Advanced Technology
Precision Dentistry
When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Porteous utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care.
Our practice uses high power microscopes and LED surgical lights to enhance the precision of patient care.
Dentistry is micro-surgery. Using microscopes enables us to create dental restorations with incredibly precise fit and finish. You just can’t fulfill that level of care with the naked eye.
Digital Imaging
Dr. Porteous choose carefully which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Digital Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. Digital Radiographs enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs.
Dental radiographs are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Dr. Porteous utilize Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. Digital X-rays are healthier for the patient by cutting exposure time in half and limiting radiation exposure to 1/16th that of traditional dental x-rays. Digital radiographs allow the image to be magnified on the computer monitor which can help us to see cavities and pathology more clearly. Digital radiography is also better for the environment. Chemcials used to develop film, and excess plastic waste are eliminated when using digital imaging.
Digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies or our patients.
Laser Dentistry
For patients who do not look forward to needles, drilling, or numbness, Laser Dentistry may be the right choice.
Laser dentistry is one of dentistry’s latest advances. The laser delivers energy in the form of light. Depending on the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target.” In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Laser dentistry can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures. Oftentimes no local anesthesia is required. Unlike with the dental drill, with laser dentistry there is no heat or vibration, making the procedure quite comfortable for most patients. For soft tissue (surgical) procedures it eliminates the need for suturing and healing is much faster.
Lasers can be used to diagnose cavities. They can find hidden decay in teeth in early stages, and in some cases the decay can be reversed through hygiene and fluoride treatment and may never need filling.
Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:
- Cavity diagnosis and removal
- Curing, or hardening, bonding materials
- Whitening teeth
- Periodontal, or gum related, care
- Pediatric procedures
- Apthous Ulcer treatment (canker sore)
- Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
- Root canals and apicoectomies
- Crown lengthening, gingivectomy and other gum corrections
Complete list of FDA cleared procedures: http://www.waterlase.com/fora.html
Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating both children and adults.
Intraoral Camera
Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing.
Dr. Porteous utilizes intraoral camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you!
Intra oral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.