Monthly Archives: January 2018

dental equipment

The Development of Dental Radiography

Dental radiography has evolved from film and chemical developers into a highly technical process that involves various types of digital x-ray machines, as well as powerful dental software programs to assist the dentist with image acquisition and diagnostic analysis of the acquired images.

“What is the main type of treatment that I provide my patients?” If you are a general practitioner, a standard 2D panorex will provide all of the imaging requirements needed for such treatments as caries detection, diagnosis of TMJ issues, OPG images, and images of the patients entire detention in a single x-ray. Many of the newer 2D panoramic units also offer extraoral bitewing imaging capability, which allows the dentist to obtain a bitewing image without putting a sensor or periapical film inside of the patient’s mouth.

Your dental X-rays allow your dentist to see the condition of prior dental procedures, such as fillings, crowns, root canals, and bridges. And, too, your dentist will be able to look for possible bone loss as a result of periodontal gum disease and find hidden tartar build up. In addition to diagnostics, your dentist may choose to perform dental X-rays in order to check for bone density as part of preparing you for dental implants, which require an adequate density in order to support the implants.

Electromagnetic radiation has been used in the medical profession for imaging and diagnostics for many years. X-radiation technology, known more simply as X-ray technology, allows accurate images to be captured of a person, animal, or thing’s internal composition. A generator uses strong electromagnetic light paired with a detector; most things, humans included, will naturally absorb some of the light, which is what allows the detector to map out images and specific locations.

Most of the earliest X-rays depended on photographic films to capture the images and make them readable. Digital detectors skip this step; rather than using light beamed through objects onto film, it allows for digital scanning and image interpretation. In terms of radiation the two are about the same initially, though digital versions typically have a shorter exposure time and as such tend to be more efficient.

Digital radiographs are becoming a popular form of dental x-ray machines. They use an electronic pad or sensor instead of a piece of x-ray film. This kind of dental x-ray machine transmits images directly to a computer. The images can be stored, printed, and compared using software to decide whether any changes have occurred over time. A technician can view two different images or multiple images on a single screen view. Digital systems even make it possible to catch dental problems sooner than with other methods and types of dental x-ray machine.

Intraoral Camera

The Use of Dental Intraoral Camera

Sometimes it is difficult for patients to fully understand the condition of their teeth in the same way the dentist does – using an intraoral camera is a state of the art dental technical device that really helps you see for yourself exactly what is happening in your mouth.

An intraoral camera is a camera which is designed to be used in the mouth for the purpose of taking video or still photography. These cameras are most commonly used in dental offices, although patients can also use them at home to monitor dental health or to satisfy curiosity about what the inside of the mouth looks like. Several firms specialize in producing intraoral cameras and accessories, and others make adapters which can be used with conventional cameras so that they can be used in the mouth.

The intraoral camera enlarges the inside of the teeth to more than 40 times their actual size on a full color screen display. By zooming in on problem areas in affecting the teeth, dentists are capable of seeing much more than they could with the human eye alone. Often, dentists find the beginnings of periodontal disease or tooth decay that would have otherwise gone undetected if examined without the intraoral camera.

The intraoral camera is not just a diagnostic tool, but it also serves as an educational one too. In the past, dentists have struggled to explain dental decay and other health problems to patients. Most people cannot see well into their own mouths, which leaves dentists to drawing diagrams or using props to attempt to explain what is going on in the mouth of their patients.

Each feature that benefits the dentist also benefits the patient—maybe even more. Your dentist understands symptoms and conditions thoroughly, but it’s often difficult to explain precisely what is happening in a patient’s mouth using just a mouth mirror, which is small and hard to see, or an x-ray image by dental x-ray machine, which takes time to print and doesn’t display images clearly.

When your dentist uses an intraoral camera during your examination, however, you’re seeing exactly what he or she sees right then. Dentists can display clear, colorful images, allowing them to point out any issues and discuss them with you immediately. You’ll certainly learn a lot about your mouth! And the more you see and understand, the more confident you can be when making treatment decisions.

Dental Compressor

The Improve of Dental Vacuum Systems

Whenever operating a dental air compressor or any other noisy equipment — lawnmowers, food blenders, vacuums, etc. — it’s wise to wear earplugs to protect your hearing. Even though you might feel as though your ears are tough enough to bear the volume, ears are like eyes. In the same way that vision diminishes somewhat over the course of life, so too does hearing. As with eyesight, the weakening of the ear drum can be accelerated through constant abuse.

The dentist with a wet vacuum system is hit with a double water bill, once on the way in, and again on the way out. Since, a dry vacuum system does not require the water that wet systems do, there is a very positive financial impact (in addition to the environmental one) in switching to the newer technology when the old system needs to be replaced.

The recent introduction of various dry vacuum systems eliminates these concerns and provides excellent clinical vacuuming power. The concerns of retro-fitting a new unit center on practicality and cost. The replacement dry system should be no larger than the existing wet one, and should preferably provide more suction capacity for the practice. Other parameters include reduction of noise and the drainage requirements; most wet system traps must be drained on a regular basis, a task usually allotted (due to its popularity) to the staff member with the least seniority.

Both systems work well for dentistry. However, a new wet vac creates up to 15″ Hg suction pressure while a new dry vac (some but not all) creates up to 25″ Hg. This provides the power and performance that the dentist expects from the vacuum system. This is probably the single most important factor to consider when selecting a new vacuum and should be carefully researched. (Some dry vacs produce only 8″ Hg suction pressure.)

Many of the currently available dry vacs utilize oil in their motors( micro motor ) for lubrication and cooling, much like a car. The “oil” dry vacs therefore exhaust oil vapors which pollute their immediate environment. The also require regular oil maintenance. The newer dental dry vacs can create powerful vacuum without using oil. Carbon fiber vanes eliminate the need for oil in the process. There are no oil levels to check, no oil to add, no oil to change, and most importantly, no oil in the exhaust that can be harmful to people and animals, and can cause severe damage to a roof or building exterior.

Some “dry” vacuum systems offer a unique air-water separator. There is a compact plastic air-water separator that collects liquids and drains them efficiently into a small 20 gallon pail. Working with a gravity drain design, the tank drains every time the pump is shut off. The smaller tank drains more frequently, reducing the odors that are often synonymous with dental evacuation systems. This also eliminates the need for cleaning (something that every staff member will appreciate). Should the tank require draining during the day, the cycle takes approximately 6 minutes.

dental health

The Way to Keep a Younger Smile

Everyone wants to look young and attractive. And a radiant smile is the most attractive way of showing it. So check out these dental tips to help you achieve a beautiful and younger smile. Practicing good oral health and taking care of your teeth is one of the many ways that can help you achieve a younger smile.

Dental health has improved dramatically with falling rates of tooth decay and attention has now shifted to the needs of an ageing population, with an increased emphasis upon aesthetics – that is, having a full set of sparkling white teeth.

A number of procedures that a dentist carries out for patients involve the use of a dental lab( dental laboratory equipment ). Dentures, crowns, bridges, mouthguards, splints, whitening trays are all usually made at a dental lab by a technician. Just like dental materials there is a premium on good quality materials and work.

Brushing your teeth on a daily basis is the most common practice among the human race. Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and others will support the fact that each one of us should brush or floss after every meal. This practice helps avoid dental problems such as tooth decay.

Toothpaste contains fluorine that enriches teeth and makes them stronger. Depending on your condition, your dentist can prescribe you a toothpaste with certain levels of fluorine.

Some foods and drinks contain harmful colours, chemicals, and acids. Soda, coffee, and tea could stain your teeth, so try and avoid drinking too much of it. If you are a coffee addict, make a habit of brushing your teeth often.

Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also stain your teeth. You might not notice the stains in its early stages but once visible they are hard to retract.

Some people have white and sparkling, unique teeth. Some people go through whitening treatments to remove the stains or to make their teeth whiter by teeth whitening machine. You should check with your dentist for the best procedure or treatment for your teeth. Some medications are harsh and may cause more harm than good hence a prescription from your dentist would be the best option.

As you age, you get exposed to heftier stress so your teeth might wear out during the night because of clenching. It is a typical incident for people who grind and clench their teeth.

Another cause of wearing teeth is airway obstruction in sleep apnea patients. Unless you regularly visit your dentist for check-ups, this condition may remain unnoticed.

A night guard protects your teeth from cracking and wearing out. It also keeps your teeth healthy and strong, hence the youthful appearance.

dental equipment

The Impact of Air-Driven and Electric Handpieces

The handpiece is an essential element in any dentist’s armamentarium. It is a fundamental device that can enhance—or hinder, depending on its efficiency and maintenance—the daily routine of a practice. Selecting the right handpiece is critical to helping ensure the smooth operation of everyday activities.

Innovations come and go in dentistry, with some being more impactful than others. The introduction of the air-driven handpiece nearly 60 years ago has proven to be a revolutionary advancement that genuinely changed the way dentists prepare teeth to receive dental restorative materials. The use of air-driven “high-speed” handpieces enabled clinicians to work more expeditiously with reduced trauma to the tooth and the patient. This development presented a major improvement from the “belt-driven” handpieces that preceded them and represents one of the most significant leaps forward in the era of modern dentistry.

Since it was introduced in 1957 by Dr. John Borden and DENTSPLY, several notable improvements have been made to the high-speed handpiece to make the design more ergonomic, the heads smaller for easier patient access, the turbines quieter, and bur-changing easier. Low-speed handpieces are now reserved primarily for finishing and polishing procedures, prophylaxis, and laboratory applications. Most dental delivery units contain both a low and high speed handpiece to provide the dentist with an instrument whose speed is specific to the operation that is being performed.

Electric handpieces (with variable revolutions per minute [RPM]) are also available that give dentists added benefits when compared to their traditional air-driven counterparts. One significant difference is having a specific RPM, with constant torque and less “bur chatter” (more concentric), so that when polishing or cutting through various types of tooth structure or restorative materials, the bur does not “bog down” or slow down when performing the clinical task.

In many clinical situations, an electric handpiece can perform the same functions that both an air-driven high-speed and separate low-speed unit can. Since most clinicians still prefer individual handpieces for high and low speeds so they can be more efficient chairside, this may not make a difference when choosing between the two systems; however, the higher initial investment for electric handpieces may be a consideration for some clinicians. Also, given the ability to “dial in” the desired RPM and use different contra-angles that have different gearing ratios, the electric handpiece can be custom-tailored to perform many other types of clinical procedures such as rotary endodontics, implant placement, and third molar removal (via tooth sectioning), for example. This clinical versatility is very desirable in today’s dental practices where multidisciplinary treatments are becoming increasingly common.

dental tips

How Can You Choose Good Quality Portable Dental Equipment

It is never a good rule of thumb to buy something simply because it is available or because it is affordable for you. Find out exactly what your practice needs and then begin your research on the quality products to invest in. This is because buying portable dental equipment is just that, an investment. Check the product’s features and confirm how it will make your practice more effective.

With so many different models and manufacturers to choose from, you want to make sure you’re investing in something of quality that is best for your practice. While some products may do the same function, some perform and last better than others simply because of how they were made.

Although “top of the line” dental chairs may cost between $7,000 to $9,000, you may benefit more from buying a used dental chair instead. This is because many used and portable folding chairs are made of more durable materials than many of the mass-produced products on the market now. Taking x-ray equipment for a example:

When making the decision to purchase dental x-ray machine, the doctor needs to research the available options thoroughly, in order to make an informed choice for the “right” machine for his or her practice.

The first question that a doctor should ask themselves is, “What is the main type of treatment that I provide my patients?” If you are a general practitioner, a standard 2D panorex will provide all of the imaging requirements needed for such treatments as caries detection, diagnosis of TMJ issues, OPG images, and images of the patients entire detention in a single x-ray. Many of the newer 2D panoramic units also offer extraoral bitewing imaging capability, which allows the dentist to obtain a bitewing image without putting a sensor or periapical film inside of the patient’s mouth.

As good as a deal that company you don’t recognize or haven’t seen any reviews on may offer, do not buy from them unless you are sure the decision is right for you.

Choosing a manufacturer who has an established reputation and has been in business for a number of years. These companies have the knowledge and experience to help recommend the best products. This also benefits you because they know exactly how each product functions and how it benefits the different dental practices.