Mill Creek Dental Health Care
Linda Cirtaut DDS

Technology

Advances in dental technology now allow us to perform procedures at Mill Creek Dental Health Care that are far more comfortable and efficient than ever before. In addition to comforting amenities like pillows, blankets, lip balm, and a beverage bar, we use modern technology to develop highly accurate diagnoses, so we can customize your care and deliver better outcomes. Much of the technology we use is also interactive, allowing our dentists to share with you important information that affects the decisions you make about your oral health care.

Contact Us With Questions

Our doctors continue to stay current with emerging trends and technology to ensure you are always receiving the highest standard of dental care possible. Please browse through some of the technology we currently offer to see what it does and how we apply it in our practice. As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

 

Digital X-Rays

One of the most important diagnostic tools in dentistry has always been dental x-rays. However, many of our patients have concerns about radiation exposure. At Mill Creek Dental, your safety always comes first, so we only use state-of-the-art digital x-rays that expose you to about 95% less radiation than traditional film x-rays.

Many dental conditions begin deep inside teeth or beneath the gums where they can’t easily be detected, making digital x-rays invaluable. The highly-detailed images that digital x-rays produce allow us to clearly see what's happening inside your teeth.

The images are also valuable because we pride ourselves on patient education. In our experience, patients who understand their dental needs usually enjoy better oral health. And understanding why we recommend treatment is easier when you are an active participant in the decision-making process!

Instead of bulky film, we take your x-rays using digital sensors with rounded edges that don’t poke into tender gum or cheek tissue. After we review your x-rays, they are stored on our in-house system, allowing quick access when needed for reference or to quickly send to specialists and insurance companies. And digital x-rays are green – they don't require any processing chemicals, so there is no hazardous waste to dispose of!

CEREC Same-Visit Crowns

We understand you have a busy life and the last thing you need is to have your life revolve around your dentistry. One way we can help you get the care you need and get on with your life is with CEREC same-visit crowns.

Getting a traditional dental crown can be a drawn-out process that requires multiple visits, messy impressions, and the inconvenience of a temporary crown.

We know your time is valuable, so we offer the convenience of CEREC same day crowns. Using CEREC (CEramic REConstruction) technology, we can now create a customized dental crown in just one 90-minute appointment at our Mill Creek dental office.

CEREC uses digital images and computer-aided design technology to create a 3-D model of your tooth, which is used to build and produce an entirely customized ceramic crown while you wait. The result is a beautiful, durable restoration with no messy impressions, no two-week wait for your new crown, and no temporary to deal with. 

Digital Impressions

If you have ever had any dental work, you know how awkward it can be to have impressions of your teeth taken. You have to sit with a big bulky metal tray filled with gooey paste and wait for it to set, and the process may need to be repeated to ensure an accurate impression.

Today, we can do away with the whole complicated process. Using our digital scanner, our doctors take highly accurate impressions without discomfort or gagging.

The small hand-held scanner fits comfortably in your mouth, and the process takes about ten minutes. While your doctor guides the scanner over your teeth, you will see a highly-detailed 3-D rendering appear on your chairside monitor. The resulting images are used in our office to plan CEREC treatment, or they can be sent to a custom lab that prepares custom restorations.

 

Laser Dentistry

Dental lasers are safe and effective for use in procedures like filling cavities and eliminating the bacteria that cause gum disease. Today, we reduce the need for cut-and-stitch periodontal surgery by using laser technology to perform the procedure. The result is no cutting, no stitches, minimal post-procedure bleeding, and no downtime.

We also use dental lasers for cosmetic purposes like gum contouring or crown lengthening as well as removing tooth decay and preparing surrounding enamel for a filling. Nobody likes shots, and lasers make the process so easy and comfortable that most patients do not require any anesthesia. 

Many patients experience anxiety over the vibration and pressure of dental drilling. At Mill Creek Dental Health Care, we use state-of-the-art dental lasers that get the job done comfortably and efficiently. Lasers also allow us to perform multiple treatments during a single appointment.

Lasers can also treat the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. The heat from the laser destroys the virus, so you may not have to worry about a recurrence in the same area. 

Panoramic X-Rays

When planning your treatment, we use digital panoramic x-rays that produce a single highly detailed, two-dimensional image of your mouth including teeth, upper and lower jaws, structures, and tissue. These images are valuable, but more importantly, digital panoramic x-rays minimize your radiation exposure by as much as 80%.

Taking a panoramic x-ray is easy because we don’t have to place any film or sensors in your mouth. This imaging technology is extraoral (outside the mouth). Because of this, panoramic x-rays are great for young children or adults who can’t tolerate x-rays taken inside the mouth.

 

Rotary Endodontics

It’s very common to experience anxiety about root canal treatment. But at Mill Creek Dental Health Care, we do everything possible to ensure that your procedure is comfortable and stress-free – and rotary endodontics are a part of that. 

Rotary endodontics allow our doctors to perform efficient root canal treatment by making the process more efficient and minimizing the time you spend in the dental chair. We are also able to achieve better outcomes for our patients because rotary endodontic instruments clean the root canals more thoroughly than traditional endodontic tools.

DentalVibe

At Mill Creek Dental Health Care, we focus on providing your family with comfortable and compassionate care. One technology our patients really appreciate is our DentalVibe, which we use to eliminate the anxiety and discomfort of oral injections.

The small handheld device emits vibrations, blocking any pain sensations in the area where an injection is being given. Using the DentalVibe significantly reduces your anxiety because you don’t have to worry about discomfort. DentalVibe works so well that many patients report that they didn’t even realize they already had the injection! Parents love this technology for their kids because they can experience dental visits that are pain-free and comfortable.

VELscope

In addition to visual oral cancer screening, we are also pleased to offer state-of-the-art oral cancer detection technology called VELscope. It works by emitting a green light to stimulate natural fluorescence in the soft tissues of your mouth. This allows our doctors to detect abnormalities that might not be seen by the naked eye. A VELscope exam takes just a few minutes and could save your life.

Digital Sensors

You probably remember that having a film x-ray taken involved clutching a bulky clip in your mouth while an assistant took the x-ray. This process was uncomfortable, and it was also often a challenge for the assistant to position the film properly to get the detailed image needed.

Today, digital sensors take the place of film x-rays, doing away with the discomfort and inconvenience of dental films. Instead, the flat sensors produce digital images that provide us with superior diagnostic capabilities of film x-rays and more. The sensors are comfortable, provide high-resolution images that reduce your radiation exposure dramatically, and include software that allows us greater control over the images they produce.

 

Nitrous Oxide

Millions of people struggle with dental anxiety that prevents them from seeking necessary dental treatment. At Mill Creek Dental Health Care, we want to make it as easy and stress-free as possible to keep up with your appointments, so we are pleased to offer the relaxing benefits of nitrous oxide conscious sedation.

We administer nitrous oxide through a small nasal mask. As you sit back and breathe normally, you will almost immediately feel a calming effect. Noises and activity around you fade into the background, and a pleasant sensation of well-being takes over.

You will stay calm and relaxed as long as we administer the gas, and as soon as we turn it off, the sensations fade. By the time you leave our office, you will feel no side effects and will be able to resume your normal daily activities.

Air Abrasion

Air abrasion is a non-invasive technology we use to comfortably remove tooth decay. The process uses an instrument that directs a fine spray of abrasive material at the tooth like a mini-sandblaster to gently remove decay. At the same time, the particles are suctioned away to prevent them from being inhaled into the lungs.

The procedure is completely safe, and we will have you wear protective eyewear and protect surrounding teeth with a rubber dam. Air abrasion is perfect for children and adults with minimal tooth decay. 

 

Intraoral Cameras

We believe that educating you about your oral health is one of the most important jobs we have. This is why we choose technology that makes you part of the process and helps you better understand the state of your oral health.

Intraoral cameras are a perfect example of this because they allow us to share with you real-time images of your teeth so we can point out problem areas. The device is about the size of a pen, and as your doctor guides it over your teeth, you will see the image displayed on your chairside monitor. Intraoral cameras allow you to participate in your exam because the detailed images allow us to point out the exact problem so you can clearly see why you need treatment.

Digital Records

One way we help you maintain a healthy smile is by making your visits as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Our digital record-keeping system streamlines your appointments because you don't need to spend time filling out endless forms, and all your information is readily accessible in one location. 

Since digital records eliminate a lot of paperwork, they are better for the environment. And digital records allow us to efficiently share your file with specialists or your insurance company when needed.

TVs in Treatment Rooms

One of our priorities is to ensure that you are completely comfortable every time you visit us. A great way to do this is by providing you with the option to enjoy entertainment while we provide the treatment you need for good oral health. We offer TVs and headphones in every treatment room so you can switch off the activity around you and distract yourself with your favorite TV program or music.

 
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