CAD/CAM

Dentists can create customized fittings of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and other dental restorations using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Through the CAD/CAM technology, your dentist can provide you with the most precise restorations possible.

By using CAD/CAM, your dentist is able to create durable, well-fitting, individual or multiple-tooth restorations. CAD/CAM technology also delivers advantages when it comes to office visits. Traditional tooth restorations may take several days and multiple office visits, but with CAD/CAM technology, we are able to perform single-visit tooth restorations! In just one visit you can have a beautiful, healthy smile.

To learn more about CAD/CAM technology and how it can benefit you, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment with your dentist.

CARIVU

Our DEXIS digital X-ray sensor, intraoral camera and CariVu are ultimate companion tools for cavity detection.

When we identify a suspicious area on a radiograph — especially possible decay in between the teeth, which can be more difficult to detect — our “second opinion” can be a trans-illuminated image that reveals to us the extent of the condition and helps us determine whether it needs monitoring over time or requires immediate treatment.

Since transillumination can show lesions in the beginning stages, using CariVu during routine teeth cleanings aids our team in identifying questionable areas early on so that we can provide you with the best course of preventive care for your individual and specific needs.

When used together, a radiograph, a transilluminated image and an intra-oral photo provide a comprehensive picture of the health of your teeth.

PRECISION DENTISTRY

When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Montoya and staff utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care.

Our practice uses high power microscopes to enhance the precision of patient care.

Dentistry is micro-surgery. Using a microscope that is similar to the one an ophthalmologist uses enables us to create dental restorations with incredibly precise fit and finish. You just can’t fulfill that level of care with the naked eye.

In addition to allowing precise, close-up work, the microscope directs a beam of light directly on the teeth, minimizing glare for you.

Many dentists use air-driven “hand-pieces” (the dental term for “drills”). While acceptable for many procedures, these “whiney sounding” air-powered hand pieces all have a degree of non-concentricity; they do not rotate perfectly smoothly.

For the most precise aspects of restorative procedures, we use electric hand-pieces. This results in extraordinarily precise interfaces between your tooth and your new restoration (dental crown, tooth veneer, or tooth filling). This will bring more comfort to you as well. With a more precise tool, there is less vibration and less noise.

DIGITAL IMAGING

Dr. Montoya chooses carefully which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. 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 level for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Montoya utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure level is significantly less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital imaging helps us retrieve valuable diagnostic information. Digital X-rays offer more precision since we view the image on a computer monitor, instead of holding a 35mm film up to the light. Using digital x-rays results in 1/6th the radiation exposure to you and allows us to see cavities, bone levels and bone health, calculus below the gum line, and even cancerous lesions at times.  By utilizing digital imaging technology we are able to provide you with much more comprehensive care.

LASER DENTISTRY

For patients who do not look forward to needles, drilling, or numbness, Laser Dentistry may be the right choice.

Laser dentistry is one of dentistry’s latest advances. The laser delivers energy in the form of light. Depending on the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target.” In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Laser dentistry can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures. Oftentimes no local anesthesia is required. Unlike with the dental drill, with laser dentistry there is no heat or vibration, making the procedure quite comfortable for most patients. For soft tissue (surgical) procedures it eliminates the need for suturing and healing is much faster.

Lasers can 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.

Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:

• Cavity diagnosis and removal
• Curing, or hardening, bonding materials
• Whitening teeth
• Periodontal, or gum related, care
• Pediatric procedures
• Apthous Ulcer treatment (canker sore)
• Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
• Root canals and apicoectomies
• Crown lengthening, gingivectomy and other gum corrections

Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating both children and adults.

INTRAORAL CAMERA

Dr. Montoya 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 your digital file, providing a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and dental labs or insurance companies.