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Dr. Foley's office provides patients with state of the art equipment, including the Diagnodent, intraoral cameras, digital x-rays, "The Wand," and Zoom! whitening.
The Diagnodent
The Diagnodent is a laser-enabled detection aid that allows Dr. Foley to use minimally invasive treatments to diagnose cavities with over 90% accuracy. It is useful in the early detection of cavities, because it provides a method to quantify the size and precise location of dental caries (areas of decay). To determine if there is active decay in a tooth, when a cavity is suspected at an early stage, we record an initial fluorescence measurement. At your next appointment a comparison measurement is taken. If the later measurement is significantly larger than the first, then there is active decay and proper treatment should be sought.
Before fluoridation, cavities were easily detectible at the tooth's surface, but harder enamel (the result of fluoridation) has reduced the decay on the surface of teeth while subsurface decay has been unaffected. This results in cavities that appear as though they were small, but are extensive below the surface of the tooth. The Diagnodent allows Dr. Foley to diagnose this type of decay without having to do any "exploratory" excavation of suspect teeth.
To learn more about the Diagnodent, click here.
Intraoral Camera
The intraoral camera provides Dr.Foley with an additional method to view the teeth without the constraints of a mirror. Not only does it allow her to easily see areas that require attention, but it also allows the patient to see the view Dr.Foley is talking about.
An additional benefit of the Intraoral camera is it allows Dr.Foley to easily take pictures of places of concern. These images are electronically stored in your patient file, where they can be referenced at any time to reevaluate your oral health.
Digital X-Rays
Dr.Foley's office is equipped with a state of the art digital x-ray machine. The benefits of digital x-rays over conventional x-rays are that the amount of radioactivity the patient is exposed to is reduced. This means the exam procedure is safer for the patient and staff.
Additionally, digital tools used to analyze digital x-rays allow Dr.Foley to quickly and more accurately diagnose areas of dental decay.
"The Wand"
"The Wand" is a computer controlled anesthetic delivery system that allows Dr.Foley precise control and delivery of local anesthesia. The primary source of discomfort during an injection is the actual flow of liquid anesthesia into the tissue. The discomfort of an injection is greater when the delivery is not smooth and steady; "The Wand" ensures that anesthesia is delivered smoothly, and at a constant rate.
In addition to providing a more controlled delivery, "The Wand" looks nothing like a traditional syringe. In a recent survey, over 50% of patients fear anesthetic syringes. However, the small delivery handpiece of "The Wand" does not intimidate the same way as a traditional syringe. Furthermore, "The Wand" uses a smaller needle than is traditionally used on a syringe. This allows the injection to be less invasive by providing Dr.Foley more precise control over the injection.
Zoom! Whitening System
Zoom! whitening is the fastest tooth whitening system available. After an appointment of just a few hours, your teeth could be up to 8 shades whiter!
Zoom! in-office whitening is a light-activated tooth whitening treatment. After checking your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough to handle bleaching, one of our dental assistants will spread a whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide over your teeth. Then, she will flash the Zoom! low-heat lamp on your teeth to activate and break down the hydrogen peroxide. As the hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it allows oxygen to enter your teeth and bleach the dentin and enamel. After three gel applications, your hygienist will finish up the procedure with a fluoride treatment.
Many patients are very satisfied with the results from their very first Zoom! whitening treatment.
At Dr. Foley's office, we always makes sure that patients have a good understanding about every step of their dental visits and treatment programs. Patient needs and patient comfort always come first. By implementing new and innovative materials, equipment, and procedures, Dr. Foley and her staff can bring patients the excellence in dental care they deserve.
To learn more about these technologies, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foley, just click here. |
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