HIGH-TECH DENTISTRY

Dental Implants

A dental implant consists of an artificial tooth root surgically anchored into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth in place.  Metal posts are placed on or into the bone to mimic the root structure of the tooth and form an artificial base.  Implants are often used when single teeth are replaced without a fixed bridge. They can also act as an anchoring tooth for a bridge, or to stabilize a partial or complete denture.  Implants are an excellent solution to missing teeth because they look and feel like natural teeth and are a permanent replacement. They are being used to successfully replace teeth in people of all ages, with beautiful results.  Contrary to popular belief, they are virtually painless and are a highly predictable alternative to replace one or more missing teeth. The complete procedure can be as short as 8 weeks. They are currently considered standard dentistry in the dental field.

Tooth whitening by Britesmile

The most popular cosmetic treatment now offered is tooth whitening.  Stained, dull teeth, or a single tooth can benefit from tooth whitening. The bleaching procedure being used at Smileshop is "bleaching by Britesmile".  By applying a thin layer of bleaching gel, you can receive results within 60-90 minutes.  Maximum results depend on the individual patient's tooth structure and that structure's ability to be bleached.  The bleaching gel contains oxygen-releasing chemicals that react with the discoloration found in the teeth, which oxidizes the stains.  If you would like to have brighter, whiter teeth and a dazzling smile, schedule a dental appointment. The dentist will evaluate your smile to determine if you are a candidate for tooth whitening, and explain all the options that are available to you.

The Benefits of Low-Dose computerized digital Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays are one of the most important tools we have to help people avoid serious dental problems because they let us detect problems while they are still small- before they are even visible to the naked eye.  X-rays are part of every dentist's comprehensive examination.  Without them, we miss valuable information about teeth and the surrounding jawbone.  Many patients are concerned about radiation.  

Low Dose Digital X-rays are the newest improvement in dental diagnostic imaging. Now you can have your dental x-rays done electronically, almost instantly appearing on our computer screen.  This technique uses a small device called a sensor that is placed in the mouth. The X-ray machine is turned down to a low dose so that the radiation is reduced by 90% compared to a conventional X-ray.  The image is converted digitally and is conducted through a wire directly into the computer and appears on the monitor within ten seconds.  If a re-take is necessary, it is no longer necessary to wait for the film to be developed: it can be taken right away.  These low dose digital x-rays are just one more example of Smileshop's commitment to bringing the best of dentistry to our patients.

In addition to the low dose digital x-rays for peri-apical and bite wing images, our diagnostic room has the capability of taking both panoramic and cephalometric radiographs (x-rays).  The panaromic x-ray is easy to pose for and it shows all the teeth, the jaws and a limited view of the jaw joint.  We often discover missing teeth, extra teeth, crooked tooth roots, impacted teeth and cysts on the panoramic x-ray. The cephalometric x-ray displays a view of head contents from the side revealing the skeletal component of some bad bites. We use the lead cape to limit radiation below the patient's neck for both machines for increased safety.