T-Scan® is dentistry’s only clinically recognised and research validated digital occlusion analysis system. It is a diagnostic device that records bite force dynamics, including the magnitude of the bite force, its location and timing.
With T-Scan, we are able to see where dentists couldn’t before using traditional occlusal indicator methods. Most of you will be familiar with tapping up and down on pieces of blue and red articulating paper? The state-of-the-art digital software helps us identify premature contacts, high forces, and the interrelationship of occlusal surfaces, the bite strength between your teeth.
Whether eliminating destructive forces on a new restoration or performing an occlusal analysis and adjustment procedure, our new T-Scan can help us balance your occlusion with precision and accuracy, predictably providing you with a more comfortable and less destructive bite.
We are delighted to be able to use the same advanced laser technology in dentistry that we have all become aware of in other fields in medicine, probably laser eye surgery and tattoo removal being the most well known.
The use of the German engineered Claros Pico® Diode Laser during treatment helps us to work faster, more precisely and more effectively.
Laser therapy can be used to support a range of conventional treatments including periodontal and endodontic (root treatment) therapies. It also allows us to offer some additional beneficial treatments such as pain relief therapy, aphthous ulcers, cold sores, wound treatment, gag reflex relief and advanced photothermal periodontal (gum) treatments.
However one of the main areas we have found it invaluable is in soft tissue management. Instead of using a scalpel we use a laser. It makes the management of painful wisdom teeth much more effective. It means we can more easily avoid the need for extractions of these troublesome teeth.
We really don’t know how we managed without it before. It is gentle and precise, there is no bleeding and our patients report absolutely minimal discomfort even after quite extensive treatment.
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers the laser is totally invaluable. We are now able to quickly, gently and precisely contour the gum, framing your teeth so it is symmetrical. If the gum is uneven around a tooth, gum contouring can smooth and balance the way your tooth and gum look. The procedure produces a consistent, even harmonious gum line that is aesthetically pleasing.
We can also improve the appearance of a “gummy” smile. Some people have teeth that look too “short” due to the relationship between their teeth and gums. This procedure is often used to remove excess gum tissue and expose more of the crown of the tooth. In fact, your gum line can be carefully sculpted to create just the right proportion between the gum tissue and tooth surface. The result of this gum tissue reshaping procedure is a beautiful smile.
This patient had laser gum shaping as part of a smile makeover (which included tooth whitening and composite reshaping)
The second photograph is taken just 4 days after the laser treatment took place, and shows just how kind the laser is to the gum.
Please see our smile gallery for further examples of gum re-contouring.
Laser used for gentle gingival re-contouring in one area to get more symmetry.
Patient really shows her lower teeth when she smiles so this very obvious difference in gum shape on her lower front teeth really detracted from her otherwise gorgeous smile.
Photograph taken immediately after laser treatment finished. Shows no bleeding and will heal very quickly.
Photograph taken 7 days after lasering, showing healed healthy gum. Patient had ZERO pain following her laser treatment, not even a little bit sore! Patient was very happy with the result.
Some of us remember when we had film in our cameras which we took to Boots to be processed and a week or so later we would get a set of printed photographs (usually not meeting our expectations!).
Less than 10 years ago at the practice we were still using “wet film” X-rays which had to be processed using potent chemicals. Things have changed so much.
We now have intra-oral cameras and dental macro cameras in every surgery which give us instant superb quality images we can share with you, sometimes of views, you would struggle to see yourself! We have digital radiographs and can email diagnostic images to other healthcare professionals at the touch of a button.
All our dentists, hygienists and therapists wear loupes and a light (the weird glasses with a miners torch). They are magnifiers that make your teeth look much bigger, and therefore it is easier to drill more accurately because we can see every little detail.
They magnify teeth to usually about 2.5 to 5 times their normal size, a bit like the magnifiers jewellers wear when they’re splitting diamonds, and a very bright light so they can really have a fantastic view when they’re working on your teeth. It also stops dentists trying to put their head in a patient’s mouth to see better!
Jo Wirdnam modelling a pair of flip up 2.5 mag loupes and light with Oakley frames…
We do know we look a bit strange…
Pop in for a chat, and we’ll show you around and talk you through what we offer over a coffee or a tea.
Just fill in your details on the form to the right and we’ll call you back.
