I find technology can be very helpful to helping a patient understand the situation that’s going on in their mouth. One of the first pieces of technology that we’ve used for almost since I started practicing was the intraoral camera. There’s this little wand that’s a camera that we can show patients a broken tooth. We can show them a cavity. We can show them a pocket. And typically in an exam, I’ll show you an area that’s healthy and an area that’s diseased.
So it’s been extremely helpful to be able to use the intraoral camera to help educate patients. Number two technology that we’ve had is what we call a CT machine, a CT scanner. And basically, what this allows us to do is to capture an image of their whole mouth, their upper and lower jaw, and then put it in three dimensions. And so we’re able to see things that we weren’t able to see.
We’re able to see things before we go into the surgery if it’s going to be an extraction or an implant or periodontal treatment. We’re able to see before, which I prefer to see and not find out, and then have to explain to a patient something. So this has given us a wealth of information. The CT scan also helps us when we’re doing these teeth-in-a-day cases. It’s an image that’s captured, goes to our laboratory that creates the actual guide for the surgery. Then the last thing that we have incorporated is called an intraoral scanner.
So many of us, if we’ve had a crown done before and it was done a while ago, they put a tray in your mouth filled with goo, we’ll call it. With a digital scanner, like the CT scan, it captures the image in three dimensions. So it’s a wand that goes in your mouth. No goo, no trays. It’s very clean, it’s simple. And what’s interesting is when we’re doing this, I often see the patient watching it out of the corner of their eye. They can see it. It makes a little tick, tick, tick noise. And they watch it and they’re, like, “That’s fascinating.”
And so they’re able to see it. And we’re also able to see if we didn’t capture it well enough for the lab to be able to make what we call the custom abutment, or temporary, or whatever we’re doing, a night guard. So they are able to see it immediately, and we go, “Oh, well, you know, we’re just going to go back and catch this.” So we don’t have to do it again or call them back in later. Those are three technologies, I think, that have really transformed the way we do things in our office.
Unleash Your Smile’s Potential with Modern Dental Technology in St. Petersburg
When it comes to finding the best in dental care, you want to visit a dentist who invests in their patients. At our practice, Dr. Bruce Crawford stays on top of the changes in dentistry, including technologies that improve your experience. Our dental technology in St. Petersburg makes your visits more comfortable, efficient, and effective. You’ll benefit from:
- Precise diagnoses and personalized treatment planning for outstanding results
- Less invasive treatments and easier procedures
- Streamlined processes, so you can enjoy a healthier smile in less time
- Detailed imaging, so you can understand what’s going on with your oral health
Call 727-732-3173 for an appointment. Find out why so many patients keep returning by reading their testimonials.
We’ll Give You a Top-Quality Dental Experience
From placing your dental implants to improving your gum health to preparing your mouth for a specific procedure, we use advanced technology in all facets of our dental practice. Dr. Crawford also has over 25 years of experience as a periodontist. This combination of a trusted expert and leading technology gives you the best experience possible.
You’ll appreciate:
- Digital X-Rays – You’ll be exposed to less radiation with our digital X-ray equipment. It also yields faster results and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) – Our CBCT scanner produces 3-D images of your oral structures. This aids your dentist in precise implant placement and planning other procedures.
- Laser Dentistry – We use lasers in a variety of our treatments, including gum disease treatment, gum reshaping, and more. Laser treatment is minimally invasive, more comfortable, and encourages the healing process.
- Digital Scanner – We’ll create your new teeth with perfect customization, thanks to our digital scanner. No more messy trays of goop in your mouth!
To learn more about our dental technology in St. Petersburg, call 727-732-3173 for an appointment. You can also schedule online.
Laser treatments are typically a pain-free experience, which makes them popular among our patients. Lasers are also safer than the traditional methods of treating patients because they reduce your risk of infection and encourage the healing process.
It’s difficult to determine an exact cost without knowing the type of treatment you will need and making a complete examination of your mouth. However, patients typically save costs on dental care because of advanced dental technology. This is often because you’ll have fewer follow-up appointments and a lower risk of post-operative complications.
Because of advanced dental technology, we’re able to ensure more precise diagnoses and plan your treatments to your exact needs. From imaging and X-rays to materials used to the actual procedure, our modern equipment will give you a streamlined and stress-free appointment. Technologies such as lasers also make many treatments far more comfortable.
