Advanced Technology

Intraoral Camera

Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing.

Drs. Rossowski and Cerami utilizes Intraoral Camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An Intraoral Camera is a very small camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. An Intraoral Camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you!

Intra oral cameras also allow us to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments.  These images can be printed for you, specialists who you may be referred to, and the dental lab or insurance companies.

Computerized Anesthesia (The Wand)

What is it?

The Wand (also known as Compudent) is essentially a computer-controlled dental injection. The flow rate of the local anaesthetic is controlled by a computer. This means that the injection is guaranteed to be slow and steady and therefore comfortable.

Most people who have had a bad experience with injections thinks that needle sting because the skin is pierced, but this is usually not so! Most often, the sting was caused because the anesthetic was fired in too quickly. Obviously, it is possible for the dentist to control the speed with a standard syringe, but the idea of the Wand is to take out the “human error”. This can be very reassuring for people with previous bad experiences.

What are the advantages?

  • Looks non-threatening and almost cute. Researchers have found that the Wand induces    less anxiety than any other injection method.
  • The precise control of the flow rate and pressure reliably produces a comfortable injection even in potentially more “difficult” areas like the palate, where the tissue is less elastic.
  • Many dentists enjoy the light weight and easy handling. The penlike grasp allows the operator to rotate the handpiece, which can make it easier to glide the needle into tissue.

What have people on Dental Fear Central’s forum said about the Wand?

  • “…a little spray to numb the gums then a few minutes slowly injecting small doses of anaesthetic through the compterised outlet system and I didn’t feel a thing!…My fear of needles is now a thing of the past.”
  • “When it comes to actual fear of needles…well one thing I have found that helps the most with that is a numbing machine called ‘The Wand’.”
  • “The Wand is a gift from god.”

Piezo Electric Scaler

Piezoelectric technology is the first choice in Europe and gaining popularity in the United States. Piezo works by using a high voltage electrical signal which activates the crystals, resulting in tip movement. This technology is quieter and requires less water than the conventional cavitron technology.

Thin, probelike tips move in a linear pattern that enhances tactile sensitivity and is conductive to patient comfort—greatly reducing (if not eliminating) the need for anesthesia in early-to-moderate periodontal therapy cases. Microultrasonic inserts with blades may replace hand curettes for clinicians implementing accelerated instrumentation protocols.

A piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler is ok to use on most cardiac pacemakers. If it is a magnetostrictive unit, you can only use it on pacemakers that are “shielded”. Most pacemakers inserted from the mid-1980s on are shielded. It is best to check with the cardiologist to see if the pacemaker is shielded or not.

Prophy-Jet

Prophy-jet is an air polishing prophylaxis system which uses air, water, and either sodium bicarbonate (ProphyJet®) or non-sodium (Jet Fresh®) powder as a slurry to remove extrinsic stain, dental plaque and soft debris while simultaneously polishing tooth surfaces.

Recommended to clean tooth surfaces prior to bonding procedures and placement of dental sealants. Highly effective in use on patient’s wearing orthodontic appliances.

Invisalign

Please visit our Cosmetic Services section for more information on Invisalign.