Dental Imaging Equipment: An Ever-Growing Market

The dental imaging equipment market is an ever-growing market that continues to not only thrive but to introduce innovative ways to capture dental images. In 2015, the market was estimated at over $2B and is only expected to grow through 2024.

A major influencer in the market is the introduction of the cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT). This is an improved version of the typical computer tomography (CT) that is widely used in dental offices. The typical CT scan captures images of the desired location in slices. The new CBCT “rotate[s] around the patient, capturing data using a cone-shaped X-ray beam.” ⁽¹⁾ These images can recreate a 3D image of the jaw, teeth, mouth, neck and can even be used to capture images of the ears, nose, and throat.

As of right now, North America is the largest proprietor in the market, holding a global share that is expected to reach approximately $326.6 million by 2023. The largest expected growth, however, is expected in the Asia-Pacific market, which has an estimated growth rate of about 12%. In the United States alone, there are about 800 CBCT machines sold each year, and that number is only expected to increase as time progresses.

Typically, CT scans are not required for care but may be requested by the dentist in order to diagnose and treat your dental care.  This new technology helps your family dentist in Valencia further specify the proper dental care for you and your family.

In addition to the quality of image the new technology offers, the patient is exposed to less radiation. But, if you are concerned with any of the dental imaging procedures completed within your Valencia dental care, please talk with us. This is especially encouraged for children and expecting mothers.

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Dental Bluetooth Technology Meets Toothbrush

In today’s world full of activity monitors and sleep sensors, why wouldn’t you use some of this wonderful new technology to track your quality of tooth brushing? Philips and OralB now offer Bluetooth enabled toothbrushes that track your brushing habits.  Accompanied by a mobile application, this toothbrush could be changing the way we brush our teeth. You might be thinking, do I really need a toothbrush with Bluetooth in it? Let’s take a look at what is has to offer and see if this new technology is something you need. 

When the ordinary technology of Bluetooth combines with a toothbrush you create an all-new dental experience. Offered anywhere between $100-$300 your toothbrush can now track your movements. All you have to do is download the accompanying application that will sync with your toothbrush. After each brush, the application and will show you graphics of what your brushing looks like as well as provide other tracking tools that promote oral health. Your Valencia dental professionals recommend you also track your flossing, mouthwash use, and tongue cleanings, which is available in the application!  



In the mobile application, you can track your brushing performance while it coaches you through your brushing weaknesses.  Here are some great examples:

• Time spent brushing your teeth. The ADA recommends you brush your teeth for 2 minutes. The toothbrush and app will let you know when your 2 minutes have been completed. 
• The pressure applied to your teeth. Brushing too hard or too light is not good for the enamel on your teeth, or for your gums. The Bluetooth technology can sense how hard you are pushing when brushing your teeth and the application will inform you which areas you need to lighten up on, or apply more pressure. 
• The amount of coverage. When brushing your teeth, you want to make sure to completely brush all sides of all your teeth. Sometimes, certain areas are forgotten and the app will be able to tell you if you’ve missed any areas. 

Here at Go Dental, we love new emerging technology! This Bluetooth enabled toothbrush technology may be just what you need to kick your oral health into shape. Let your Valencia dentist help determine if a Bluetooth enabled toothbrush is right for you, and how to best use a Bluetooth toothbrush! 
Images courtesy of Oral-B via iTunes.


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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Wisdom Teeth: When It’s Time to Have them Removed

When you hear “wisdom teeth,” the next word queued up in your brain is likely “removal,” and for good reason! The wisdom teeth are the four, back-most molars in the mouth and, as you well know, oftentimes they need to be removed for oral hygiene’s sake. Today, we’re going to learn all about these later-in-life teeth and how to know when to visit your Valencia dentist to discuss having your wisdom teeth removed.

Why "Wisdom Teeth?"

Although there are some differing opinions as to why they’re called "wisdom teeth," there’s one universally accepted answer: Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop within the mouth and they tend to develop well into adulthood, after we’re (supposedly) wiser than ever! Unfortunately, the typical growth pattern of wisdom teeth doesn’t always seem so wise, and can lead to complications.

What Happens if I Ignore My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth have a funny way of growing in crookedly. When these teeth bump up against your other molars, their growth pattern gets stunted and they become what’s known as “impacted.” As a result, wisdom teeth often partially erupt from the gums or don’t erupt at all—either one of these results can cause problems:

Partial Eruption - A partially erupted wisdom tooth is prone to developing a bacteria condition called perioncitis. This ailment is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding the crown of the partially erupted tooth and can lead to extreme sensitivity and pain. These irritated tissues are prone to bacterial infection, which be dangerous to overall health.

Non-Eruption – Wisdom teeth that never erupt from the surface of the gums can promote the growth of cysts, which can cause significant damage to gum tissues and bones.

How Do I Know When to Talk to My Valencia Dentist?

• Pain – The first symptom is soreness or pain in the back of the jaw. Any pain in the mouth or jaw area should be addressed quickly by a Valencia dentist. If you’ve never had your wisdom teeth removed, you’re an adult, and you’re experiencing soreness, then chances are that wisdom teeth are the source.

• Sinus Issues – If you develop sudden sinus pain, pressure, or congestion, this may be the result of impacted wisdom teeth. See your dentist.

• Headaches – Consistent, dull pain in the jaw is known to cause headaches. If you’re feeling a combination of soreness near your molars and more frequent headaches, consult your dentist.

• Bad Breath – Strangely enough, wisdom teeth are partially erupted, the result can be bad breath. The pockets created in the gums by the wisdom teeth are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, which cause bad breath.

If you have any questions, your Valencia dentist is just a phone call away! Always err on the side of caution and never ignore mouth pain. If you think your wisdom teeth need to be looked at, call us today! 

Go Dental - Top Dentist in Valencia

smile@thedentist.com

All You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

The most requested procedure we see in our practice is tooth lightening/whitening.  It’s easy to understand  why - who doesn’t want a brighter smile?  It’s especially popular this time of year when people want to look best for their holiday party.  There are several different options how you can achieve a brighter smile and it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go to the dentist to get one.

Most oral bleaching gels use a form of peroxide as the active ingredient to lighten the teeth.  Teeth whitening peroxides come in come in two forms - Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide. These are the only two active ingredients which are approved by the FDA for teeth lightening so the consumer must be vigilant and make certain that the product they are considering  uses one of these options.  There have been instances of well marketed products essentially selling acid etch and white paint to lighten teeth (which is not approved in case you’re wondering).

Hydrogen Peroxide gels tend to work a little faster but tends have more side effects associated with it.  Carbamide Peroxide has an agent in the peroxide that controls the release of the peroxide so it works a little slower but has less side effects.  A solution strength 10% Carbamide Peroxide is equal to about 3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide.  In other words, you need less concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide to work have a similar results.

The most common side effect is extreme cold sensitivity and throbbing of the teeth.  Other than concentration levels, what differentiates brands of solutions from one another is how they address limiting these side effects.  Some don’t address it at all and will have a high likelihood of causing side effects.  Others add ingredients such as Potassium Nitrate or Fluoride to help reduce side effects.

The peroxides work through an oxidation process. They penetrate through the porosities in the enamel and react with compounds which cause teeth to stain and break them apart lifting the stain from the tooth.  Sensitivity occurs when the pores of the enamel are exposed allowing cold to penetrate through the enamel layer and irritate the nerve.  

There are over the counter solutions that can work pretty well for many people.  Most of the major brands of toothpaste manufacturers have some sort of lightening system.  They are usually of lower concentrations to prevent major side effects from occurring.  I would advise you against buying lightening solutions off the internet or from radio commercials only because there is very little accountability with companies like these.

If these over the counter systems prove not to work effectively enough, you should probably pursue the professional lightening systems.  These are not the systems you see at the mall, but rather systems that your dentist can distribute and closely monitor for you.  Your dentist can also prescribe treatments to help completely eliminate any side effects that you may encounter.

One other quick note - systems with light activated solutions have been not been proven to work better or faster than traditional lightening treatments.

Additional Sources:

http://www.ada.org/1902.aspx

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/tooth-whitening.htm

Posted by Go Dental, Your Valencia Dentist

The Future is now the Present: How Dental Technology is a Game Changer

Do you find it amazing that all these crazy gadgets and technologies that we see in movies are now becoming a part of reality?  Perfect example, remember the movie “Minority Report” and Tom Cruise using that gestural interface?  Microsoft introduces the Kinect and now its reality.  It’s truly remarkable as they are not only “cool” but extremely useful and have altered our culture.  There comes a time in an industry where something or someone revolutionizes the industry and takes it to the next level.  Usually this revolutionary change involves technology.  In the dental industry, this game changer is now available.  It’s the Cone Beam 3D Scanner.

This is one of the many pieces of amazing dental technology that we've added at Go Dental, your Valencia dentist.  It allows us to visualize your teeth and all the associated mouth structures in a 3 dimensional perspective.  This is particularly helpful when planning for implants and trying to figure out why a particular person is having pain in their mouth.  No need to do exploratory surgeries, with this dental technology, we practically eliminate the need for exploratory surgery for all our patients.

 

From your point of view, how comfortable would you feel knowing that your dentist has the ability to take a picture of your mouth and practice most surgeries, cleanings, implants, etc. before even opening your mouth?  From personal experience, I know this was one of the major reasons I was nervous going to the dentist – the uncertainty.  What our Valencia dentists do with most cases is perform implant surgeries on their computer workstations before performing them on patients.  By duplicating the results of our virtual implant placement to our patients, we practically eliminate all complications leading to short procedure times (20 minutes or less in most cases) and greater comfort for the patients.  Procedures that are accurate and quicker, sign me up!

There was one reason for us purchasing this dental technology – you, the patient.  Our focus has always been our patients comfort.  Anything we can do to make your dental experience a great one, we will do.  Remember we want to be your Valencia dentist for life.