Dental Technology

Our Technology

The complex devices all around us — from long-range satellite links in our cars and offices to powerful computers in our hand-held gadgets — prove beyond a doubt that we live in a technology-driven world. In the field of dentistry, new technology is constantly changing the way diseases are diagnosed, routine procedures are performed, and illnesses are prevented. Although they may seem unfamiliar at first, new and improved dental technologies offer plenty of real benefits for patients. At Traverse Dental Associates, we utilize the industry leading digital x-ray sensors that have the highest resolution with low radiation exposure. We use a special intra-oral camera to capture pictures of your teeth that aid us in the education of our patients by allowing them to see what we see. With patients that suffer from TMD, Traverse Dental Associates utilizes a Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) and Tek-Scan device to help aid in analyzing, diagnosing, and treating Joint Disease and Occlusal Disease.

Dr. Christopher Mazzola Discusses the Technology at Traverse Dental and Associates

• Dental Implants. Tooth replacement took a giant leap forward with the widespread use of dental implants — today’s preferred method of replacing teeth. Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace the root part of your missing tooth. A realistic dental crown is then attached to the implant for a replacement tooth that looks and feels exactly like what nature gave you.
• Digital X-Rays. Diagnostic x-rays have long been invaluable to dentistry. The emergence of digital technology in the past decade, however, has made dental x-rays safer and even more useful. Digital technology cuts radiation exposure to patients by as much as 90% over traditional x-rays. And there are other advantages including the elimination of waiting time for pictures to develop, and sharper images that can be enhanced instantly to show detail.
• Intra-Oral Camera. A picture is worth… plenty, when it comes to helping you understand your dental examination, diagnosis and treatment! With these tiny cameras, you can see what the dentist sees. The images of your teeth can be saved as stills or video — or even printed out — so you can see exactly what’s happening in your mouth.
• Tek-Scan. The T-Scan provides a real time dynamic measurement of the patients bite force. It allows for the dentist to increase accuracy when working through a full mouth reconstruction. The data that device provides gives the provider confidence in the patients occlusion and that the bite force will be constructed in a way to decrease the chance of a material failure.

• Joint Vibration Analysis. Joint Vibration Analysis is based on simple principles of motion and friction. JVA provides a fast, non-invasive, and repeatable measurement of TMJ function to aid in your diagnosis of TMJ function. Human joints have surfaces which rub together in function. Smooth, well lubricated surfaces in a proper biomechanical relationship produce little friction and little vibration. But surface changes, such as those caused by degeneration, tears, or displacements of the disk, generally produce friction and vibration. Different disorders can produce different vibration patterns or “signatures”. PC-assisted vibration analysis helps identify these patterns and helps you distinguish among various TM disorders.
• Laser Treatment. We use the Biolase Epic^™ laser for crown lengthening, lesion removal, and soft tissue management. Using this laser gives us precise control and supreme patient comfort for these procedures.
• In-House Laboratory. Bay Area Dental Arts is located within Traverse Dental Associates. The laboratory utilizes a 3D model scanner to digitally design the replacement tooth. A wax pattern is then printed in 3D and the porcelain crown is pressed on site. Having the dental lab in-house allows us to ensure quality control and make certain that all aspects of the fabrication process are monitored. This gives Traverse Dental Associates a one on one relationship with the laboratory technician and the superior results are evident in the quality and esthetics of the crown and bridge work.