At Midtown Dental, we leverage the latest advancements to ensure your appointments are faster, more comfortable, and produce beautiful, predictable results. We utilize 3D Digital X-Rays (CBCT) for intricate planning, intraoral scanners to streamline the impression process, and advanced CEREC® milling units for single-visit restorations. From high-tech diagnostic tools like Infrared Cavity Detection that find issues earlier, to modern sedation methods for your comfort, our investment in state-of-the-art technology is a direct commitment to increasing the accuracy of your diagnosis and elevating the quality of your care.
Our top technologies at Midtown Dental in Raleigh include:
3D Digital X-Rays/CBCT
A 3D Digital X-Ray, also known as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), represents a significant advancement over traditional 2D images by capturing a comprehensive, 3D view of the mouth, jaw, and facial structures. This technology uses a rotating arm to take hundreds of images in a single, quick scan, which are then compiled by specialized software to create a highly detailed model. For you, the patient, this means a more accurate diagnosis and a more predictable treatment plan, especially for complex procedures like dental implants, wisdom tooth removal, and root canals.
The quick scanning process and minimal radiation exposure make it a safe and efficient tool that helps your dental team visualize hidden anatomical details, such as nerve pathways and bone density, that might be missed with conventional X-rays, ensuring the best possible outcome for your oral health.
Intraoral Camera
The intraoral camera captures sharp, magnified photographs of individual teeth, existing fillings, and gum tissue, instantly projecting them onto the monitor for you to view. The primary purpose of this technology is to make your care completely transparent; it moves the diagnosis from abstract description to concrete visual proof, allowing you to view and identify a need for specific treatments with enhanced clarity. This direct visual evidence ensures you are fully informed, confident in the decisions made, and an active partner in maintaining your beautiful smile.
CEREC® Same-Day Dental Crowns
CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology revolutionizes the process of getting a dental crown by making it possible to design, create, and place a custom, high-quality ceramic crown in a single appointment. Instead of messy traditional impressions, we use a digital scanner to create a precise 3D model of your tooth, eliminating the need for temporary crowns and a second office visit. A sophisticated in-office milling machine then crafts your permanent, natural-looking crown right away, and your dentist bonds it immediately, saving you valuable time. This advanced, streamlined process ensures your tooth is protected and restored with minimal disruption to your busy schedule.
Infrared Cavity Detection
To find and treat decay as early as possible, we use a cutting-edge tool called Infrared Cavity Detection. This device uses safe, near-infrared light to shine through your tooth, making the enamel appear transparent while highlighting carious (decayed) areas as dark shadows. Unlike traditional X-rays, this method is completely radiation-free and is highly effective at revealing decay hiding in the grooves and hard-to-see areas of your teeth, particularly on the biting surfaces.
By visualizing cracks and subtle changes in the tooth structure that may not be apparent on the surface or traditional radiographs, this technology allows us to catch small problems before they become big cavities, promoting conservative, minimally invasive treatment and preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
Intraoral X-Rays
Intraoral X-rays are the foundational and most common type of digital dental imaging, providing essential snapshots of your individual teeth and the bone that surrounds them. To take these, a small sensor is placed briefly inside your mouth, allowing us to capture highly detailed images, such as bitewing X-rays to check for decay between the back teeth, periapicals to examine the entire root and surrounding bone, and occlusals to show the floor or roof of the mouth. This essential diagnostic tool uses minimal radiation, yet provides crucial information for detecting early-stage cavities, assessing the health of existing fillings, monitoring bone levels, and planning procedures like root canals or extractions. Because the images are digital, they appear instantly on the screen, enabling your dentist to review your internal structures immediately and discuss a precise treatment plan with you.
Extraoral Bitewings
Extraoral bitewings offer a comfortable and quick alternative to traditional bitewing X-rays for checking decay between your back teeth and assessing bone levels. Unlike conventional bitewings, where a sensor is placed inside your mouth, extraoral bitewings are taken using a sophisticated machine that rotates outside your mouth, capturing the necessary detail without the discomfort of holding a plastic sensor.
This technique is especially beneficial for patients with a sensitive gag reflex, small mouths, or difficulty opening the mouth wide. While still providing the critical diagnostic view needed to detect early cavities and monitor the health of your supporting bone, extraoral bitewings make the essential process of regular dental screening a much more pleasant experience.
Intraoral Scanners (Primescan® and iTero™)
At Midtown Dental, we now use an Intraoral Scanner, such as the advanced Primescan® or iTero™ systems, to create a highly accurate, three-dimensional digital map of your teeth and gums – no goopy impressions needed.
This handheld, wand-like device is moved gently inside the mouth, capturing thousands of images per second and stitching them together on a nearby screen in real time. This process is fast, clean, and eliminates the gagging and discomfort often associated with conventional impressions, making your experience significantly more pleasant. These precise digital impressions are then used to design and fabricate perfectly fitting restorations, like crowns, bridges, and Invisalign® aligners, promoting faster treatment times and superior smile results.
Experience Modern, Precise Dentistry in Raleigh
Ready to experience dentistry that is more accurate, efficient, and comfortable? Our commitment to integrating the latest technologies ensures you receive the highest standard of care available. Call Midtown Dental today to schedule your appointment and see firsthand how our state-of-the-art tools enhance your dental journey. Book your advanced care appointment today!
