Technology

Have you ever wondered what that blue light that dentists use is all about? It’s called a dental curing light, and we use it to harden or “cure” the resin-based composite material we use for tooth fillings, bonding, and dental sealants.

Composite resin starts as a soft, moldable material that we can mold to the unique shape of your tooth and perfect the contours. Then in the final step, our dentist uses the high-speed curing light to set or harden the material in a matter of seconds.

Also, technology....

Intraoral cameras are a powerful tool used in modern dentistry to capture detailed, real-time images of the inside of your mouth. These small, pen-sized cameras are inserted into the mouth to provide high-resolution pictures of your teeth, gums, and oral structures, allowing both you and your dentist to see any issues up close. Intraoral cameras are especially useful for identifying cavities, cracks, gum disease, and other oral health problems that may not be visible to the naked eye. This technology helps improve communication, allowing your dentist to explain treatment options more clearly and aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. It also enhances patient education by giving you a visual understanding of your oral health

Patient education is an integral part of what we do at Serene Dentistry of North Salt Lake. However, it can be difficult to understand what you can’t see, which is why we have invested in intraoral cameras.

With this technology, you can follow along on your chairside monitor as Dr. Bates conducts his examination. You’ll see everything he sees in real-time, so when he notes a problem area, he can point it out to you on the screen. When you see the cavity, broken tooth, or other condition yourself, you have the complete picture and can make more informed treatment decisions.

Many people avoid needed dental treatment because of anxiety, and one of the most common fears is that of injections. We understand, and so we have invested in technology called DentalVibe that eliminates the anxiety and unpleasant sensations of numbing your mouth.

The DentalVibe Injection System emits slight vibrations, blocking pain sensations and making the process so comfortable that you may not even realize you’ve had the injection! Ensuring your comfort during injections should significantly reduce your anxiety and make it easier to follow through with dental treatment. DentalVibe works for anyone who wants a more comfortable experience, including children.

We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation for patients with anxiety or those who want a more relaxed experience at the dental office. Also called inhalation sedation, nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in through a small facial mask. Within moments, you’ll start to feel a pleasant, drowsy sensation that gives you a sensation of extreme well-being.

These feelings last only as long as we administer the gas; when we switch from nitrous to pure oxygen, your head will clear, and you will feel alert and refreshed. Because there are no lingering side effects with nitrous, you will be safe to drive yourself home from your dental appointment.

One reason many patients experience dental anxiety is the sound and sensation of an air-driven dental drill. To ensure that you have the most pleasant, comfortable experience possible, we have switched to electric handpieces. Using this technology eliminates the annoying high-pitched whining sound of the drill that patients dislike and also minimizes unpleasant vibrations.