New Technology in the Dental Office

Dentistry has come a long way in making patient checkups more comfortable. With today's technology, dentists are better equipped to detect and treat tooth decay and perform other procedures with maximum comfort. You might find that your dentist has added some of the relatively newer technologies during your next visit.

What if my dentist does not have this equipment?

Dentists keep their eye on new technologies as they are introduced to ensure that they are safe and beneficial for patient use. As members in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), general dentists read clinical studies to determine the efficacy of a product prior to purchasing new equipment.

Air abrasion

Air abrasion is a procedure used to remove small areas of decay or to prepare a tooth for the placement of restorations or sealants. This procedure uses an air compression device to deliver, under pressure, tiny particles of aluminum oxide onto the surface of a tooth structure to blast away decay. This is similar to sandblasting a building in order to clean it.

With air abrasion, discomfort is minimized and many patients do not need any anesthesia. Children and adults who are fearful of needles, noise or the vibration of a regular dental handpiece may prefer this option if it is available. Air abrasion cannot be used as an alternative for every procedure.

Intraoral cameras

First developed in 1987, the intraoral camera is a wand-like device that projects a magnified picture from a patient's mouth onto a screen. The image allows both the dentist and patient to see fractured teeth, receding gums, and broken restorations, such as fillings.

After these pictures are taken, dentists are better able to diagnose and recommend treatment for their patients. The pictures also can provide documentation for insurance companies.

Digital radiography

Similar to traditional X-ray systems, digital radiography allows dentists to detect decay, bone loss and help with root canals. To take a digital X-ray, dentists will place a sensor on the tooth that looks like a piece of film. The process is a little faster than a traditional X-ray system, so patients' exposure to radiation is decreased.

Once the picture is taken, dentists can adjust the contrast and brightness to optimize diagnosis and find even the smallest areas of decay. Another benefit of digital radiography is the elimination of chemicals to process the film. The time to develop photos is reduced and can eliminate treatment disruptions.

Lasers

As scientific studies are confirmed, lasers may be a good alternative to the traditional drill, as anesthetic is not needed as often. Lasers are more precise and can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies. Currently, your dentist may use lasers for tooth whitening, periodontal (gum) disease therapy and removal of tooth decay. Laser therapy cannot be used as an alternative for every procedure.

Have Your Teeth Had Their Picture Taken Lately?

The latest technology in dentistry is giving patients an inside look at their teeth and a better image and understanding of the state of their dental health.

The intraoral camera, now used by some dentists, allows patients to see their teeth up close and in color, using a pencil-sized wand with a tiny lens that can be pointed to any area in the mouth. The dentist can zoom in for close-ups and can take snapshots that can be discussed with the patient. Procedures can even be videotaped and later shown to the patient.

"Intraoral cameras definitely improve communication between the dentist and the patient," says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Paul Bussman, DMD. "Before, all the dentist could do visually was to use a light and a mirror to show a patient what was wrong. Now, we can take before-and-after shots for patients to compare, and we can even print a color image that you can take home," says Dr. Bussman.

Dr. Bussman reports that an added benefit of the intraoral camera is the way it inspires children to become more interested in their dental care. "Kids are much more relaxed about a procedure when they can see images of the treatment area first and get to take home pictures of their mouth to show family and friends."

Forensic Dentistry: The Key to Unlocking Many Mysteries

Forensic dentistry is one of the most valuable investigative tools available today to link crime suspects with their victims. With several high-profile missing persons cases in the news today, forensic dentistry is gaining importance and attention as investigators attempt to piece together several yet-unsolved puzzles.

"From using bite-mark analysis to prove your neighbor's dog bit your child to the extreme cases of identifying bodies, forensic dentistry is an important part of dentistry," said R. Tom Glass, DDS, PhD, a leading expert in the field of forensic dentistry.

Teeth provide investigators and forensic experts with an excellent resource for identifying people involved in catastrophic situations and missing persons cases. The protective qualities of the human tooth keep the inner pulp – where DNA is stored – safe and can preserve this tissue, even under the most extreme external conditions.

"Without dental records and the expert analysis provided by dentists, an incomplete picture would be painted in criminal and civil investigations, as well as in body identification," said Dr. Glass. "Forensic dentistry can provide the verification needed to achieve legal justice, while providing emotional closure to those involved."

In catastrophic cases, a dentist can help officials identify victims when no other identifiers are available. Dr. Glass played a leading role in identifying a large percentage of the victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing disaster. Without proper identification of these victims, Timothy McVeigh would not have been convicted of their murders.

"The importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date dental records cannot be underscored enough," said Dr. Glass. "Without the benefit of accurate dental records, countless court cases and criminal investigations would flounder, leaving little recourse to those affected."

Dental Light Sabers: Coming Soon?

The word "laser" might conjure thoughts of "Star Wars," but lasers are no longer merely the subject of science-fiction works. Lasers have permeated most fields of medicine, revolutionizing the way patients are diagnosed and treated.

Advantages to using lasers are that dentists may not need to use a drill or administer anesthesia, allowing patients to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience. "Some lasers can anesthetize the tooth, which can be of great value to people who cannot tolerate local anesthesia or are needlephobic," says Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) spokesperson Maharukh Kravich, DDS, FAGD.

Also, laser procedures can be more precise and can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies. Some dentists are using lasers for tooth whitening, periodontal (gum) disease therapy and removal of tooth decay. In the future, laser technology may be used to prevent decay by increasing the strength of the tooth.

However, laser therapy cannot be used as an alternative for every procedure.

According to AGD spokesperson Eugene Antenucci, DDS, FAGD, "Lasers have been routinely used in dentistry since 1990." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed lasers safe for use on all patients.

At this time, only a small percentage of dentists use lasers. If you are seeking a dentist who uses lasers, you should verify the dentist has been properly trained, since there are no state laws requiring dentists to have training in the use of lasers.

"Make sure that your dentist has the right amount of training," encourages Dr. Kravich.

The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) says dentists should have completed at least a standard proficiency level of competency.

Bringing Science Fiction Closer to Reality for Dentists

With advancements in genetic research, namely the Human Genome Project, dentistry is expected to change dramatically in the future. In fact, these advancements in genetic research include the ability to one day grow teeth, engineer salivary gland tissues and conduct gene therapy to reduce periodontal (gum) disease.

The implications of DNA mapping for dentistry are profound. "The same technology used to map the human genome is being used to map the genomes of major pathogens," says Max Anderson, DDS. Specifically this research would help erase pathogens that cause cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, in addition to development of designer drugs to either prevent or treat these problems.

Dentistry's future will include the ability to customize patient treatment according to each patient's genetic profile. In fact, Dr. Anderson predicts that dentists of the future may practice only cosmetic-and trauma-related dentistry.

Additionally, scientists are working on the future by finding genes critical for tooth development. "You can actually grow a mouse tooth in a culture dish," says Rene D'Souza, DDS, department of orthodontics, University of Texas-Houston Dental Branch. Scientists remove tooth tissues from a mouse embryo, add the genes necessary for tooth development to the culture dish and create mouse dentition.

"The hope is that if we can advance fast enough with human genetics that we will be able to bioengineer human teeth for replacement," says Dr. D'Souza.

Gene therapy is a new approach to treat, cure and ultimately prevent disease by changing a person's genes. It introduces a normal gene into a cell in which the gene is defective. Other advances in gene therapy expected to affect dentistry are tissue engineering of salivary gland function. This would be important to patients with dry mouth and those who have experienced irreversible salivary gland damage due to radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.