If you recall what your local dentist’s office looked like when you first started going as a child, it probably jogs memories of loud, screeching tools and long days spent in the dental chair if you needed anything more than a simple checkup. Now, however, when you visit the dentist‘s office you are entering an area of business that pushes to stay on top of all the latest technological trends available.
The Latest Equipment
Many dentists have moved towards using sandblasters, lasers and other devices in their offices on a regular basis, explains Daniel Klein, D.D.S., who owns and operates a family dentistry office in Pittsford, New York. Soft lasers, he explains, have been innovative for trimming gums that are infected, for cosmetic purposes, and to aid in periodontal surgery. Sandblasters, or air abrasion units, on the other hand are used to roughen the tooth’s structure to aid in bonding procedures or when applying sealants.
Where Has The Hand Drill Gone?
Actually, the hand drill that has been used in dental procedures for decades hasn’t gone anywhere. Instead, it’s just gotten a bit of a face lift. The traditional hand piece, Klein explains, is an air-driven turbine that efficiently cuts with minimal friction and is cooled by water to prevent burns on the tooth’s structure during use. Today though, it is not uncommon to go to a dentist who uses an electric drill instead, because they tend to be quieter and provide more torque.
Perhaps, since other equipment has been thrust into the spotlight, the drill has been overshadowed. But, even though the new technology has definitely improved dentistry, it has in no way replaced the dental drill, Klein insists. Despite all of the recent advances, he says, in almost every procedure that requires the rapid removal of old restorations or the preparation of tooth structure, this dental hand piece will be used. In his opinion, he says he sees no time in the foreseeable future where you will enter an office where the hand drill has become obsolete.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
