Advanced Technology

Digital Imaging

Dr. Johnson chooses carefully which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. 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. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Johnson utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure time is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital imaging can also help us retrieve valuable diagnostic information. We may be able to see cavities better.

Digital imaging also allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.

Digital X-rays offer more precision since we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding up a 35mm film up to the light. Digital X-rays results in 1/6th the radiation exposure to you.  They also produce less waste.

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. Johnson 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!

Intraoral 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.

iTero 3D Scanner

Reduces or eliminates need for messy impressions. This can be used for tooth restorations and invisalign!

An iTero scanner is a special high-tech device used to create a 3D printed model of your teeth without any discomfort. The best way to think of this device is as an upgraded x-ray that captures every angle and nuance of your teeth to create a highly accurate impression. This can be used in orthodontics or making restorations.  It does not produce radiation.

iTero scanners have driven restorative capabilities forward, powering over 10 million restorations through an innovative open system.  It has integrated advanced diagnostic tools that support patient diagnosis and treatment.    ITero emails images directly to our restoration lab or to Invisalign, decreasing turn around time. 

 iTero Element scans are accurate and quick, having scientifically proven accuracy for our clinical restorative needs.

Benefits of iTero:

• Detect and monitor interproximal caries above the gingiva in real time.
• Get a comprehensive view of how a patient’s bite is functioning.
• Combine scans to visualize change in condition over time.
• See each tooth in detail with a wide-angle view of the scanning area.

Carestream 8200 CAT Scan

There are many advantages to a Cone Beam/CT scan, including the following:
Higher image quality and pinpoint accuracy 3D imaging is not possible with traditional x-rays Detailed information about the health of hard and soft tissue Comfortable, with no need for biting down on inflexible film Cone Beam/CT scans use less radiation than traditional x-rays

What Can a Cone Beam/CT Scan Do?
Detail the shape, size, and dimensions of your jawbone and teeth Provide precise measurements of the oral cavity and its parts Provides tooth orientation Reveal the location of nerve bundles Detect lesions that could be caused by oral disease Clearly illustrate gum and soft tissue problems Help locate the cause of dental pain Provides clear images of the sinuses and nasal cavities

CT scans provide detailed 3D images of the tooth. The doctor doing a root canal may recommend CT scans to accurately diagnose the extent of infection, detect hidden canals, assess bone density, and plan precise treatment strategies.