Explore Our Advanced Dental Technology
Technology is changing faster than ever, and it continues to improve the world we live in. Thankfully, that kind of progress has also touched the field of dentistry. With the help of the newest tools, Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew and our team are able to provide an even higher level of care in less time, all the while protecting our patients from discomfort. Sounds like a winning combination, right? Below, you can learn about some of the tools we use every day to help our patients glide through their appointments.
Intraoral Camera
With our Digital Doc HD intraoral camera, we can create high-resolution images of your teeth and gums and display them on a large chairside monitor in real time. This will not only make it much easier for our team to spot the subtlest signs of dental problems, but it will also give you a chance to see your mouth from your dentist’s perspective. This will help you have a better understanding of your oral health, which will help you make more informed treatment decisions.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays have been a part of dentistry for years because they allow dentists to catch problems that might be hidden below the surfaces of the teeth. Traditional film-based x-rays, however, have always had drawbacks. They take quite a bit of time to develop images, the process requires toxic chemicals, and they expose our patients to radiation.
Thankfully, our practice only uses digital x-rays. They can create images almost instantly, no chemicals are needed, and they even emit up to 90% less radiation!
Cavity Detection System
When tooth decay is caught early enough, we can often reverse it and prevent a tooth from developing into a cavity. With our DEXIS CariVU cavity detection system, this is now easier than ever.
This device uses a beam of light to scan the thickness of a person’s enamel. With it, we can detect even the slightest bit of thinning, which will allow us to employ conservative treatments that will help preserve the tooth and save a patient from having to get more involved restorative care.
Diagnostic Wax-Up
In order to make sure that your crowns or porcelain veneers fit perfectly, Dr. Pettigrew may choose to create a wax model of your teeth using a dental impression. This will allow him to precisely form the restoration to your exact dentition so that it gives you the best results when it comes to aesthetics and function. He can then send this model to a dental lab so that your final treatment will look fantastic and fit comfortably as well.