Advanced Technology
Precision Dentistry
When you seek care at our office, you can be assured that Dr. Zabel and her staff utilize the latest in technology, enhancing the quality of your dental care.
Our practice uses high power microscopes to enhance the precision of patient care.
In addition to allowing precise, close-up work, the microscope directs a beam of light directly on the teeth, minimizing glare for you.
In addition to general air-driven hand-pieces, Dr. Zabel also uses electric hand-pieces. This results in extraordinarily precise interfaces between your tooth and your new restoration (i.e. dental crown, tooth veneer, or tooth filling).
Please note that Dr. Zabel only uses warm, sterilized water during her procedures.
Digital Imaging
Dr. Zabel chooses which radiographs to take, as well as when the radiographs should be taken. We follow many guidelines. Radiographs allow us to see things that the eye misses. Radiographs enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs.
Dental radiographs are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Zabel utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure time is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital imaging can also help us retrieve valuable diagnostic information. We may be able to see cavities better.
Digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.
Digital X-Rays:
Digital X-rays offer more precision since we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding up a 35mm film up to the light. Digital X-rays results in 1/6th the radiation exposure to you.
Laser Dentistry
Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:
- Cavity diagnosis and removal
- Periodontal, or gum related, care
- Apthous Ulcer treatment (canker sore)
- Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
- Crown lengthening, gingivectomy and other gum corrections
Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating both children and adults.
For soft tissue (surgical) procedures, lasers eliminate the need for suturing and healing is much faster.
Lasers can also be used to diagnose cavities. They can find hidden decay in teeth in early stages, and in some cases the decay can be reversed through hygiene and fluoride treatment and may never need filling.
Intraoral Camera
Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing.
Dr. Zabel utilizes Intraoral Camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An Intraoral Camera is a very small camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. An Intraoral Camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you!
Intraoral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.