Until recently, using the traditional dental hand piece was the only way we had to remove decay from your teeth. But now, Back Mountain Dental have a new option called air abrasion that allows us to remove decay on teeth without even touching them! What is air abrasion? Air abrasion is a process in which a special hand piece removes decay by propelling a stream of clean dry air mixed with tiny abrasive particles onto the surface of the tooth. It is most effectively used for removal of small discolorations and stains, and repair or replacement of small fillings. It can be used to expose hidden cavities, which we can then remove and restore with a filling material. ​​​​Air abrasion is a wonderful new technology that allows us to remove the smallest possible amount of tooth structure, and enables us to place strong, natural looking restorations in only a short amount of time.

Intra-oral Camera

The intra-oral camera allows the patient to see what the dentist sees during an examination. The tiny camera takes detailed photos of the teeth and gums, highlighting decay, cavities, receding gumlines, and other issues and projecting these images onto a computer screen. The images allow patients to make informed decisions about their dental health.

Computer Imaging

A digital picture is taken of your smile computer and sent to Smileover.com to illustrate the potential end results of a complete smile makeover with restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Computer imaging software allows patients to “try on” their new smile before treatment even begins.

Laser Dentistry

Laser Dentistry makes numerous dental treatments quicker and more comfortable than ever before. The office is equipped with several lasers, each of which performs a specific task.

Laser Gum Recontouring

The Diode Laser, can reshape the gums and create the appearance of a longer tooth in less than five seconds, without bleeding. By removing excess gum tissue, we can expose more of the enamel and produce a fuller, brighter smile.

Diagnodent

Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to diagnose cavities, especially in the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of your back teeth. The traditional way to check for cavities was by looking for visual signs of decay on the tooth, checking X-rays, or feeling for a soft area with a dental explorer. However, we now have a diagnostic tool called the Diagnodent that helps us locate even the smallest amount of decay. Diagnodent is a laser technology that scans your teeth with harmless pulses of light. When a cavity is present, fluorescent light of a different wavelength bounces back to the sensor, which is translated to a digital read-out. In general, the higher the number, the greater the amount of decay in the tooth. When a cavity is present, the Diagnodent also produces an audible signal. The widespread use of fluoride has made finding and restoring cavities early in their development more difficult in recent years. Fluoride hardens the outer enamel layer of your teeth, which means decay has a difficult time gaining a foothold. As a result, cavities are typically smaller and can be much harder to diagnose. Before, a dental explorer would catch on the decay, or the cavity would show up on a routine X-ray. Now, however, a small cavity can easily go undetected. You’ll benefit from our use of Diagnodent, because it helps us find decay that may have previously gone undetected. By diagnosing decay early in its development, we can prevent more extensive damage. Your restorations will be smaller and less costly, and you’ll be able to retain more of your own natural, healthy tooth.