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Oral Exams and Cleanings

During routine oral exams here at Spring Lake Dental Care, we utilize some of the latest technology to provide patients with a thorough evaluation that is as comfortable and convenient as possible. Below, you will find descriptions of some of the advanced treatments and techniques used by our experienced dental team to help us get a precise look at your teeth and gums and improve your oral health:

Professional Dental Cleanings

Spring Lake Dental Care provides professional dental cleanings that are often performed along with a regular oral exam. Our dental cleanings are designed to address plaque and tartar build-up that is too challenging to remove with daily brushing and flossing. Dental cleanings with a general oral exam will likely last between 30 minutes and an hour, provided that no other treatment is required. One of our experienced dental hygienists will evaluate your teeth and gums and carefully clean your teeth, including hard-to-reach areas where bacteria often collects. Finishing touches usually involve applying a dental paste to your enamel for protection and a final polish.

Intraoral Camera

The intraoral camera is a revolutionary diagnostic dental tool that allows our dentists to more easily identify problem areas in the mouth. During the exam with the intraoral camera, the tiny device is placed inside of your mouth and pictures are taken of the teeth. These digital images are then displayed on a computer screen in the room so that you and your dentist can discuss any problems and possible solutions.

Intraoral Scanner

We utilize two different Intraoral Scanners at our office to create 3-Dimensional digital impressions without the need for messy, uncomfortable putties. Using the small, handheld device of either the 3Shape TRIOS® or the iTero digital scanners,  our dental team can scan your oral structures and create a highly precise image of your teeth and gums right down to the smallest detail. Then, one of our dentists can view the image with you on a computer screen and talk with you about any problems and explain the best treatment options. This high-definition digital impression can be used to create customized restorations designed to provide the best possible fit and most natural-looking appearance. The scanning process is relatively quick and it involves no needles – it’s just a very high-tech way of taking intricate and detailed pictures of your teeth and gums!

DIAGNOdent®

DiagnodentSpring Lake Dental is proud to feature the revolutionary DIAGNOdent® system, the latest, most precise tool for detecting tooth decay in its earliest stages. While traditional means of decay detection have proven to be only 50 to 60 percent effective, DIAGNOdent® has an efficacy rate of over 90 percent. Developed by a team of dentists and scientists in Switzerland, Scotland, and Germany, this groundbreaking technology enables our dental team to identify and treat tooth decay years earlier than traditional methods.

Safe and highly effective, DIAGNOdent® uses a laser beam to detect changes in tooth structure by measuring reflective energy within the teeth. These readings are then compared to readings of healthy teeth, allowing our dentist to pinpoint even minute areas of decay. As a result of early cavity detection, DIAGNOdent® allows patients to preserve their natural teeth while eliminating the need for repeat exposure to x-rays. DIAGNOdent® is also useful for detecting disease beneath dental restorations such as bridges and crowns.

Cavities can hide in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, which traditional methods of detection simply cannot access. DIAGNOdent®’s groundbreaking technology helps support our mission of preventing dental problems before they occur.