There's virtually no area of our lives that technology hasn't touched, and dentistry is no exception! If it's been a while since your last dental visit, prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
At Finkbine Family Dentistry, we invest in your family's oral health by investing in technology that streamlines your visits and takes the stress out of dental visits. Our doctors stay current with all the latest developments in dentistry because we want to ensure that we are providing you with the highest standard of care! Using state-of-the-art technology, we can create crowns in a day, do away with messy impressions, eliminate cold sores, and much more!
Please take a moment to browse through the technology we use and how it benefits your treatment.
iPlus WaterLase Laser Dentistry
In the case of severe periodontal disease, it may be necessary to perform a minor surgical procedure called a gingivectomy. In the past, these cases required the use of invasive cut-and-stitch surgery. Today, however, we can eliminate the need for surgery with iPlus Waterlase technology. There's no need for painful cutting, so we don't need to use stitches. Post-procedure bleeding is minimal, and there is no downtime.
Laser technology can be used to treat a wide range of problems. If you are bothered by persistent cold sores, we recommend you consider laser treatment at our Summerville, SC dental office. Unlike topical creams and ointments, lasers destroy the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. The laser uses carefully controlled heat that penetrates the cold sore, kills the virus, and triggers your body to heal more quickly. And since the heat destroys the virus, you may not have a recurrence in the same area. Laser cold sore treatment takes about 15 minutes, and there’s no downtime.
Lasers can also be used to remove tooth decay and prepare surrounding enamel for a filling without the need for anesthesia.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Using traditional methods to create a dental crown can be a time-consuming process. First, the tooth is prepared, then messy impressions are taken. You receive a temporary crown to wear while your impressions go to a dental lab where your crown is finally created. In about two weeks, you return to the dental office to have the permanent crown adjusted, polished, and cemented in place.
Modern CEREC technology takes the traditional process for crowns and streamlines it so it involves only one appointment at our Summerville dental office.You don't have to put up with a temporary crown or the inconvenience of returning to our office for a second appointment. Our doctors create your new CEREC crown so it blends seamlessly with your smile and leaves you with a healthier, more attractive smile.
Digital Impressions
For a long time, the only option available for making an accurate model of your teeth was a big bulky metal tray filled with messy pink paste. Your dentist would have you bite down on the tray and wait for the impression material to set. Many patients find this process uncomfortable, especially if the dentist needed to repeat the process to get a clear impression.
Fortunately, technology has come a long way, and now we can do away with the whole unpleasant process. Today we can create a highly accurate model of your teeth using digital impressions.
We use a small handheld scanner that we direct over your teeth. The scan takes under ten minutes, and the result is a detailed 3-D model of your teeth. We can also create a 3-D image so you can see the smallest details and understand your treatment. Digital impressions deliver an accurate representation of your teeth, which results in improved treatment outcomes and a more comfortable experience.
Digital X-Rays
Traditional film x-rays are an essential diagnostic tool that dentists have been using for decades. Today, however, we have the ability to use digital x-rays to take precise and detailed images of your teeth and other structures of your mouth. You may notice a similarity between the sensor we use and the traditional x-ray film you’re used to. However, the sensor is linked digitally to a computer.
Digital x-rays can be displayed on your chairside monitor and enhanced so our doctors can show you precisely what’s happening inside your teeth. This gives us the freedom to discuss our findings with you in detail and ultimately results in better diagnoses and improved patient education. Understanding what’s involved allows you to make better treatment decisions, promoting a feeling of trust and confidence in your dental team.
Panoramic X-Rays
We use panoramic x-rays to take a single precise, two-dimensional image that includes all the structures of your mouth including teeth, jaws, and supporting structures and tissues. Imaging with panoramic x-rays is quick and comfortable and dramatically reduces your exposure to radiation.
Since panoramic x-rays take extra-oral (outside the mouth) images, the technology is especially useful for young children and adults who have a sensitive gag reflex or other limitations that make intraoral (inside the mouth) x-rays difficult.
Rotary Endodontics
We understand the anxiety around root canal treatment. Our goal is to make the procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible so we can save the tooth and protect your oral health.
Using rotary endodontics, our doctors performs gentle root canal treatment that makes the procedure more efficient, meaning you spend less time in the dental chair. Rotary endodontic instruments also provide better long-term outcomes because they clean the root canals more thoroughly than traditional endodontic tools.
Digital Records/Paperless Office
One of the reasons we use technology wherever possible is to streamline your visits and make them as stress-free as possible. Digital records allow us to easily access your files and information for quick reference or to share with specialists or insurance companies as necessary. If you're a new patient, you have the flexibility of filling out your registration forms online or on the iPad kiosk at our office.