Equipment

Air Abrasion by “Prepstart”

This unit is powered by compressed air supplied by a dedicated air compressor “Prepstart” delivers a fine stream of minute abrasive particles via a tiny nozzle on a handpiece. This stream can be used to gently remove areas of tooth decay or staining on teeth. The process “etches” the tooth so that any defects may be restored using tooth coloured composite filling materials. Very often no local anaesthetic is needed which is a great benefit to people who are fearful of injections.

Digital X-ray scanner: “Digora Optime”

This “Digora” unit scans small sensors which are used in place of the usual x-ray film. The sensor is protected by a disposable plastic pouch which is placed inside the mouth and exposed to x-rays in the usual way, (but with only 2/3 of the radiation dosage). The scanned images are then digitised and transmitted instantly to the patient’s records ready for immediate viewing on the computer monitor screen. The resultant time from taking the x-ray to viewing the film is reduced by about 10 minutes. Our “Optime” unit was purchased in October 2005 and cost about £10,000! However, we accepted this expense as part of improving our overall service to patients and do not make any extra charge for x-rays obtained in the “digital way”.

Digital Intra-Oral Camera

We have a digital intra-oral camera which is very useful for taking photographs of places inside the mouth which are difficult to see. We can demonstrate many problems for example broken teeth and fillings, gum problems, and keep a record for ourselves and patients to look at later. Here are some examples taken before and after we replaced an old amalgam filling with composite:

Our intraoral camera is an efficient tool when explaining and demonstrating the most suitable treatment method for the patient. If the patient chooses the more expensive alternative she/he is aware of the notable difference in quality, which we have been able to demonstrate with the images. There is always time to expose an image.

Electrosurgery Unit

This unit is used to reshape gum tissue without causing any bleeding. It is sometimes used during crown preparations and also during minor oral surgery.