Our practice is equipped with the latest technology and dental equipment to make your treatment as fast, seamless, and convenient as possible. By using progressive dental techniques, including laser dentistry, digital imaging, and digital impressions, Mark Griffiths, DDS strives to achieve your goals while preserving as much enamel and natural tissue as possible.
BIOLASE®
BIOLASE® lasers can provide a more accurate and comfortable way to treat dental issues. Using only laser energy, BIOLASE® can eliminate most, if not all, of the discomfort often felt with more invasive techniques and preserve more of your natural tissue. Laser dentistry can be used to complement a variety of preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dental procedures, including gum recontouring, implant cleanings, dental cleanings, gum disease treatment, and more. BIOLASE® lasers make it possible for you to undergo your treatment without the stress and pain of traditional techniques.
Intraoral Cameras
An intraoral camera is a toothbrush-sized device that can show patients what a dentist is observing from their point of view. This tool can help you clearly see decay, broken fillings, fractured teeth, and other dental issues so you and Dr. Griffiths can discuss any necessary treatment. By providing a better idea of your dental needs with the intraoral camera, we can more effectively decide the most ideal treatment options for you.
Digital X-Rays/3D Imaging
A clear view of the teeth, gums, and other oral tissues is essential to keeping your mouth in good condition. X-rays have been utilized for decades to identify potential dental concerns early on before they require more extensive and costly treatment; however, traditional film x-rays are often uncomfortable for patients and may cause unnecessary exposure to radiation.
At Griffiths Smiles, we use digital x-rays that can reduce radiation exposure to patients by 80 percent! Rather than waiting for film x-rays to develop and prolonging your appointment, these digital images can be instantly displayed on a large screen in our treatment rooms. This can allow Dr. Griffiths to provide you with a better understanding of your oral health while saving you time during your visit.
Digital x-rays can help detect a number of concerns, including:
- Tooth decay
- Cysts (fluid-filled sacs at the base of your teeth)
- Impacted teeth
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
- Teeth that are still coming in
Digital imaging and radiography are useful tools that have greatly improved all aspects of dentistry. They allow both the patient and dentist to see the teeth and gums on a large, high-resolution format without excessive exposure to radiation. In addition to being clinically meaningful, these radiographs are detailed, sharp, and rich in contrast.
Smile Imaging
Smile imaging technology is utilized to improve treatment planning for cosmetic procedures and smile makeovers. This can allow you to see a preview of your potential results before the start of treatment and make adjustments as necessary. The process is very simple: first, we will take photos of your smile and use special computer software to make enhancements according to your goals. In a before-and-after photo format, you should be able to see what the final outcome of teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, Invisalign®, or another cosmetic treatment could look like on your own pictures. Based on your feedback, your dentist will be able to refine your dental plan as necessary prior to your treatment. As a result, smile imaging can not only improve your consultation, but also give you a more realistic expectation of what a given procedure can achieve.
Digital Impressions
If you are in need of restorations or orthodontic treatment, digital impressions can help Dr. Griffiths obtain an accurate mold of your teeth and gums without the inconvenience and messiness of dental putties. While traditional impressions require patients to bite down on a molding material, digital impressions at Griffiths Smiles can create a precise replica of your mouth through 3D scans taken with a handheld wand. This information is then sent to a dental lab, where aligners, dental crowns, bridges, or dentures can be fabricated to blend in seamlessly with your smile.
OralID®
OralID® is a sophisticated oral cancer screening device that helps our team detect both cancerous and non-cancerous lesions in the mouth. Using fluorescence technology, OralID® can identify potentially concerning anomalies in the mouth within just a few minutes. Ideally, patients should undergo an oral cancer screening every six months as part of their routine check-up. Regular oral cancer screenings are essential to your oral and general health, particularly if you smoke, chew tobacco, consume alcohol, or have been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV).