Modern Dental Technology Makes Treatment Less Scary

Many Arlington residents are afraid to go to the dentist. For some men and women with dental anxiety, it’s because they had a painful experience at the dentist when they were young. Others fear needles or a perceived lack of control. Another oft-cited reason people are scared of the dentist is the dreaded dental drill.

If you need dental treatment and are putting it off, we have wonderful news. It may not require a dental drill!

Drill-less Dentistry

Drill-less dentistry is commonly called air abrasion or microabrasion. Air abrasion can be used for all types of dental procedures such as removing tooth decay or preparing tooth surfaces for sealants, bonding, or a crown. An air abrasion instrument works like a little sandblaster. It shoots a fine stream of particles at the area that would generally be drilled. After the stream of particles strikes and removes the cavities, the materials are suctioned out of the mouth.

What Are the Advantages of Air Abrasion?

Compared with the conventional drilling method, the advantages of air abrasion include:

• Air abrasion creates no heat, pressure, or vibration.
• Air abrasion may reduce the need for anesthesia, particularly if the cavity is shallow.
• Air abrasion leaves more of the healthy tooth tissue behind.
• Air abrasion reduces the risk of fracturing and chipping of the tooth, which some dentists believe can impact the life span of the filling. (WebMD)

Laser Dentistry

Another technology that helps make a dental procedure more quickly and less painful is laser dentistry. Pinpoint-precise Diode lasers are typically easier on the patient and require shorter healing times.

Here are some of the ways dentists use lasers:

1. Tooth decay. Lasers are used to eliminate tooth decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for the filling.
2. Gum disease. Lasers are used to reshape gums and clear away bacteria during root canal procedures.
3. Biopsy. Lasers can remove a small piece of tissue (called a biopsy) so that it can be examined for cancer.
4. Lesion Removal. Lasers are also used to remove lesions in the mouth and relieve the pain of canker sores.
5. Teeth Whitening. Lasers are used to speed up in-office teeth whitening services. A peroxide bleaching solution, applied to the tooth surface, is ”activated” by laser energy, which speeds up of the whitening process. (American Dental Association)

Sleep Dentistry

Still not convinced? How about . If advanced technology and equipment don’t ease your mind, consider sleeping through your treatment. At Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we offer several levels of sedation for even the most terrified patients.

Dental problems don’t go away. They get worse. (And that’s the scariest thing of all.)

A compassionate, understanding dental team is just as important as the latest dental technology. At Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand how debilitating dental anxiety can be. Let us help you through your treatment and get you on the path toward optimum oral health.