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:
- Digital imaging (using digital power for your radiographic examination)
- Diagnodent, or “laser decay detection”
- Intraoral Camera
- Dental soft-tissue laser
Imaging
Advanced Dentistry of Clifton Park is 100% digital. 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 plain 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!
Diagnodent Decay Detector
With Diagnodent laser cavity detection, Dr. Tonkin can detect and treat cavities at their earliest possible stage; this allows her to perform a smaller, more conservative restoration, and there is overall less damage to your tooth from the cavity.
Diagnodent is a fluorescent laser that scans the tooth and can detect cavities, even when they are hidden below the surface and could escape the regular dental clinical examination or radiographs. By properly interpreting the degrees of fluorescence, Dr. Tonkin can differentiate between dental surfaces that contain no cavity, a superficial or deep carious involvement of the enamel, and deeper cavities that have reached the dentin. She can then determine if observation or intervention is appropriate.
Your entire mouth can be scanned for decay in a few minutes and in a completely comfortable fashion.
Intraoral Camera
The Intraoral Camera is a supplemental tool we use in addition to our clinical and radiographic examinations 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.
The intraoral camera makes 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. They can be useful when we try to help a dental laboratory determine the best color, shape or “personalization” of your crown or bridge.
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.
Soft Tissue Laser
Dr. Tonkin uses the soft-tissue dental type of laser – one of the latest developments in the dental field – in her office. This laser can be used for:
- Treatment of cold sores and canker sores.
- Recontour the gingiva or “gum line”
- Remove excess tissue to better adjust a crown or bridge.
- Remove minor benign small tissue lesions.
- Remove “frenums” or tissue attachments creating dental or gingival issues.
- Treat some periodontal issues.
- Remove some types of caries.
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”).