Drill Less Dentistry

Q.    When I visit the dentist, how do I know if I have decay?

A.  For many years, the standard for detecting decay was the dental xray.   Of greatest concern was the exposure to radiation.  A second concern is that the decay needs to be in an advanced stage before it is large enough to be detected, meaning that the decay must be present for quite some time before it was detected.  Current technology utilizes lasers to find decay before it is seen on an xray.   That way, vital and important tooth structure is conserved, reducing the need for more invasive procedures such as crowns and root canals.

Q.    My dentist told me that I have five cavities to be filled.  Is there any way to fix them without being numb?

A.  Yes.  Now it is possible to get dental fillings without having to be “numbed” or use needles. “Air abrasion,” also referred to as “drill-less” dentistry, utilizes air pressure to gently spray away decay.

Q.    If I have a very large filling in my tooth that is cracked, decayed, or broken, is there a better way to fix my tooth other than a cap (crown)?

A.  Yes.  Traditional dentistry utilizes crowns (caps) to fix large areas of decay or defective fillings. The disadvantage is that they grind your tooth down to a peg, which is very aggressive and traumatic to your tooth.  Current technology is awesome!  You can now fix your tooth with very conservative, longer lasting tooth colored “inlays.”  They do not grind your tooth into a peg, and actually strengthen your tooth, keeping more of your natural tooth.  As an added feature, they are “Invisible” to the naked eye, unlike traditional porcelain crowns.