207 South Main Street, Black Creek, WI 54106

Technologies

Digital X-Rays

We offer one of the latest technological advances in dentistry with digital radiography (X-rays). A wireless sensor is placed in the mouth, and a computer generates an image in 30 seconds as opposed to the general 4-6 minute wait time for images taken on dental film. These X-rays can also be enhanced on the computer and enlarged.

Not only are they friendly to the environment, they are much safer than traditional X-rays. Digital radiographs reduce radiation exposure by 90 percent!

While radiographic equipment does produce radiation (and depends on that radiation to function properly), modern advances in technology are continually reducing the amount of radiation that is produced. In fact, studies have shown that the amount of radiation produced by these machines is not significantly higher than other “normal” sources of radiation that we are exposed to on perhaps a daily basis, such as televisions and airplanes.

X-rays work on a simple principle: the X-rays are stimulated and sent through the mouth. When these rays pass through, they are absorbed more by the bones in your mouth than the gums and other soft tissues, creating a picture of how the teeth inside your mouth are positioned, as well as any potential areas of weakness or decay in your teeth.

While this radiation is very low, it is still recommended that pregnant women avoid any unnecessary X-rays. However, pregnant women are also more vulnerable to gum disease, so x-rays be recommended, in which case proper precautions should be taken, such as using a lead apron and thyroid collar.

Laser Dentistry

We use laser dentistry in our practice for hard and soft tissue procedures. The lasers used are narrow beams of light energy that can penetrate the tissue, producing the ability to vaporize, remove or shape soft tissues such as the gums, cheeks and tongue. It can also penetrate hard tissue and remove decay.

Laser dentistry can be used to correct many problems, from uncovering partially erupted wisdom teeth to removing lip pulls in orthodontic patients. Lasers can also obtain small tissue samples in biopsy procedures to detect lesions or potential tumors in the mouth.

Using laser dentistry as opposed to other forms of surgery does have its advantages. Lasers can control the amount of bleeding during the treatment and can sometimes remove gum tissue without causing bleeding. In laser dentistry, there may also be less swelling and pain following the surgery as the laser can seal blood vessels and nerve endings.

Intraoral Camera

The standard X-ray is essential in determining any dental problems you may have, but unfortunately, it may not reveal everything happening inside your mouth. We are proud to utilize an intraoral camera in our office.

An intraoral camera can project an image of your tooth onto a monitor, so you can see the problem in a magnified version and how we can correct the issue. It can also identify problems that may not be detected by the general means of examination, including cracks in your fillings or fractured teeth. Similar to the size and design of a dental mirror, an intraoral camera allows you to make better decisions regarding your treatment as you can see the same things we see.

Cerec

We are proud to provide CEREC 3-D Technology to our patients in need of restorations. The CEREC system has revolutionized the dental field by meeting the needs of our patients in a more convenient manner. Gone are the days where the patient must return for multiple visits to complete a restoration. CEREC Technology can design, fabricate and place a ceramic restoration in just one visit! Also with this new system, the need for temporaries or impressions has been eliminated.

Through the use of this new technology, we can save more of the healthy tooth structure in our patients while giving them beautiful, tooth-colored restorations that are metal-free and durable.

Velscope®

Every hour, one American dies from oral cancer. Because of this alarming statistic, our office now offers a simple test for those at high risk.

Using the VELscope oral cancer screening machine, Dr. Lornson can diagnose oral cancer at its earliest stages. Developed by the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, VELscope uses fluorescent technology to detect abnormal tissue in the oral cavity, which may be or may lead to, oral cancer.

The VELscope examination is painless and non-invasive. The system features a revolutionary hand-piece, which will be used to safely emit blue light into the mouth. Generally normal, healthy tissue has a bright-apple green glow, while abnormal, unhealthy tissue appears dark.

If caught early, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases. An examination using the VELscope machine is comfortable and only takes a few minutes. Best of all, it is one of the most accurate methods for detecting cancer early. With proper screening and early diagnosis, the severity of oral cancer drops significantly.

Don’t become a statistic – talk to us today about the dangers and warning signs of oral cancer, and schedule a VELscope oral cancer examination at your next appointment!

3D Cone Beam Imaging

Cone beam 3D imaging is a relatively new development that allows dentists to see clear, detailed, three dimensional images of your teeth, as well as the bones and soft tissues that surround them. It’s called a cone-beam because the x-ray beam is literally in the shape of a cone, where traditional CT scans use fan shaped x-ray beams. This cone-shaped beam takes nearly 600 of “slices” of information about your mouth, and then special software assembles all of this into three-dimensional views.

These kinds of images can be a lot more helpful than traditional two-dimensional x-rays, since they can be moved around to see your tooth and bone structures from every angle. This technology is particularly helpful for things like seeing exactly how close a wisdom tooth is to the nerves and arteries in your jaw, or precisely how much bone is present to support an implant. We might want to take a 3D image for some of the following reasons:

Accurate placement of implants
Determining if a root canal is your best treatment option
Planning for extractions, especially of impacted teeth
Evaluation of your sinuses
Sleep apnea
Fractures
Diagnosing TMJ issues
Getting to the bottom of undiagnosed pain

Invisalign

Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. No brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces.What are Invisalign clear aligners made of and what do they look like?

Invisalign clear aligners are made of flexible plastic — specifically, a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® created exclusively for Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign clear aligners are FDA-approved and contain no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten. They are thin, clear, and fit snugly over your teeth, making them virtually invisible.