When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Daggula and her staff will utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality for your dental care. Click on a topic of interest below for more information:

Laser Cavity Detection / DIAGNOdent
3D Scanning / Cadent iTero
Digital X-Rays
Air Abrasion / Dentistry without the drill
Digital Photography

Laser Cavity Detection / DIAGNOdent

diagnodent-laser-cavity-detectionAccurate, reliable caries detection aid
More and more patients place value on healthy and attractive teeth. In order to maintain them, the earliest possible care is essential. Often there are small cavities that x-rays and the explorer do not find. The DIAGNOdent provides advanced technology that helps detect caries at the earliest possible stage, enabling you to protect and preserve the tooth structure before the decay progresses too far.

What is the DIAGNOdent actually measuring?
The DIAGNOdent measures laser fluorescence within the tooth structure. As the incident laser light is propagated into the site, two-way handpiece optics allows the unit to simultaneously quantify the reflected laser light energy. At the specific wavelength that the DIAGNOdent laser operates, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display.

3D Scanning / Cadent iTero

Digital. Detailed. Done. The Cadent iTero digital impression system is dentistry gone 3-D. With iTero, your dentist can take a highly accurate digital impression for your crown or bridge area, completely eliminating the uncomfortable tray and putty impression. No More Goop, Gagging, or Discomfort.

cadent-itero

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-ray technology utilizes an extremely sensitive and precise electronic sensor to take pictures of the mouth. The small sensor instantly transmits the pictures to the video monitor in the examination room. Digital X-rays produce a full view of the mouth for comprehensive treatment, and our video monitor allows the computer-generated image to be shifted, enlarged, and highlighted for a remarkably accurate diagnosis. Since digital radiography generates less radiation than traditional X-rays, it is a safe, environmentally friendly, and an effective diagnostic tool for patients.

digital-dental-xrays

Digital X-rays provide many advantages:

  • Faster
  • Instant Viewing
  • Lowered Radiation
  • Image Enhancements
  • Electronic Storage
  • Avoids need for chemicals to develop film

These Dental X-rays are an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems, they expose hidden dental decay; reveal dental abscess, cyst or tumor; show impacted or extra teeth; and also help determine the condition of fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals. Dental X-rays can also reveal bone loss from gum disease, locate tartar buildup, find foreign bodies within the gum or bone, and see if there is enough bone for the placement of dental implants. The combination of both the X-ray and the visual examination helps us determine the best treat for the patient.

Air Abrasion

DENTISTRY WITHOUT THE DRILL: You need a filling and you’re not looking forward to it, but what you dread most is the drill.

Dentists call it a “hand piece”, but we all know it as the drill. Its high-pitched whine and the thought of it touching your teeth make your muscles tense and your palms sweat.

Now there may be an alternative. Drill-less dentistry? YES! Air abrasion is the newest method to removing tooth decay. Air abrasion works like a tiny sandblaster. Compressed air and an abrasive power remove wear the decay from your tooth.

The procedure is relatively simple and quick and can most often be done without the need to have anesthetic (no needles).

This procedure works for many types of decay, but can’t be used for everything. For instance, air abrasion can’t be used for deep fillings or crowns.

Some precautions are needed. You and your dental team will wear protective eyewear and the assistant will suction your mouth constantly to remove the particles. You may notice a funny taste or gritty feeling in your mouth afterwards, but rinsing thoroughly will take care of this.

Call us today to schedule your appointment: 817-465-0355.

Digital Photography

Many patients are familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV monitors are their primary method of information processing.

Dr. Daggula utilizes digital photography to help in patient diagnosis. A digital photograph allows us to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations.

Digital photography also enables our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.