Technology
In order to provide our patients with the best possible standard of care, we incorporate innovative technology such as:
The Dental Laser
By incorporating this tool into our procedures, we are able to increase comfort to such an extent that some people do not need local anaesthetic.
Common uses for the Dental Laser include:
The precise removal of damaged tooth structure, preserving a high amount of natural enamel. This precision saves tooth structure and creates far more comfortable treatment with dental restorations.
Laser treatment of gum disease involving deep pockets is completed right here in our office. Less invasive than other gum therapy treatments, the dental laser can even reverse damage from gum disease.
Used during root canal therapy, this laser provides powerful disinfection that increases the success rate of treatment and minimizes pain.
Laser technology is suitable for gum reshaping for an improved smile, often requiring no local anaesthetic. Laser is less traumatic to tissue than other reshaping techniques, and to faster healing due to decreased bleeding during treatment.
We use the Laser to remove bone and gum tissue in cases where a tooth has fractured below gum level. This procedure is called crown lengthening and enables us to restore the tooth with a healthy gum margin.
Teeth can be desensitized with this laser.
We use the Laser for taking biopsies, tongue tied cases (Frenectomies) and cutting soft tissue flaps or bone in implant and extraction cases.
Cold sores treated in their early states can be eliminated without pain and lengthy healing.
How does a Dental Laser work- By Dr. Helen Luo
CEREC Restorations
CEREC stands for Ceramic Restoration done by the Chairside. CEREC technology is one of our most advanced services, giving us the ability to create great fitting inlays, onlays, veneers, and crowns in just one visit. Treatment is safe and convenient. We first prepare the tooth, and then it is scanned using the CEREC Omnicam technology. This machine has a live video streaming camera which generates 3D colour images of the teeth and gum. From this image, we can design a customised restoration that fits the tooth precisely. The replacement crown, inlay or onlay is milled out of a block of biocompatible porcelain. In both our Sunbury and Moonee Ponds rooms we use the CEREC CAD/CAM technology, and the milling machine to create high quality ceramic restorations while you relax comfortably in the dental chair. Within a few minutes, the restoration is ready for placement. For your piece of mind, all of our dentists at Smile in Style have completed training using the CEREC Omnicam technology and have years of experience in placing CEREC restorations.
Many of our patients are looking for long lasting, comfortable, biocompatible/non-metallic restorations in cases where large fillings or crowns fail. The CEREC Omnicam can provide these restorations in one visit. In the past we took impressions and placed a temporary restoration for the patient. Then the patient was required to come back for a second visit for the insertion of the crown or inlay or onlay. Now our patients are very happy to have only one visit for a beautiful, natural looking, CEREC restoration. Please click on this link to watch this video for more information on CEREC restorations
CEREC Omnicam
Cone Beam CT Machine
The Smile in Style Sunbury Dental Practice was the first dental practice in Victoria to install a Vatech Green 16 Cone Beam CT unit back in August 2018. This machine is able to take an OPG wide mouth x-ray to look at bone levels in the jaw, the position of wisdom teeth, and for orthodontic records. The CBCT unit can also take 3D images and is the diagnostic unit of choice for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), root canal and implant cases. In terms of health and safety which is a major area of concern for our holistic patients – the Green 16 unit has one of the lowest radiation exposures on the market and still is able to generate accurate and clear images to assist the dentist with their diagnosis. It is also a wonderful tool to allow patients to visualise what is going on in their mouth. The added benefit for patients is that this state of the art technology is right here in their local Sunbury dentist and no longer do patients have to travel to Melbourne to have a CBCT x-ray taken.
Guided Implant planning and surgery
Guided implant planning involves the collection of models, photos, radiographs and a medical history to check that patients are suitable for implants. Then we create a diagnostic guide (replacement tooth or denture to simulate ideal positioning of the missing tooth/teeth). The patient wears this guide when a 3D cone beam scan is taken. We then import the scan data into our software program to ideally position implants to replace the missing tooth/teeth in the bone, avoiding damage to nerves, sinuses and other roots of teeth. From this planning a surgical guide can be made to replicate the ideal positioning of the implants during surgery. Using the pre-designed guide during surgery usually eliminates the need to create large gum flaps. This greatly reduces post-operative swelling and discomfort. Surgery kits are used in conjunction with the guide to control angulation and the depth of the drills for implant placement. In cases where there is inadequate bone volume or depth, grafting or sinus lift procedures using artificial bone may be necessary.
Implants and any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. We will discuss the risks of the procedure during your consultation as well as examine your health to ensure you are a suitable candidate for implants. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Diagnodent- A Laser Decay Detector
Conventional dentistry using a probe and vision only picks up 25% of decay in grooves in teeth. The Diagnodent increases the accuracy to 95%. The best way to treat cavities is to find them early; before they have caused much damage to teeth. Using the Diagnodent we are able to accurately measure tooth density, which alerts us to the presence of tooth decay. By detecting decay early, we are able to treat it very conservatively, preserving tooth structure and strength. The grooves are the weaker and more decay prone areas of teeth. When we have found decay in grooves using the Diagnodent, we recommend cleaning out the decay with our dental laser. By using the dental laser, we are able to minimise the loss of tooth structure. Then we repair the clean groove with white filling material. In most cases we can achieve this with no anaesthetic (no needle).
Rotary NiTi files for root canal therapy
This beneficial treatment is designed to preserve a damaged tooth by removing infection. We use precise instruments, Rotary NiTi files, during root canal therapy, along with local anaesthetic, and our patients report feeling little if any discomfort.
We ensure comfort and a positive outcome of treatment by measuring the length of the root canal with a rotary device, and thoroughly cleaning canal walls so that optimal size and shape are accomplished for filling. Combined with dental laser disinfecting power, our level of canal cleaning and measuring facilitates a greater success rate for treatment.
Digital x-rays
X-rays have changed significantly over the years. Smile in Style uses digital x-ray imaging, which uses only 20 per cent of the radiation of standard x-ray equipment. This technology also allows the immediate viewing of images, which can be shared easily with the patient.
Based on computer files rather than films, digital x-rays are easily stored in your digital patient record at Smile in Style, making it convenient to compare records.
Digital x-ray imaging is also environmentally friendly, eliminating the release of processing chemicals into our local environment.
In our Sunbury practice, we also have digital OPG and lateral ceph equipment, which allows for accurate, full mouth images with low radiation dosage. This type of imaging is beneficial to surgical and orthodontic treatment plans.
Computerised record-keeping
Dental care should be personal, private, and convenient. Our computerised system of online appointments and patient files means that we can easily access your records when needed for answering questions or planning appointments. We use dental software that is networked, so we have access to your treatment history, financial details, medical history, dental charts and x-ray images from either office.
