15 Dental Advancements You Should Know

Forest Smiles – The Best Dentist in Lynchburg, VA

In the last several years, there have been a number of dental technological advancements that make it likely that there are terms or developments you may have missed which you should not ignore. Cosmetic dentists in our office want you to become aware of how far dentistry has come and want you to become familiar with what our dentists can do for you.

1) Adhesive Dentistry – A term used to describe the fusing of composite materials including resin and porcelain fillings to the natural tooth.

2) Air-Abrasion – The removal of the structure of the tooth using abrasion and air, a fairly modern practice that may avoid the need for a numbing agent.

3) Block Treatment – The numbing of the nerve trunk that includes a large portion of the jaw; a mandibular block injection that produces the deadening of the lower jaw, the tongue, and teeth.

4) Bonding – A dental restoration method that includes the use of a tooth-colored composite material to correct or alter the original form of a tooth. The process consists of placing the material to the tooth’s original surface, developing a bond resembling natural enamel which is shaped, sculpted, hardened, and polished to perfection.

5) Cavitron – A device that uses a series of high-frequency ultrasonic waves to wash teeth.
A titanium tube is surgically put into the bone on top of the lower jaw to supply support for dental restoration.

6) Composite Resin – A substance made up of tiny glass or plastic particles that are often cured with either a filtered light or chemical driver.

8) Cosmetic Dentistry – A number of procedures and remedies completed to improve the overall look of the patient’s teeth.

9) Cosmetic Contouring – The practice of shaping and sculpting the natural teeth to make them appear straighter and more aligned.

10) Intraoral Camera – A tiny camera that is used to view and amplify dental issues. The pictures might be published by your McMinnville aesthetic dentist.

11) Laughing Gas – Also referred to as Nitrous Oxide; the process involves breathing the odorless agent that decreases anxiety and can generate a situation of rest or sleep.

12) Porcelain-Fused to Metal (PFM) – The repair of teeth using steel coping (for power) that is covered by a layer of porcelain or other composite material (for appearance).

13) Porcelain Inlay or Onlay – A natural, tooth-colored material used in the restoration of teeth in which the material is cemented or bonded into position.

14) Sealants – A thin, glue content bonded within the pits and fissures of the back teeth (molars) that is intended to prevent decay. Since the back teeth have almost all eating responsibility, these regions are particularly susceptible to cavities, and their surfaces tend to be uneven. They’re often covered with little chips which often hide food, resulting in plaque deposits.

15) Veneers – Veneers are plastic, porcelain, or other composite materials that are bonded directly to the natural tooth to enhance its look. Veneers are generally used for fixing damage, broken, or worn teeth.