New Technology

Houston, Katy, Baytown, Sugar Land, and Galveston, Texas

Computerized TMJ Analysis

What is it? Dentistry has for years lagged behind in technology as opposed to medicine when it comes to treating complex issues such as TMJ and bite problems. Most dentist still arbitrarily guess where to position the jaw and to determine what the problems are with the TMJ joint. For example, your cardiologist does not use a stethoscope to determine how your heart muscles are, they use EKG's. Computerized TMJ Analysis allows for us to use EMG's in a similar manner to determine which muscles are not working properly with the jaw alignment. This coupled with many other computerized scans allows us to assess what problems are present and allows us to treat the problems accordingly. Electronic jaw tracking and electrosonography two additional scans that the computerized TMJ analysis allows us to assess.

The electronic jaw tracking allows us to see the actual movements of the jaw in three dimensions. The electrosonography listens to the joint sounds in which an assessment to degree of degeneration can be seen.

In addition to providing such in depth information, when corrections are made to the joint and bite, we can ascertain that the muscles and joints are responding correctly and allowing for stability. Everything can be measured and analyzed, The computerized analysis provides so much information about the joints,muscles, and bite as opposed to arbitrarily placing a splint in and hoping that the patient gets better.

The computerized scans are also used to help adjust the bite, verify stability during treatment. This is amazing technology that provides such insight to a complex issue.

New Bonding Resins by Empress Direct

This is an exciting product that we added to our armentarium for bonding teeth. The Empress Direct has true to nature shades that allow us to seamlessly and artistically mimic nature. Additionally, this system polishes beautifully to a gloss and lustre as well as retains this surface gloss.

What are the differences between this bonding technique as opposed to traditional bonding? The new system offers much more natural shading and polishability.

Lasers

What lasers are used? Lasers have come a long way in dentistry and allow for better and less invasive dentistry.

What procedures are they used for? Lasers in dentistry are used for a variety of procedures. The Diode laser in our office is primarily used for painlessly recontouring and removing soft tissue (gums) for functional and/or cosmetic procedures. Additionally, we use this for frenectomies and removing small lesions.

The lasers offer a huge advantage over traditional methods of using a blade to cut as there is no bleeding, no post op pain, and the tissues heal so much better. I cannot imagine practicing without this laser.

Bluephase 210 Curing Lights

This is another new product we have added to our office. When performing dentistry with tooth colored materials whether it is bonded fillings or porcelain veneers or crowns, the lights we use make the materials set or harden. The BLUEPHASE 210 is one of the strongest lights on the market which helps to ensure that the material sets completely for maximum strength. Additionally, this light cures almost all materials and only takes 5-10 seconds as opposed to some of the older LED lights that require a lot more time. This is advantageous to our patient's as it ensures a strong bond and saves them chairside time as well.

Immediate Dentinal Seal Technique

This is a new technique that is now being used to protect the nerve inside the tooth after dental care is performed. For example if an onlay, crown, or veneer is being completed and a temporary placed, rather then waiting until the patient returns and the long term restoration placed, the tooth is immediately disinfected and the nerve sealed off. This technique can be likened to placing medicine on a cut immediately as opposed to waiting a week. The benefits are reduced risk of endodontic treatment (root canal).

 

For more information, or to schedule a consultation in our Houston, Texas office, please email or call us today.