The Latest Techniques in Dental Cleaning: What’s New?

Dental cleanings have come a long way, thanks to new technology that makes treatments faster, more comfortable, and more effective than ever. Whether it’s cutting-edge diagnostic tools or quieter, more efficient equipment, dental care is now more personalized and patient-friendly. Let’s explore some of the latest techniques used to make your dental cleaning more effective and tailored to your specific needs.

1. Ultrasonic Cleaning

One of the most significant advancements in dental hygiene is ultrasonic cleaning. This technique uses high-frequency sound waves to break up stubborn plaque and tartar. It’s faster, more comfortable, and more efficient than traditional hand scaling. Ultrasonic scalers are gentle on the teeth and gums, and they can even clean below the gumline, helping to prevent gum disease and other issues before they become major problems.

2. Cone Beam Scanner 3D Imaging

Another game-changer in diagnostics is 3D imaging. The Cone Beam Scanner provides highly detailed images of your teeth and jaw, offering more clarity than traditional X-rays. Not only is it less invasive, but it also emits less radiation. This advanced imaging allows your dentist to spot any underlying issues early and plan the most effective treatments.

3. Digital X-Rays

Traditional film X-rays are now a thing of the past. Digital X-rays provide instant images with less radiation exposure and more clarity. These high-definition images can be viewed on a computer screen, making it easier for both you and your dentist to understand your oral health. Plus, digital X-rays are more eco-friendly, eliminating the need for chemicals and film.

4. iTero 5D 3D Digital Impressions

Remember the days of messy, goopy impressions? Say goodbye to that! The iTero 5D scanner takes digital impressions of your teeth quickly and comfortably. These 3D images are more accurate than traditional molds, which helps your dentist create precise treatment plans and reduces the number of visits needed.

5. Personalized Cleanings: Not One-Size-Fits-All

Dental cleanings are no longer a one-size-fits-all procedure. Depending on your oral health, you might receive one of three types of cleaning:

Routine Cleaning: Targets plaque and tartar above the gumline and is perfect for those with healthy gums and teeth.
Gingivitis Cleaning: Focuses on early gum disease, helping reverse it by cleaning around the gumline to reduce inflammation.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing): Goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and plaque in patients with more severe gum disease, helping to protect the roots of your teeth.

Each cleaning is personalized to meet your specific needs, ensuring you get the care that’s best for your smile.

6. Digital Caries Detection

Digital caries detection is another exciting innovation. This technology uses UV light to detect early-stage cavities that are invisible to the naked eye. By catching cavities early, your dentist can treat them with minimally invasive procedures, preventing the need for more extensive work down the road.

7. Ultra Quiet Electric Handpieces

Dental drills have always been a source of anxiety for many patients, but ultra-quiet electric handpieces are changing that. These advanced tools significantly reduce noise and vibration, making procedures like polishing or filling cavities more comfortable and less stressful.

8. Digital Intraoral Cameras

Digital intraoral cameras allow both you and your dentist to get a clear view of your teeth and gums. These tiny cameras take high-quality images inside your mouth, which can be displayed on a screen in real-time. This technology makes it easier for your dentist to show you areas of concern and explain your treatment options.

9. Oral Cancer Screenings

As part of your dental cleaning, oral cancer screenings are an important preventative measure. Using advanced tools, your dentist can check for any signs of abnormalities or early signs of cancer. Early detection is crucial, and this quick, non-invasive screening can make all the difference in catching issues before they become serious.

10. Wi-Fi and Comfort Features

Your comfort is a top priority. At North Richland Hills Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, you can enjoy noise-canceling headphones, digital flat-screen monitors, and even free Wi-Fi during your visit. Whether you want to watch your favorite show or simply relax with music, these little touches make your appointment more enjoyable and stress-free.

Personalized Dental Cleanings at North Richland Hills Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

At North Richland Hills Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in North Richland Hills, TX, we’re proud to offer the latest technology to make your dental cleanings as effective and comfortable as possible. From ultrasonic cleaning to 3D imaging, Dr. Sonal Desai and the team are committed to keeping your smile healthy with the most advanced tools and techniques. Schedule your next cleaning today and experience the difference modern dental care can make!

3 Brushing Techniques!

Brushing your teeth twice a day is an effective way to prevent decay or other unwanted dental developments. But are you brushing your teeth properly? Continue reading to review three brushing techniques that can benefit your teeth!

1. Bass or Sulcular Technique

The Bass technique uses toothbrush bristles to scrub off plaque near the gums. When performing this brushing technique, you’ll hold the toothbrush parallel to your teeth then tilt it at an angle to let the bristles reach slightly under the gumline. Firmly but gently brush in circular motions roughly 20 times before moving to the next section. Repeat this motion around the mouth until the entire mouth is complete. Then vertically turn the toothbrush to reach behind the front teeth, back molars, and tongue surface.

2. Stillman Technique

Similar to the Bass technique, you will angle the toothbrush towards the gum line. However, the bristles will be half on the gums and half on the tooth surface to perform short horizontal strokes to remove plaque from the gum line.

3. Charter Technique

The Charter brushing method is ideal for patients with spaces between their teeth, prostheses, or orthodontic appliances like braces. The brush’s bristles will still be at an angle, but the tip will be pointing towards the opposite end of the tooth, unlike the other brushing techniques, which point towards the gum line. Gently but firmly brush the area using circular strokes and move around each section of the mouth, including the tongue, to complete the Charter brushing technique.

Dental Care in North Richland Hills, Texas

Whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush, brushing daily with one of these techniques can help contribute to the success of your oral health. If you have concerns or aren’t happy with your oral health, contact our North Richland Hills Dentistry team. We provide comprehensive dental care for our patients so they can achieve healthy and bright smiles!

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Everything You Need To Know About Dental Fillings

If you get a cavity, a dental filling is the most common fix. What are fillings made from? Does the process hurt? Here’s everything you need to know.

What Are Fillings?

Dentists use materials like porcelain, composite resins, and even gold to make fillings. The material acts as a patch that fills in a dental cavity. Fillings prevent further decay, treat any pain, and strengthen your tooth. At North Richland Hills Dentistry we offer tooth-colored composite fillings. We like this restorative option because composite fillings are strong and they blend in with the rest of your smile.

What’s It Like To Get a Filling?

Once we’ve determined that you need a filling, we'll numb the area. Next, we'll remove the decay from your tooth. This keeps bacteria from spreading. The final step replaces the part of your tooth destroyed by decay with the composite filling. Most of the time, we can complete a filling in about an hour. If you have several cavities that need fillings, we might need more than one appointment. You won’t feel pain during the procedure, but your teeth might feel slightly sensitive for a short time afterward.

How Do You Care for a Filling?

Fillings don’t require any special care. Continue brushing, flossing, and coming in for regular cleanings and exams with Dr. Desai. Fillings can break down or crack, so you might need to replace yours at some point. Most fillings last for years before replacement is necessary. Prevent lost fillings and cracked teeth by avoiding hard or super chewy foods that can damage your teeth. If a filling falls out or breaks, it’s considered a dental emergency, so please give us a call!

Dental Fillings at North Richland Hills Dentistry in TX

Every cavity is different, so we’ll always assess the specific situation and discuss your options. We use dental fillings regularly, so we’re happy to answer any questions you might have. Regular preventive care exams allow us to detect cavities early while they're still small. Please contact us today if you want to learn more or if you want to book an appointment!

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Why Dental Cleanings & Exams Are Important

Life gets busy, so it’s easy to forget things like scheduling a dentist’s appointment every six months. If you don’t have any major oral health problems, you may wonder if it is still important to come in for a regular cleaning and exam. The answer is, "Yes it is!" and here are three main reasons.

Cleanings & Exams Prevent Tooth Decay

Cavities are a very common problem. To prevent them, you do most of the work at home by brushing and flossing every morning and evening. However, professional cleanings and exams are necessary, too. With special tools, we remove hardened plaque (known as tartar) from your teeth, which is something you can’t do at home. We also identify teeth that are at a higher risk of decay, so you can improve your brushing/flossing and prevent a cavity from forming.

We Diagnose Gum Disease

Many people get gum disease at some point in their lives. In its early stage when it is known as gingivitis you might not experience symptoms. When you keep up with regular check-ups, we diagnose and reverse gum disease before it starts bothering you. Most of the time, all you need to do is improve your oral hygiene at home. If the gum disease is more advanced, a deep cleaning gets your oral health back on track.

Cleanings & Exams Catch Other Problems, Too

Cavities and gum disease aren’t the only issues a dentist can identify. During every exam, we always check for signs of oral cancer. That includes things like swelling, mouth sores that won’t heal, lumps, and red or white patches. If we find anything unusual, we’ll let you know what we recommend next.

Preventive Dentistry at North Richland Hills Dentistry

Keeping up with cleanings and exams is an essential part of good health. Our goal is to keep your smile healthy by preventing stressful and more expensive oral health problems. Even if you have great habits at home, we recommend visits to our office every six months. Have questions or want to schedule a cleaning and exam with Dr. Desai and our team? Please contact us today.

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