Technology

Dental Technology San Rafael, CA

Technology helps us to increase safety and reduce chair time.

The field of dentistry is always changing, and at North Bay Dental, we have developed an effective strategy of incorporating new advancements in technology while also maintaining traditional and proven methods. As your San Rafael dentist, Dr. Rupi Buttar always has your interest at heart and embraces all the new technologies that improve the quality of care our patients receive.

Digital X-Rays

Are you concerned about X-rays?

If you’re concerned about x-ray exposure, so are we. That’s why we’ve recently acquired digital dental radiography.

Your X-rays will still be taken only as necessary and as recommended by the American Dental Association. However, they’ll be safer, better, faster, and smarter!

Safer

X-rays play an invaluable role in the diagnosis of dental problems. But many people are concerned about exposure to X-ray radiation. Digital X-ray eliminates those worries because it requires 80% less radiation than conventional film x-rays.

Better

As accurate as conventional X-rays—and reveals things film can’t. The Digital X-ray image can be magnified 300 times its normal size to enhance diagnosis, manipulated to correct contrast, and color adjusted to reveal hidden problems.

Faster

More time treating, less time processing film. Digital images are instantaneous. No time is wasted processing and mounting X-ray film. So the dental staff spends less time in the darkroom and more time with you, discussing the health of your teeth.

Smarter

No harmful waste—or wasted money. The digital system uses no film or chemicals, so we don’t have to worry about disposing of hazardous processing waste. That’s good news for the environment.

Additionally, digital x-rays are covered under your basic x-ray benefits, so there’s no reduction in your insurance benefits.

3D X-Rays

Vatech™ Cone Beam 3D Imaging

The Vatech™ Green CT 2 provides advanced dental imaging using cone beam CT technology. It is a complete X-ray platform, versatile enough to create panoramic, cephalometric, as well as 3D X-rays.

With a single pass of the scanning arm, we can create an entire 3D model of your mouth—capturing teeth, jaw, and the surrounding soft tissue in higher quality imagery than ever before.

By allowing us to look at the problem from all angles, these 3D images provide information that is vital to proper diagnosis and optimal treatment planning. We often use this capability for things such as dental implants, orthodontic treatment, periodontal disease, TMJ, sleep apnea, and many others.

Additionally, the Vatech™ Green CT 2 can create conventional 2D panoramic X-rays (all the teeth at once), cephalometric images (the entire head), as well as smaller “bitewing” images of specific treatment areas.

Intraoral Cameras

Now you can see what we see.

Another marvel of technology is making a major impact in our office. Previously limited by the use of tiny mirrors and reflected lighting, we’re now able to take a more depth and accurate view of your mouth. And you’ll be able to see what we see.

We now have intraoral cameras to add dimension to our examination and diagnostic procedures. This high-tech camera system allows us to point a small wand at your teeth, gum tissues, previous restorations, etc. and magnify them onto a monitor. With the high-resolution camera and monitor, we’re able to examine more closely than ever before.

One of the most important aspects of intraoral cameras is that for the first time, you’ll be able to see exactly what we’re seeing. During your exams, we’ll be using this equipment to look for new decay, leakage around old fillings or crowns, cracks or defects in old crowns or fillings, and tissue changes or lesions.

This new equipment can also record and “freeze-frame” the findings and print out a high resolution photo of questionable conditions. This enables us to compare current examination findings with future findings and accurately determine changing conditions.

As always, you are an important participant in achieving and maintaining your highest level of dental health. The accuracy of the new equipment will allow you a better opportunity to really see what’s going on.