Tag

dental check ups Archives - Magic Smiles Dental

Feb 13
Love0
Gentle dentist explains x-ray with new technology.

Gentle Dentist Explains the Benefits of New Technology

By Dental checkups No Comments

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.

Feb 06
Love0
Woman smiles before a visit with her Woolgoolga dentist.

7 Things Your Woolgoolga Dentist Wants You to Know

By Woolgoogla and Coffs Harbour Dentist No Comments

Who doesn’t want a beautiful and healthy smile? Your Woolgoolga dentist at Magic Smiles can help make that dream come true. In our office, patients feel completely comfortable asking questions and discussing concerns. Dr. Pathak and our dental team believe personal relationships are the foundation for communication, which is essential to effective dental care. 

Whether your next appointment is today or six months away, start practicing these 7 tasks to prepare for earning an A+ dental report.. 

1) Be sure to drink enough water each day. 

Regularly drinking water helps maintain good oral and physical health. The amount of water each person needs to stay hydrated varies. The Mayo Clinic suggests women drink 2.7 liters of water a day and men drink 3.7 liters.  Staying hydrated will help:

  • Prevent Dry Mouth
  • Flush out Bad Bacteria
  • Deter Bad Breath
  • Strengthen Teeth Through Fluoride in the Water 
  • Flush away Pieces of Food
  • Prevent Tooth Decay

2) Bleeding gums require treatment.

If your gums are sensitive or bleeding when you brush, we need to see you in our office as soon as possible. Gingivitis treatments are highly successful with early detection. If you don’t seek treatment for your bleeding gums, you could end up needing expensive and time-consuming procedures. 

3) Don’t dismiss a toothache as no big deal.

Anytime you experience discomfort in your teeth, contact your trusted Woolgoolga dentist, Dr. Pathak.

A toothache could signify that your tooth has developed a chip, crack, or cavity. These dental issues usually require minimal treatment when identified and addressed in the early stages. Contact our team, and we work you into our schedule as soon as possible. Early treatment of a toothache could save your tooth. 

4) Never skip appointments with your Woolgoolga dentist.

Routine dental appointments allow our dental team an opportunity to maintain your dental health by finding and treating concerns early, rather than after they advance into serious issues. Without regular cleanings, dental examinations, and dental treatments, your oral and overall health can suffer.

Visit Dr, Pathak, your Woolgoolga dentist, at least twice a year, even if you have no pending dental concerns. Some oral health concerns, like gingivitis, may present no symptoms in the early stages..  

5) Deal with your dental emergencies right away.

You may think a chipped tooth or a missing filling can wait until your next appointment. See the dentist immediately if you experience a dental emergency, such as:

  • Knocked out Tooth or Teeth
  • Severe Discomfort or Toothache
  • Lost or Damaged Dental Restorations (ex. Fillings, Implants, or Veneers)
  • Swelling of the Mouth or Gums
  • Any Injury to Your Soft Tissues (Deep Cuts to the Cheeks or mouth)
  • Cracked or Damaged Teeth
  • Loose Tooth or Teeth

 

6) Follow good oral hygiene practices at home.

  • Oral hygiene shouldn’t just happen at your dentist’s office. Practice good oral hygiene habits every day. Follow these recommendations by Dr. Pathak, your Woolgoolga dentist, and you’ll lay a foundation for great oral health.Brush your teeth at least twice each day. 
  • Floss after meals and snacks. 
  • Carry dental floss and a travel toothbrush with you whenever possible. 

Always be honest with your dentist about your dental hygiene habits so that he can better serve your dental health needs. 

7) If you wear lipstick, be sure to remove it before your dental appointment. 

Detecting signs of cancer becomes more difficult for the dentist if you wear lipstick during your appointment. What seems like a simple blemish or mole could indicate the early stages of oral cancer. Wipe off your lipstick for a full examination, so you can stay healthy for years to come. 

For answers to your dental health questions, contact Dr. Pathak and our team at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre in Woolgoolga. Our team loves helping patients maintain excellent dental health. Call us today at 02-6654-0650 or contact us online.