Advanced Dentistry of Clifton Park

A new dental health experience in New York's Capital District

Advanced Technology

Advanced Dentistry of Clifton Park is 100% digital.

The advanced electronic dental record allows Advanced Dentistry of Clifton Park to operate as a paper- free office. We offer electronic forms and a digital check in system to help keep your wait times down. Our patient communication software allows two-way texting and payments over your mobile phone. The presence of technology in the office is growing every day. Below you will find additional information on some of our advanced tools:

Imaging

Our digital x-ray sensors both for intraoral and panoramic radiographs replace the traditional photographic film. There are multiple advantages of this modern technique:

Lower x-ray exposure
Digital radiography typically reduces exposure to x-rays by 75% or more. Although the amount of radiation used by dentists even with classic dental films is low compared to other sources of radiation, we still believe that we should use the smallest amount possible!

X-ray image enhancement
Digital X-ray systems allow us to control the exposure of each image in real time. We can make images darker or lighter on demand. We can also enlarge images, make enhancements to color and superimpose textures. These features improve our ability to detect disease and its current state, and it allows us to show it to you easily on a computer screen, as a large, clear picture.

Enhanced x-ray image quality
Clarity and detail are crucial in dental imaging. Digital X-ray equipment provides image quality that can surpass traditional film, bringing out tiny fractures and imperfections that might have been missed on film.

Your pictures are a part of your digital file
Your images are integrated to your chart in our paperless office. This avoids the possible loss of films, eliminates film degradation over time, and the picture can be reproduced perfectly as often as desired. It can be transferred easily to another office, such as a specialist, as needed.

With all these advantages, Dr. Tonkin will certainly use only the most modern technique to perform your radiographic dental examination!​

Intraoral Camera

The Intraoral Camera is a supplemental tool we use to perform an even more thorough assessment of your dental condition and to provide you with the highest standard of care. The magnification of the picture on the computer screen has been shown to improve the diagnostic precision of the dental professionals as well as being an invaluable teaching tool for their patients. 

The camera allows us to take pictures of your teeth or any other element of the oral cavity. Just like in the case of our digital radiographs, those pictures can be saved and become a part of your chart. They can then be used to follow the evolution of an issue over time, and to monitor its improvement, stabilization or worsening.

Intraoral photos make it easier for Dr. Tonkin to show you multiple actual or potential oral problems: Dental damage such as caries or fractures or deficient restorations, the sequelae of oral habits such as clenching or bruxism (grinding), inflammation or recession of gingiva, hygiene deficits and even areas of tissues that may need to be evaluated or biopsied for possible pathologies. “Before and after” pictures can be used to monitor progress while we work together to achieve optimal oral health.

The intraoral images can be useful for insurance claims, they can be shared with dental specialists if needed, and can be printed for you to take home. The pictures from the intraoral camera will certainly help you visualize the findings of Dr. Tonkin and allow you to better participate in the decision-making about your dental treatments.

SiroLASER Blue Diode Laser

Dr. Tonkin and our dental hygienists utilize LASER therapy – one of the latest developments in the dental field. This laser can be used for a multitude of reasons. 

Healing cold sores
This procedure is done by aiming the laser energy at an existing cold sore. The laser energy disrupts the virus within the lesion, effectively killing it and allowing the body to heal faster. Treating an active infection can shorten the duration of a cold sore outbreak and decrease recovery time. This can reduce the severity of symptoms like pain and swelling. It has been shown to decrease the frequency of future outbreaks at the same location, and can eliminate them entirely. Treatment is usually quick and minimally invasive, typically requiring no anesthetic. Early intervention is key for optimal results. It is best to call our office for an appointment when you first feel tingling or notice a small bump.

This same method can be used to treat bites, cuts, burns, ulcers, or other traumatic lesions in the oral cavity.

Treating dentinal hypersensitivity
Treating a sensitive tooth with the diode laser can provide immediate relief with no anesthesia. While everyone is different, this quick and easy procedure can diminish discomfort for extended periods of time, in some cases for multiple years. This works by sealing microscopic pores in the teeth and blocking pathways to the nerve. This prevents pain from external stimuli.

Treatment of pain associated with the jaw joint
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive dental treatment that uses light to promote healing and reduce pain. PBM reduces inflammation and pain in the jaw joint and muscles, which improves joint mobility. We offer this treatment to our patients with bruxism habits that may experience jaw fatigue or limited opening for dental procedures. The laser promotes cell repair and regeneration by penetrating the tissues and stimulating cellular activity. The blood flow to the joint is increased which provides energy to the muscles so they can heal faster. The number of sessions is determined case by case. It all depends on the severity of the TMJ disorder and the patient’s response to the treatment. Your progress will be monitored during follow-up appointments.

Recontour the gingiva or “gum line” for smile design, or aesthetic cases
Lasers are known to decrease bleeding and the risks of infection and even to accelerate healing times. They are very precise and allow for a very focused treatment, which means there is minimal or no use of local anesthetics, and often the avoidance of sutures (“stitches”).​

Remove minor benign small tissue lesions
Dr. Tonkin can use the diode laser to remove fibrotic bumps on the bite line or labial varicosities that can cause insecurities.  

Remove “frenums” or tissue attachments creating dental or gingival issues
We often refer to this as a “lip tie.” Frenums can pull on the gum tissue and lead to preventable recession. Removal of the frenum will reduce tension on the gums and keep them from pulling down the tooth. This condition can also cause spacing between teeth that is difficult to close with orthodontics and maintain with a retainer. Trimming the attachment back can allow the teeth to move with ease and keep the contact closed after the movement is done. This same procedure can be done to the frenal attachment found under the tongue. While most people do not need their tongue tie trimmed, it can affect speech and eating habits in young children.

Non-surgical gum or “periodontal” therapies
There are 2 common gum treatments our hygienists can provide with the SiroLaser. Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) and Laser Decontamination (LD) destroy the bacteria in gum pockets. This effectively reduces inflammation, improves gum health and helps to prevent and treat gum disease. LBR is done prior to any gum manipulation for best results. This is recommended for every stage of periodontal disease, patients with heart problems, or patients with  artificial joints. While anyone could benefit from LBR, we encourage patients of these demographics to explore this treatment option. The procedure is typically quick and painless, and is used as an adjunct to preventive cleanings. Laser Decontamination is a slightly more invasive procedure that can debride diseased gum tissue from inside the periodontal pocket. This procedure is often used in conjunction with other periodontal treatments.

Diminish a strong gag reflex
Low level laser therapy can be used on a pressure point on your dominant wrist to temporarily subdue a gag reflex. This can make taking radiographs and getting a teeth cleaning a more comfortable and pleasant experience.   

Prime Scan Digital Impression

Comfortable experience
Primescan is a digital scanner that Dr. Tonkin uses to take 3D images of your teeth. It is used to make multiple different types of restorations and oral appliances. Compared to traditional alginate impressions, an intraoral scan with Primescan is easier and more comfortable. Primescan compiles the images and generates your model as the scan is being done, so you get to see your digital model completed in real time.  It is fascinating to see your mouth on a large touch screen, but it is also very useful for Dr. Tonkin to show you and discuss any possible concerns in your mouth, both on your soft tissue and on your teeth.

Highly accurate scans
Digital impressions are very precise. This advanced technology will improve your overall dental experience.  Primescan has outstanding accuracy and has reliable quality, regardless of indication for use or materials used. With Primescan we can create a perfect fit for any restoration or appliance.  It is proven that digital models are less prone to error in the final restoration. Primescan is known for easy capturing and quick processing of high amounts of data in high resolution. This intelligent processing is a crucial part of the process that our patients have come to know and love. 

CEREC

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system used in dentistry to create dental restorations in a single visit. This is an advanced dental restorative method used for veneers, crown placement, treating tooth decay, and replacing missing teeth with bridges. 

The ease of digital dentistry has made it possible for our office to accelerate your treatment time from weeks to just hours. Our advanced technology has eliminated many time-consuming steps, including using an outside lab altogether. There is no need for a second appointment because the majority of our restorations are made in-house by our clinical team. Dr. Tonkin has complete control of the design process. We can adjust the shape, shade, and fit of your crowns to your satisfaction.

After the initial digital scan is done, Dr. Tonkin and her team use CAD software to design your tooth. The information is sent from our Primescan digital scanners to the CEREC milling machines. Crowns and bridges are milled out of a porcelain or ceramic block. Each material comes in a variety of shades and hues to match the surrounding teeth. The milling process is typically under 10 minutes! Once the tooth is done being shaped, the final step is to fire it in the SpeedFire. The restorations bake at 2000 degrees under high pressure in a ceramic oven. Once your restoration has cooled, it is ready to be tried in!

Primeprint 3D Printer

Primeprint Solution is a highly automated, end-to-end, medical grade 3D printing system. This advanced technology brings our dental lab to another level! The 3D printers use the digital scans we acquire with the Primescan. Dr. Tonkin can design and manufacture models and an array of oral appliances right in our office! Digital dentistry allows us to fabricate a new appliance within days. With a digital record we can replace a lost or broken appliance without needing any additional scans.