Technological advances in dentistry have vastly improved the way we experience dental care. With the help of new tools and techniques, a gentle dentist can make your dental appointments comfortable, while also improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Pathak and our team at Magic Smiles have a passion for clinical accuracy and gentle dentistry. From the moment you enter our office in Coffs Harbor, you will feel welcomed and relaxed. We study new treatments and technology, then bring our patients what we consider to be the best of the best! With comprehensive, patient-centered care, we will introduce you to new and improved, gentle dental care.
We currently use the following dental technology and techniques to provide excellent, modern dental care to our patients.
Medit i500 Intraoral Scanner
Dental impressions provide dentists with a mold of your teeth used for creating accurate restorations, bite appliances, and prosthetics. Dr. Pathak utilizes the Medit i500 intraoral scanner in the place of traditional messy, unpleasant-tasting dental impressions.
During your examination, he will pass the Medit i500 wand over your teeth and gums.
High-quality images captured by our intraoral scanner help the dentist detect early stages of tooth decay, cracks, and other issues that left untreated would cause pain and interfere with oral function.
Digital impressions help us create personalized treatments that may include one or more of the following:
- Dentures
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Bridges
- Whitening Trays
- Custom Oral Appliances (Night Guards/Sports Guards)
- Dental Models of Your Teeth
Orthopantomogram (OPG)
That’s a mouthful! For diagnostic and treatment of dental issues, the orthopantomography x-ray offers a panoramic, detailed picture of your teeth.
During your examination, the dentist will rotate the orthopantomogram around your head as you sit still. The OPG takes an x-ray in about 20 seconds. Detailed panoramic mages help the dentist determine your jawbone density, find bone fractures, and diagnose other dental issues.
Digital X-Ray Technology
To lower your exposure to radiation or other metals and chemicals, Dr. Pathak employs digital x-ray technology. These x-rays are noninvasive and provide immediate results. Best of all, they are the kind of tool a gentle dentist loves to share with his patients! Digital x-rays require only a fraction of radiation that’s normally emitted for x-rays.
VELscope Advanced Oral Cancer Screenings
The VELscope is a handheld, wireless scope that emits a special wavelength against soft oral tissues. Bounceback data provides important information about what lies beneath the surface. During your scan, Dr. Pathak will identify potentially cancerous abnormalities that are not yet visible in your mouth.
Through early oral cancer detection and treatment, patients have a great chance of a successful outcome of 80% survival rate at five years. Compare this to the mere 30-50% five-year survival rate of cancers found in later stages. If you regularly use tobacco products or have a family history of cancer, contact our team for a cancer screening today.
Soft-Tissue Dental Lasers
With the use of soft-tissue dental lasers, a gentle dentist can provide precise, minimally invasive, comfortable care.
Some of the benefits of using a soft-tissue dental laser include:
- No scalpel
- No stitches
- Fast recovery
- Little or no bleeding
- Reduced trauma to your gums
- Used in cosmetic and restorative procedures
Sedation Options in Gentle Dentistry
A truly gentle dentist will provide comforting, encouraging care. To go beyond this, Dr. Pathak and our team employ comfort-enhancing dental tools. However, if you are concerned about your comfort during dental visits, ask about our three options for sedation dentistry.
Nitrous Oxide:
For mild anxiety or minor treatments, we administer nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is inhaled through a comfortable face mask.
Our dental team will carefully monitor the amount of gas you receive. We can also adjust the dosage to alter the effects as needed. With laughing gas, you can return to life: drive, work, play as usual, right after your appointment.
Penthrox:
Much like nitrous oxide, Penthrox is a colorless, odorless gas (methoxyflurane) with fast-acting anesthetic results. Methoxyflurane offers analgesic results without creating deep sedation.
Oral Sedation
If you have severe dental anxiety, you may need stronger sedation. In this case, our gentle dentist will prescribe an anti-anxiety medication. These medications will help you relax, mentally and physically. You may even fall asleep. If you choose oral sedation, you’ll need a driver to and from your appointment, and plan to rest the remainder of the day.
Get the treatment you deserve with a visit to your gentle dentist.
With the use of new dental technology, Dr. Pathak will have you looking forward to your dental appointments. The team at our Coffs Harbor dental office will make sure you remain comfortable throughout each and every visit. Contact us online or call us today at 02-6652-3242.
