested in intraoral cameras.
With this technology, you can follow along on your chair-side monitor as Dr. Bates conducts his examination. You’ll see everything he sees in real-time, so when he notes a problem area, he can point it out to you on the screen. When you see the cavity, broken tooth, or other condition yourself, you have the complete picture and can make more informed treatment decisions.
Learn more about where we use this technology by clicking the button on the right:
DentalVibe Injection Comfort System
Many people avoid needed dental treatment because of anxiety, and one of the most common fears is that of injections. We understand, and so we have invested in technology called DentalVibe that eliminates the anxiety and unpleasant sensations of numbing your mouth.
The DentalVibe Injection System emits slight vibrations, blocking pain sensations and making the process so comfortable that you may not even realize you’ve had the injection! Ensuring your comfort during injections should significantly reduce your anxiety and make it easier to follow through with dental treatment. DentalVibe works for anyone who wants a more comfortable experience, including children.
Learn more about where we use this technology by clicking the button on the right:
Nitrous Oxide
We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation for patients with anxiety or those who want a more relaxed experience at the dental office. Also called inhalation sedation, nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in through a small facial mask. Within moments, you’ll start to feel a pleasant, drowsy sensation that gives you a sensation of extreme well-being.
These feelings last only as long as we administer the gas; when we switch from nitrous to pure oxygen, your head will clear, and you will feel alert and refreshed. Because there are no lingering side effects with nitrous, you will be safe to drive yourself home from your dental appointment.
Learn more about where we use this technology by clicking the button on the right:
Electric Handpieces
One reason many patients experience dental anxiety is the sound and sensation of an air-driven dental drill. To ensure that you have the most pleasant, comfortable experience possible, we have switched to electric hand-pieces. Using this technology eliminates the annoying high-pitched whining sound of the drill that patients dislike and also minimizes unpleasant vibrations.
Learn more about where we use this technology by clicking the button on the right: