New Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

   New procedures and technologies have improved all aspects of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry. These are are some of the latest ways modern technology plays an integral role in aesthetic dentistry:

Computer imaging and smile design. Smilepix (Springfield, Massachusetts) is one example of new hardware and software that can display the potential end results of a complete smile makeover, allowing patients to "try-on" their new smile before the smile design process begins. The smile design consultation includes photos of you taken with a digital camera. With the help of computer imaging, these digital images are modified to create a picture of you with a new smile showing the changes you want. This allows you to pick the precise changes you want to see when your smile makeover is finished, and helps your cosmetic dentist design the correct treatment plan. You can even print out "before" and "after" computerized images so that you can show friends and family what you could look like with a new smile. Another benefit is that computerized imaging can reveal changes you may want that perhaps cosmetic dentistry cannot deliver. This is important so that you don't pursue results that aren't realistic or for some other reason can't be attained.

Digital X-ray system. Another innovation that can help in smile design is the use of digital X-rays, which capture a digital image of your tooth on a computer screen almost instantaneously. The cosmetic dentist can look closely at any tooth, rotate it and examine it from many angles, sharpen or colorize it on the computer screen, gaining important information about which procedures to use when creating your smile design. Another benefit is the high sensitivity of the sensor used, which can reduce the amount of X-ray exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional dental X-rays.

Computerized bite evaluation. This specialized machine, the T-Scan, allows the dentist to take much of the subjectivity out of traditional bite assessments. Poor occlusion ("bite") can be associated with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder, nighttime teeth-grinding or bruxism, headaches and other symptoms. Conservative treatment of TMJ Disorder frequently involves use of an occlusal splint, also called a night guard, which protects the teeth from further wear. Treatment may also involve bite adjustment, involving tiny modifications to the shape of the teeth as they come together, until the correct bite is achieved. Computerized bite evaluation gives the dentist a more objective and precise technique for correcting bite problems, compared to traditional methods, reducing the risk of implant failures, traumatized teeth, unstable dentures, and porcelain fractures.

Waterlase Dental Laser. This high-tech tool offers patients a safe alternative to traditional dental drills without the sounds, heat, and vibration that cause discomfort for many people. This technology involves the spray of atomized water with laser energy, focused on a tooth with pinpoint accuracy, thereby leaving surrounding teeth and tissue unharmed. The areas of dental care that typically employ this laser technology are: cavity removal, periodontal care, teeth whitening, and curing (hardening) bonding materials or tooth-colored fillings, allowing them to last longer.

Fast teeth whitening. New teeth whitening procedures, such as Zoom or the BriteSmile method (Springfield, Massachusetts), utilize a gentle hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel which is applied to the teeth, then activated with a special blue-white lightening lamp. The activated gel essentially bleaches away stains and residue on a tooth in less than one hour.

Accelerated Orthodontics is a relatively new way to reposition and adjust teeth faster than traditional braces. While traditional braces take anywhere from one to three years, accelerated orthodontics produces results in three to eight months. The procedure involves a team of dental specialists specifically trained in accelerated orthodontics. Periodontal surgery may be required within about one week after braces are placed, and it is common to have an itching sensation in the gums due to teeth moving faster than with traditional dental braces.