Our Technology Tumwater, WA
At Deschutes River Dentistry in Tumwater WA, you’ll discover dental care at the highest level possible:
Technology, advanced training, and compassionate service blended perfectly together.
Our doctors carefully selects technologies proven to deliver the finest experience to their patients. This means comfortable procedures and predictable results. A winning formula, you’ll find that contemporary dental care with Deschutes River Dentistry leave you smiling.
To assist the dentist in identifying dental problems that are not visible during a clinical exam, digital x-rays are taken annually. In addition, we offer a 3-D digital x-ray to diagnose jaw problems, maxillary sinus issues, and root infections. This is taken approximately every 3-5 years.
Many patients have questions and concerns about the type and amount of radiation in a dental office. For additional information, please visit ada.org or mouthhealthy.org.
Intra-oral camera
A picture explains what words never can, especially when it comes to your teeth. Miniature LED cameras bring the details of our mouths to life in full color.
Digital X-ray
Digital films with exquisite detail and dramatically reduced radiation exposure offer the ultimate in safety and diagnostic capability. Digital sensors capture detailed x-ray images with a fraction of the traditional exposure. Technological advancements in x-ray technology provide multiple benefits, from safety to improved treatment outcomes.
Benefits:
- Safety – Although traditional dental films require minimal radiation for image development, our digital x-ray system provides unsurpassed safety: up to 90% reduction compared to most older film-based systems.
- Time Savings – Images captured instantly with a digital sensor lessen the time you spend in the dental chair.
- Better Outcomes – Improved image clarity increases Drs. Edwards and Contreras ability to diagnose and treat conditions. Software tools bring detailed magnification and detection tools into focus.
Hard Tissue Laser
Laser energy used to treat tooth problems offers several advantages over the dental handpiece. While lasers can’t perform every task, many opportunities for pain-free treatment make lasers an integral part of modern dentistry.
Hard tissue lasers elevate dental treatment to a new level. Teeth contain water, and laser energy contacting a tooth excites the water molecules to help gently trim away tooth structure. Often a continuous stream of water produced with the laser keeps the tooth cool, virtually eliminating sensation. And the quiet operation of the laser handpiece offers a pleasant respite from the sound of a dental drill.
A hard tissue laser’s highly precise operation allows less of your tooth to be removed to access an area damaged by a cavity. And without the vibration of a conventional metal drill, fewer stress cracks develop in the crystal structure of the tooth. Your tooth remains stronger with less filling material needed to return it to full function. Better yet, no anesthetic is needed for many procedures involving the small laser handpiece!
Since teeth rarely need numbing before laser treatment, multiple cavities can often be restored in one visit. Instead of worrying about numb lips and return visits, laser dentistry streamlines your care and keeps your lifestyle on track. Adults and children both benefit from treatment that leaves their mouths feeling perfectly normal right after treatment!
The benefits of laser treatment extend well beyond cavities, providing a valuable method for treating gum disease root canals, and some problems around implants. Many other surgical treatments can be simplified, often eliminating the need for stitches or long healing periods. We look forward to introducing you to the comfortable, convenient and precise possibilities of hard tissue laser treatment atDeschutes River Dentistry!
Cone Beam/3D X-Ray
The complex structures of your jaw region can be difficult to decipher on flat, single dimension x-rays. But advanced 3D imaging brings an unprecedented ability to understand the conditions of your mouth like never before. This technology allows us to create virtually unlimited views of your teeth, face, and neck with just one scan. We’re able to obtain high-quality, detailed information to diagnose and plan your treatment needs. We can evaluate your teeth and facial structures from literally every angle, in 3D, and in color! Routine x-rays, on the other hand, produce a single flat image with limited information.
The ConeBeam CT imaging system is a digital x-ray scanner that rotates once around your head while you stand or simply sit in a chair. The process is quick, simple, and completely painless. The scans produced are as precise as conventional CT (CAT) scans, but use far less radiation. The applications in dentistry are limitless. We use these scans to provide the best treatment in dental implants, root canals, diagnosis of dental and facial pain, etc.
Regardless of your needs, 3D imaging makes it possible to plan and customize your care unlike never before. You can have absolute confidence and satisfaction in the treatment you receive, knowing we’ve analyzed every problem with 3D technology.
Soft Tissue Laser
When the soft tissue lining your mouth needs small corrections, lasers provide a gentle solution. Quiet but powerful light energy helps us solve numerous problems in a simple, quiet way. Shorter procedures, less discomfort, and rapid healing comprise just a few of the benefits offered by modern lasers.
The soft tissues of the mouth cover about 30 square inches of surface area, and sometimes require treatment. Annoying lumps or bumps may need removal with unusual patches of tissues submitted for further microscopic analysis. Traditionally, a surgical procedure involving incisions and sutures would be required to produce an acceptable remedy for these situations. Today, a pen-shaped wand allowsto remove gently suspicious or bothersome bumps within a couple of minutes. The healing stimulated by laser energy leads to rapid resolution and little to no discomfort, without the need for stitches.
Similarly, gums can be quickly reshaped without bleeding for ultimate appearance and health, and some gum infections treated with rapid resolution afterwards. Even cold sores or mouth ulcers can undergo faster healing when laser energy passes over the surface. Better yet, the days of pain associated with these recurring ulcers can be dramatically decreased immediately. Lasers may also be used with children to help growth and development issues or help wisdom teeth move into place. A soft tissue laser offers a valuable benefit to many commonly treated conditions in the mouth. Drs. Edwards and Lasley’s specific training in laser protocols opens up numerous possibilities using one of modern dentistry’s most versatile tools.
itero scanner
The restorations and appliances used to restore and protect your mouth involve high levels of customization.Traditionally, hours of hand labor in a dental laboratory are invested in these precise products.With the adoption of more technology into dentistry, digital imaging continues to grow in importance.
Most restorations begin with a mold of your mouth that involves messy impression materials. With the Itero Digital Scanner, you can say goodbye to the mess. Itero eliminates this step, replacing it with simple digital images captured with a handheld wand.The images quickly appear on a computer monitor as 3-D models of your teeth.Drs. Edwards and Lasley review the enlarged detailed images, ensuring that the information meets the Deschutes River Dentistry standard.
With a simple click of the mouse, the files are instantly transferred via the internet to begin the process of designing your restoration or other prescribed treatment. Reduced shipping time expedites the return of your case to our office while ensuring you receive all the advantages of digital impressions:
- NO messy impressions
- INSTANT images for review
- DETAILED reproduction for better outcomes
- FASTER case completion
- EXCEPTIONAL fitting restorations and appliances
We look forward to introducing you to the innovation of modern dentistry. Itero provides one more reason to discover a different kind of dental experience at Deschutes River Dentistry.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you want the very best in professional dental care call (360) 786-9354 and schedule your appointment today!