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A new area of early decay detection and
conservative decay removal has emerged in dentistry.
It is called Micro Dentistry and it will significantly
change the future of dental care. It involves the use
of a caries detector stain and a small computerized
laser to find early areas of decay in the grooves of
unfilled teeth. We use air abrasion equipment to remove
the decay, and bonded composite fillings to restore
the damaged area.
Bonded composite fillings, unlike amalgam
fillings, are stronger, require less removal of healthy
tooth structure, and help strengthen the remaining tooth
structure. Composite fillings are tooth colored and
blend in with the natural look of the tooth for an esthetic
result.
Finding decay earlier with a caries detector
allows the dentist to stop the destruction of decay
sooner and prevent further weakening of the tooth. It
is believed that the caries detector is 3 to 4 times
more accurate in finding early areas of decay in the
grooves of teeth than traditional methods using dental
x-rays or the dental explorer instrument.
Removal of these small early detected
areas of decay in the grooves of non-filled back teeth
through the use of air abrasion is a no anesthetic,
pain-free, drill-less, and conservative process. A jet
of air carrying a fine abrasive in a small well-focused
point, is directed at the decay. The decay is removed
painlessly and a very small defect or hole is left to
be restored.
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