Do you ever wonder what advances have been made in dentistry? Have you put off going to the dentist? Now IS the time to go! Depending on when your last dental visit was, a lot has changed.
Digital x-rays have improved a dentist’s ability to look for problems in your mouth. Digital x-rays are faster and more efficient, cutting down on the amount of radiation you receive. Besides looking for cavities, dental x-rays can detect the amount of bone below the tooth, look for placement of dental implants, and check to make sure all of the root has been cleaned out during a root canal. Digital x-rays can also be saved on a computer and used to compare future dental x-rays, allowing your dentist to give you better care by detecting the changes in your oral anatomy earlier.
A dental veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is place over your existing tooth to correct cosmetic defects. Dental veneers are now thinner than ever and thin is good! Thinner veneers help preserve more tooth structure and it is ALWAYS advantageous to keep as much of your tooth as possible.
There is much better bonding and filling material. Today’s bonding material is made of a resin (plastic) that is shinier and stronger than materials used in the past. There is also a wide range of shades to choose from. Your dentist will be able to match the shade of your teeth, giving you a much better result that will last longer.
Dental implants are now becoming incredibly common to replace a missing tooth. Dr. Bomstad is certified in placing dental implants. First, Dr. Bomstad will place a titanium post that will fuse with your jawbone and protrude above the gum line. An abutment will be place on top of the post, followed by a crown. In the past, implants often failed. Today, according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 95% of implants are successful!
Lasers are now common in dental practices. Lasers cause less trauma and speed up healing time. They can be used for many things. At Bomstad Dental, they are used for gingivectomies, frenectomies, gum aesthetic re-contouring, excisional biopsies, treating cold sores, and gaining access to cavities or teeth below the gum-line.
The intraoral camera might be my favorite advance in dentistry! I enjoy being able to see what is happening in my mouth. Dr. Bomstad and Dr. Karban are able to show me the problem areas in my mouth using this tiny video camera. It allows me to fully understand their concerns and recommendations.
If the intraoral camera is my favorite advance, the dental wand is a close second! Who is afraid of needles and shots? I dreaded getting injections at the dentist, it was SO painful! The dental wand, along with the numbing gel that is placed on my gums before the injection, has changed that. The dental wand slowly administers anesthetic, changing the rate of delivery as you are numbed. It also warms the anesthetic making the injection unnoticeable to you. The dental wand is also light weight, allowing better control for Dr. Bomstad and Dr. Karban. Gone are the days of the large needle smashing into your bone and tendons, before a cold anesthetic is quickly plunged into your gums! I’m a bit jealous of kids today, they have had nothing but pleasant injections.
Today, there truly is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to having dental work done. The advances in dentistry have made for nearly painless procedures with quicker healing times. If you’re ready to give going back to the dentist a try, I promise you will be impressed! Call 952-938-7746 or click HERE to request an appointment.