Detecting Disease before Devastating Damage

Finding tooth disease is often an inexact science. Sometimes it is just educated guess work. However, technology is giving us a better view of disease at an earlier stage. The DIAGNOdent laser system is a new breakthrough in dental disease detection. Before its use about fifty percent of cavities went unnoticed.

Dr. Nolan uses the DIAGNOdent’s laser light to harmlessly, and precisely, find disease. One of the most difficult areas to detect disease is on the chewing surfaces of teeth and under and around metal fillings. Because we can now uncover disease in these areas more consistently we can prevent significant tooth loss.

The DIAGNOdent laser makes it possible for us to lift the veil on what used to be hidden areas of disease. All this is done safely, painlessly and without exposure to x-rays.

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Press Release From the "Dental Boutique"

Cavities are unfortunately a fact of life. They have been around since the beginning of time. This bacteria destroys healthy teeth and hides in all the crevices and niches of the teeth. Often the decay continues to advance unnoticed until, one day, the patient experiences pain with sweets, or hot and cold temperatures.

The patient goes to the dentist and has an x-ray taken of the tooth, only to find that nothing shows up. The dentist then uses the "explorer" or "pick". You know what I mean, the sharp pointed instrument that your dentist takes and sticks on the top of the tooth. He pushes hard with the "pick" to see if it sticks inside the tooth. All of a sudden you yell out; "That hurts!" He then proceeds to check all of your teeth this way.

Today, I have a new instrument that enables me to check all of your teeth without the dental pick. Using the latest technology, I can check your teeth with the use of a laser. Cavities are found at the earliest stages of development, long before there is any pain at all. Many times using the old fashioned technique of the dental pick, these cavities may be left undetected and continue to get much larger before an x-ray or a pick reveals them. I can now find all the decay, preventing long, expensive procedures and root canals. This is another way in which "We Cater to the Dental Chicken".

The Diagnodent is a precision laser that directs a concentrated fluorescent beam of light into the groove of the tooth. Healthy tooth structure will absorb this fluorescent light, while diseased teeth or cavities will reflect the light. The tip of the laser is specially equipped to measure the amount of reflected light from the tooth. A computer then relays this information in the form of an audible pitch as well as a number reading. The larger the number, or higher the pitch, the more decay is present. In most cases, the decay is caught at the earliest stages and very little tooth structure is lost. This minimally invasive technique permits bonded restorations that are not only beautiful, but also healthier for the tooth. As an added benefit, you will save a large cost because we were able to repair the cavity before it turns into a root canal.

Dr. Nolan has been practicing for over 22 years in the same location in Playa del Rey.

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INTRA ORAL CAMERA

Dr. Nolan uses an intraoral camera, about the size of a pen, to help you to see clearly what is happening in your mouth on a color television. You will see exactly what Dr. Nolan sees while he is examining your mouth on a color television screen.

We can zoom in on the picture & magnify up to 20 times to show you everything in your mouth. The camera is linked to our computer system so the pictures are entered into your digital record. In this way you can compare before and after photos of how Dr. Nolan creates beautiful smiles. And how he can create a beautiful smile for you.

We give you options, show you the possibilities and inform you visually, in writing, and thru conservations how to improve your smile and your dental health. This information helps you to understand how current and future dental care will affect the overall health of your smile.

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THE WAND - Anesthesia without worries

This allows me to give you Pain Free Dentistry and Injections. The discomfort of the shot is mostly due to the feeling of pressure created by the flow of anesthetic. By controlling the pressure at which the anesthetic is delivered, this computerized injection system can greatly relieve this discomfort.

The Wand is a computer controlled, local anesthetic delivery system. We know many people put off going to the dentist because of their concerns about the discomfort that is associated with injections. The Wand relieves a lot of those worries and it often achieves significant anesthesia without the side effects of lip, tongue and face numbness.

The device is a slim, pen like handpiece. Dr. Nolan is especially excited about this device because it allows him to give painless injections. Dr. Nolan will help alleviate your anxiety and fear about the dental injection.

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For answers to the preceding whitening questions & others click here to go to our FAQ's section.

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INTERNET ACCESS

The reception area and treatment rooms are equipped with high speed DSL Internet access so that if you are waiting for a service in a treatment room you can utilize your time by surfing the net, checking e-mail, or stocks.

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