Modern Dentistry in Los Angeles, CA

State of the Art Dentistry

One of the most important things we do for our patients is to identify and fill cavities. Since even the smallest spot of decay can threaten the integrity of the entire tooth, finding and filling cavities is the key to preventing further problems of all kinds. Historically, that’s why lengthy poking and prodding sessions have been an acceptable, if not very comfortable, part of typical dental exams. However, many people don’t realize that these methods of decay detection are only 50% to 75% successful. Cavities often hide along fissure lines, or inside biting or occlusal surfaces. Further, these mechanical exploratory methods are limited to finding only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the probe head. For all these reasons, we’ve invested in DIAGNOdent: a revolutionary new, thorough means of detecting cavities, so your exam can be fast, easy, and nearly imperceptible.

No obligation initial dental implants consultation (310) 201-9001

The Epic 10 Diode Laser is a multifunctional dental tool employing state-of-the-art technology. As one of the most widely used diode lasers on the market, the Epic 10 dramatically enhances the hygienist’s ability to deeply clean gums by targeting bacterial buildup and biofilm that sits below the gum line. This is made possible by tuning the laser to a specific wavelength that destroys bacteria but not healthy gum tissue. In addition to eliminating harmful bacteria, the Epic 10 can provide significant, lasting relief from oro-facial pain. The efficacy of lasers for pain management and healing optimization throughout the body has been well documented in hundreds of studies published in medical journals for many years. The Epic’s laser can reduce the pain associated with TMJ, gum injury, mouth sores, and even that associated with dental surgery. Moreover, the Epic 10 is capable of delivering a more rapid, efficient and effective tooth-whitening process than are traditional methods.

The Smart Dentin Grinder has played a critical role in the advancement of the dental bone graft process. Human dentin is considered the gold standard for grafting because it contains the same properties as bone and naturally possesses components that promote assimilation with the body, including growth factors and stem cells. Additionally, because the dentin used for the graft is extracted from the patient’s own teeth, there is no risk of disease transmission. The Smart Dentin Grinder enables grafts to be conducted in less time and with fewer office visits that the traditional process permits. Further, it allows the sockets to be preserved and bone regeneration to take place in six versus the standard 12 weeks, and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional graft procedure. The grafting process using the Smart Dentin Grinder entails extracting and cleaning the tooth, grinding it, cleansing the graft material, then placing and suturing the graft.

The Medit i500 Intraoral Scanner allows the rapid imaging of the interior of the mouth to create a direct optical impression. The device uses two high-speed cameras, a powerful light, and specialized software to map the interior surfaces of the mouth. The resulting high-density, finely-detailed image provides a three-dimensional, comprehensive view of the gums and teeth that can be enlarged and rotated in three planes by the dentist. This feature provides valuable, rapid diagnostic insight, especially when coupled with software tools that can derive additional information about the teeth, including areas that are subjected to greater bite force or grinding pressure. The scanning process is fast, normally requiring less than two minutes. Thanks to the slim profile of its scanning tip, the Medit i500 is also comfortable for most patients, and certainly much more comfortable than the conventional method of creating impressions that requires many materials to be held in the mouth. This advanced digital impression method also eliminates the potential for technician error associated with the conventional method and the extra time it might take to correct them.

DIAGNOdent technology uses a simple laser diode to inspect your teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a known healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. How? First, we aim the laser onto one of your healthy enamel tooth surfaces to give us a benchmark reading. Then, we continue on around your mouth, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As the laser pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, it reflects fluorescent light of a specific wavelength. This light is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between one and 100, then displayed on a screen. Anytime the laser encounters a surface that reads differently than the healthy baseline value, it stimulates emission of fluorescent light of a different wavelength. A reading of 10-20 indicates some enamel softening, pointing to a potential problem area that merits close monitoring. A reading of 21-100 indicates a definite area of decay requiring a filling.

Early Detection, Precise Correction

Using DIAGNOdent technology allows us to catch more areas of decay sooner and with more precision. Further, it requires no x-rays, and is a relatively comfortable procedure. Not only can it help prevent the spread of decay, but catching decay early means fillings required are simpler and shallower, preserving more of the tooth. This allows us to use minimally invasive filling procedures, such as drill-free air abrasion. Finally, we’re able to objectively monitor any suspicious areas without repeated x-rays, harm to tissues, or need for protective measures.

The Diagnodent device measures laser fluorescence within tooth structure. As the incident laser light is propagated into the site, two-way handpiece optics allows the unit to simultaneously quantify the reflected laser light energy. At the specific wavelength that the device operates, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display.
The device is designed as an adjunct to a traditional oral examination in the detection of occlusal decay. Teeth that are suspicious for caries are ideal candidates for survey with the device. The above picture shows how the Diagnodent can find cavities that other dental instruments can miss. Altered tooth substances and bacteria fluoresce when they are exposed to a specific wavelength of light.

The DIAGNOdent operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this specific wavelength, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display of the DIAGNOdent.
An audio signal allows the operator to hear changes in the scale values. This enables the focus to be on our patient, not solely on the device.
Over 90% accurate. Proportion of “correct diagnoses” using various diagnostic methods (in the case of seemingly intact occlusal – biting surfaces).

Scan x Duo

Digital xray haas 90% less radiation than traditional dental xray. We use Scan x DUO at Smile Angels Of Beverly Hills. ScanX Duo uses Phosphor Storage Plates that are ultra-thin, wireless and flexible allowing for accurate positioning within the oral cavity. Using PSPs minimizes image elongation, foreshortening and retakes. The plates are very inexpensive and can be used thousands of times.

Bring the Power of Vision to your dental practice with the Acclaim Intraoral Camera. Superior clarity, sharpness and true-to-life soft-tissue color will make Acclaim a truly indispensable instrument in your dental practice. The portable Acclaim intraoral camera is extremely easy to handle and can be pocketed from room to room using the quick-connect feature. Single-hand operation eliminates fumbling and manual focusing. All objects – from 6mm to 50mm – snap automatically into sharp focus. Capture and save images with the touch of a button. The Acclaim intraoral camera can be connected via USB 2.0, S-Video or Composite Video and integrates into any practice with or without a computer.

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