Dental Technologies
Advanced Dental Care Technologies
We recognize that as our patient, you are making an investment in your long-term dental health and appearance. We invest in it too, by incorporating the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, but only after carefully evaluating their ability to deliver real value to our patients in added comfort, safety and efficiency.
Learn more about these advanced dental care systems below:
- Digital Impressions
- CBCT 3D Imaging
- Diode Micro-laser Therapeutics
- Digital Imaging and Diagnostics
- Low-exposure Digital Radiography
3D Digital Impressions of Your Teeth
High precision is the name of the game when it comes to taking dental impressions. The Walker & Krause Dental Team utilizes a top-of-the-line iTero Element intraoral scanner that instantly creates a 3D model of your mouth. A light emitting scanning wand is passed over your teeth and gums to capture every detail in high resolution. In most cases this eliminates the need for traditional impressions that fill your mouth with gooey material and take several minutes to set up. You are able to breathe and swallow normally, and there is no unpleasant taste or smell.
Because we can see the scan in real time, accuracy is improved, and there is no need to worry about materials that can distort and cause costly mistakes. This allows for a precise fit of crowns, bridges, orthodontic aligners, implants, and mouth guards. We are able to simulate the results of Invisalign orthodontics using your 3D scans. We can also use 3D scans in combination with CBCT x-ray scans as we treatment plan complex cases.
A single use imaging shield ensures maximum cleanliness and patient safety, and there is no ionizing radiation emitted during the scanning process. Digital scanning is a game changer in dentistry, and so many patients tell us this improves their dental experience immensely!
Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Imaging
At Walker & Krause Dental Team we always strive to utilize technology to provide the highest quality of comfort and care to our patients. We are proud to offer CBCT three-dimensional imaging, which is widely regarded as one of the most important innovations in dentistry over the last several decades.
Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a specialized type of x-ray that provides information above and beyond conventional dental x-rays. CBCT uses advanced technology to provide us with three-dimensional digital images of dental structures, bone, nerve paths and soft tissues which are much more detailed than conventional two-dimensional dental x-rays. This allows us to more safely and precisely diagnose and treatment plan for our patients. It is a simple and comfortable process which can diagnostically image bone, teeth and soft tissue simultaneously.
With the information from a CBCT scan, we can:
- Evaluate the position of teeth, bone structure, nerves, and jaw joints
- Determine the quality and volume of bone in a specific area
- Plan surgery for tooth extraction, implants, and bone grafts
- Perform complex root canal diagnosis and treatment
- Detect problems that may not show up on traditional x-rays, such as tooth fractures or infections.
Our KaVo OP 3D scanner allows us to rapidly obtain an image of your mouth and jaw using comparable levels of radiation to traditional dental x-rays. Depending on your needs, we can use the machine to take 3D & 2D images in as little as 9 seconds. We are also able to tailor the level of x-ray exposure to the individual image we are capturing.
CBCT Comparison to Traditional X-rays
Cone-beam computed tomography systems (CBCT) are a greatly reduced x-ray exposure variation of traditional computed tomography (CT) systems. The time needed for a full CBCT scan is typically under 10 seconds and the radiation dosage is up to a hundred times less than that of a regular CT scanner.
The CBCT systems used by dental professionals rotate around the patient within seconds, capturing multiple images or views (from 150 to more than 600 images) of a selected field of view (FOV) using a cone-shaped X-ray beam. This information is used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image using powerful computer software.
When comparing CBCT to panoramic images, cone-beam images provide undistorted and accurate dimensional views of the jaws. Panoramic images, by contrast, are both magnified and distorted. A panoramic radiograph is a great way to evaluate the “big picture” of a patien’s current dental condition, as well as check for pathology that may not be visible on individual tooth x-rays. However, due to distortion, panoramic images are unreliable to use for making measurements.
Further, in a panoramic image, all the structures between the x-ray emitter and the image detector are superimposed on one another. With CBCT it is possible to separate out the various structures and examine areas of concern in fine detail. An example of this would be the ability to see the roots of teeth in relationship to nerve pathways or sinuses, which may be difficult or impossible with a two-dimensional image.
We have included some images we have taken using our CBCT scanner, we think it’s pretty awesome!
Diode Micro-laser Therapeutics
With soft tissue lasers we are able to treat gum disease, reshape “gummy” smiles, and perform minor surgical procedures. This is all accomplished with a gentle beam of light that is not only more comfortable than traditional methods but also promotes better healing and faster recovery time.
Digital Imaging and Diagnostics
With a tiny intraoral camera an Olympia Dentist is able to visualize your dental condition displayed on a TV screen. Not only does this allow you to see the areas of concern but it provides valuable information for an accurate diagnosis. allows us to get a live, close-up view of otherwise imperceptible areas of your mouth.
Low-exposure Digital Radiography
We can take digital X-rays with as much as 90 percent less exposure to radiation than the traditional method. Using a small in-mouth sensor attached to a computer imaging device, Digital Radiography pictures are relayed instantly to a chair-side monitor for easy viewing. Not only is digital radiography safer for you, it’s also more comfortable and convenient, and allows us to zoom in and display close-up images of trouble spots for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of tooth decay and other conditions of the teeth and bones.
