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What
is Micro-dentistry?
Micro-dentistry
is a new, alternative way to treat decay in teeth. The idea
behind this technology is to remove as little of the natural
tooth as possible while removing all of the decay. With the
advent of our new bonding techniques, decay indicating dyes,
magnification, fiber-optic lights and white filling materials,
decay can be conservatively removed from a tooth and a filling
placed that will restore a tooth to its original strength
and beauty. Over 90% of the time, we do not need to make you
numb to do micro-dentistry and air abrasion so we can eliminate
the need for a shot. With the reduced need for anesthetic,
we can complete more work in a shorter amount of time since
we can work in multiple areas of your mouth in the same appointment.
In addition to saving time, you will enjoy the reduction of
noise normally caused by a traditional dental drill.
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How
is this done?
We use air-abrasion,
which is a relatively new process in which a fine, pressurized stream
of aluminum oxide powder is used to remove the small decayed pits
and fissures in teeth. Research studies have shown that in the absence
of smoking and coffee drinking, if a patient presents with dark
stained pits in their teeth, decay is present over 90% of the time
underneath the stains. In our office we believe very strongly in
prevention and early treatment of disease. It just makes good sense
to treat small cavities early with conservative micro-dentistry
than to wait for things to get worse.
The
technique:
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Small
cavities are identified and scheduled for early treatment. |
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The
teeth are isolated either with rubber dam or cotton rolls and
the decay is removed with the air-abrasion machine, under magnification
and special light sources in a very conservative manner. |
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Red cavity stain photo Special cavity stains are used to chemically
stain decay in the teeth to help us see any small spots so nothing
is missed. Once rinsed off, the tooth is now ready for the filling. |
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The prepared
tooth is treated with an acid solution to roughen the surface
and get it ready for the bonding process. Once “etched”,
the tooth is ready for bonding agents and the conservative filling.
We use special lights to harden the filling and then complete
the process by polishing the filling. |
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The surface
is sealed and protected leaving the tooth restored to its original
strength and beauty. |
| Micro-dentistry
is an excellent preventative treatment for those who share our
belief that early, conservative care is ideal. You can have
decay removed without a shot, loud noise, or bad smells. If
you have any questions, just ask us about this new and exciting
technology. |
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