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21922 Bellaire Blvd. Richmond, Texas 77407
Dental Services and Technologies
Dental Services and Technologies
Technology is a driving force at our practice. We understand that by keeping up-to-date with the latest dental technology, we not only provide better treatments, but we show our dedication to our profession and our patients. Our technologies allow us to be more precise, provide higher quality results and lessen your time in the treatment chair. We promise to always remain at the forefront of leading dentistry.
Dental Technologies Utilized at MKR Dental Richmond TX
Digital Imaging
We use digital imaging software at our clinic, which allows us to take a digital picture of you and use our imaging system to predict how a particular treatment or cosmetic procedure would change the appearance of your teeth. This software is beneficial for patients who are considering cosmetic procedures but are not sure if they’re ready for dramatic changes. Digital imaging also allows us to document your dental case and procedures very well. We take digital images of your face, teeth and smile to provide us with a permanent dental record and to provide a visual documentation of treatment.
Digital Impressions
Digital impressions are the most up-to-date technology used for taking impressions of the teeth.
There are four major scanner systems that dentists can use: Cadent iTero, 3M ESPE Lava COS, CEREC by Sirona, and E4D by D4D Technologies.
With digital impressions, you no longer have to suffer through uncomfortable traditional impression trays or temporaries. Rather, we simply scan your teeth with our impression technology to create a digital image. We then use this image to produce the restoration of choice, either on-site or through a milling lab. Once the restoration is created, we are able to blend the restoration in with your surrounding teeth, adjust as needed and give it a final polish.
Digital X-Rays
Digital radiography uses an estimated 40-90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Digital x-rays use a digital image capture device in place of traditional film, sending an image immediately to a computer. The result is a highly-detailed image of the mouth, and its contrast and resolution can be enhanced to more easily diagnose dental problems and determine the very best treatment for each case.
This means more safety and better accuracy for you.
Intraoral Camera
Intraoral cameras, cameras about the size of a pen, help dentists see the condition of teeth and gums more clearly. This advanced technology allows us to zoom in on small diseased areas, cracks, chips and worn metal fillings to provide a more detailed view. The full-color images are sent to a computer screen, making it easy to see and diagnose dental problems much earlier than with traditional dental technology. Patients are also able to watch the whole process because the images are displayed on screens in treatment rooms.
Auto Appt. Reminders
Society has made so many advances in communication in recent years—why not utilize that for appointment reminders? As dental offices go digital, reminders can go beyond the written cards or personal phone calls that are prone to human error. Systems are becoming computerized and automated, providing patients timely reminders through email and sometimes text messaging too.
Ask our staff at the front desk about the options we provide so we can set up a reminder system that is most convenient for you.
Cone Beam CT Scan Technology
Dental implants are the most cutting-edge therapy available for the replacement of missing teeth.
In order to provide the highest quality of implant placement results, we use a CBCT Scan — a cutting-edge alternative to the traditional CT scan and an incredible improvement on the traditional x-ray.
This machine takes 3-D and digital panoramic images of your mouth, allowing us to monitoring growth and diagnosing problems, as well as capture a thorough view the entire mouth from every angle. With the CBCT Scanner, implant therapy is more predictable and more precise than ever before.
iTero Cavity Detection System
Digital impressions are the most up-to-date technology used for taking impressions of the teeth. We use the iTero digital scanner in our office.
With digital impressions, you no longer have to suffer through uncomfortable traditional impression trays or temporaries. Rather, we simply scan your teeth with our ITero impression technology to create a digital image. We then use this image to produce the restoration of choice, either on-site or through a milling lab. Once the restoration is created, we are able to blend the restoration in with your surrounding teeth, adjust as needed and give it a final polish.
With iTero technology, we provide the following benefits for our patients:
- Faster diagnosing
- Simulated treatment outcomes
- More accurate treatments
- Fewer injections
- Better patient experience
Laser Dentistry
The lasers we use in laser dentistry at our practice are an alternative to the common hand-held scalpel and other tools.
These lasers direct an invisible energy beam onto problem areas and allow us to efficiently treat problems in the gums.
Soft Tissue Laser
Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue.
The soft tissue laser can also be employed to destroy bacteria in gum pockets, preventing infection and allowing the tissue to return to a healthy state. The soft tissue laser enables the dentist to treat our patients with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches.
Oral Cancer Screening
We have a genuine concern for your overall health and well-being. It’s because of this that we invest in state-of-the-art oral cancer screening technology to ensure your health for life.
Did you know that in the United States, one person dies every hour from oral cancer? Oral cancer has a cure rate of more than 80 percent—if it is detected and treated early. The mortality rates are high because diagnoses come too late. Very few patients are properly screened by their dentists. At our practice, we perform an oral cancer screening with every exam. We utilize an advanced cancer screening technology so that we can detect problems early on. Five minutes could save your health. It could save your life.
Symptoms include:
- Unexplained bleeding
- Numbness, loss of feeling, or pain in sections of the mouth
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Ear pain
- Persistent sore throat
- Development of white, red or speckled patches in the mouth
- Swelling, thickening, lumps, bumps, rough patches and growths
Oral cancer typically affects:
- Front 2/3 of the tongue
- Lining of the cheeks and lips
- Floor of mouth under the tongue
- Roof of the mouth
- Gums
- Small area behind the wisdom teeth
- Minor salivary glands
Although these areas are visible to the doctor during examinations, we need a more thorough look to be able to detect the beginnings of abnormalities.
Oral cancer is typically treated first with surgery and also with the help of oncologists. Each case varies. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please call our office to schedule a screening and consultation.
We hope to catch things before they become a real problem, and we need your help! Be sure to come in for every 6-month checkup for preventive care. Especially in the case of oral cancer, prevention is your best option.
Paperless Charting
Paperless charting means more efficiency and more accuracy. An office that has “gone digital” records x-rays and charting with the aid of the computer and keeps all patients’ dental records electronically. Additionally, it cuts back on paper use. With traditional paper charting, information can be lost in translation from doctor to hygienist to assistant. Even handwriting differences and coding make the charts look different. The computer eliminates this problem by standardizing charting methods, making it easy to understand dental charts, view up-to-date information and keep records accurately. When needed, this method also allows dental offices to more easily share information with other healthcare providers.
Panoramic X-rays
A panoramic x-ray provides a very broad view of teeth, jaws, sinuses, jaw joints and nasal areas. They are not designed to find cavities like other x-rays. Rather, they reveal problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities and fractures, infections, and cysts or tumors. Because of this, they are a staple technology in any oral or maxillofacial practice. Panoramic x-rays provide an accurate and trusted diagnosis so that the most viable treatment plans can be executed.
Ultrasonic Scaler
Our dental clinic in Richmond TX is equipped with ultrasonic tooth cleaning technology to accompany scaling and root planing. This equipment is simply a scaler with a special tip that vibrates at a high rate and flushes out bacteria below the gum with water. As the tip glides over the tooth surface it is much more effective at removing hard buildup and calcium deposits than hand scaling alone. It will smooth out bumps and divots in the surface to prevent buildup. Surface stains can also be lifted during the process leaving your teeth whiter than before.
Patient Education
You deserve to be in the loop when it comes to your dental care.
There are a variety of computer programs available to help patients better understand conditions, procedures and treatment options. Our office invests in patient education software because we want you to feel confident in every dental decision you make. This investment helps us clearly communicate—and it helps you learn more.
Electronic Handpieces
The advantage of the electric handpieces is that they cut teeth very efficiently and smoothly with much less vibration. This leads to much less trauma to the pulp, more comfort for patients, and a shorter time in the treatment chair. With less trauma to the pulp, the teeth are less likely to die; therefore, the risk for root canal treatment is greatly reduced.
Electronic Apex Locator
An apex locator is an electronic device used during a root canal treatment that helps determine the length of a root canal. The device works by using a pair of electrodes to measure the apex of the root, which has a specific resistant to electrical current. By using an apex locator, we are able to provide a more accurate diagnosis and, therefore, more accurate treatment.
3D Imaging
3D imaging is an incredible improvement on the traditional x-ray. First and foremost, it dramatically decreases the amount of patient exposure to radiation. As its name implies, 3D imaging also provides more accuracy and efficiency in monitoring growth and detecting dental problems. The digital images capture the entire mouth and jaw from every angle. Popular 3D imaging systems include iCAT, CRANEX and GALILEOS.
Feel free to ask us any questions about our imaging systems during your visit.
What Our Clients Say
Hear from our happy patients about their experiences with MKR Dental in Richmond TX, where our personalized care and exceptional service make every visit a reason to smile!