Dental Technology

Oral Conscious Sedation

Do you have a fear of going to the dentist? You are definitely not alone. A recent survey ranked going to the dentist #2 on most fearful activities behind public speaking. It’s estimated that 85 million Americans are scared of the dentist, causing them to avoid needed dental treatment.

Now they’re jeopardizing not only their dental state but their overall health status as well. If this sounds like you, we want to help. Whether you’ve been postponing a simple dental checkup or a brand-new smile, now is the time to take better care of yourself.

At Greystone Smile Design, we can make your dental experience more comfortable and relaxing with the use of oral conscious sedation. This type of sedation is defined as “an induced controlled state of depressed consciousness.” In this state, patients maintain the ability to breathe independently and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal commands. Oral Conscious Sedation is administered by taking pills that produce feelings of relaxation and drowsiness as well as provide a mild anesthetic to aid in pain control. Some degree of amnesia is common.

3D Cone Beam CT X-ray

Better imaging equals better health and better results. That’s why Greystone Smile Design recently installed the new VaTech Panoramic X-ray with 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging technology. This device will aid in diagnosis and planning for implant placement, airway evaluations for snoring and minor sleep apnea, and assessing pathology. The bottom line is that this cutting-edge equipment makes us better so that we can deliver the highest level of care to our patients.

The panoramic X-ray is a two-dimensional image that gives a broad overview of the entire mouth. This X-ray supplies information about the teeth, upper and lower jawbone, sinuses, and other hard and soft tissues of the head and neck. It is great for evaluating wisdom teeth and pathology.

One advantage of the panoramic X-ray is its ease of use. Unlike other X-rays where the film is placed inside the patient’s mouth, the panoramic film is contained in a machine that moves around the patient’s head.

Comprehensive Information with a Three-Dimensional Image

The Cone Beam CT is a three-dimensional image that has become increasingly important in treatment planning and diagnosis in implant dentistry, along with endodontics (root canals) and orthodontics. During a CBCT scan, the scanner rotates around the patient’s head, obtaining up to nearly 600 distinct images. It is great for placing implants because bone width and height can be viewed in three-dimensions. Implants can be placed virtually in the software with the exact angle and length, and this information can be translated to surgical guides that allow for minimally invasive implant surgery.

We have invested in this technology to better serve our patients, and provide the peace of mind that our diagnosis and treatment plans are based on the most comprehensive information found in dental x-rays today.

Digital X-Ray

Digital x-rays are quickly becoming the standard in dental imaging. Digital x-rays allow the doctor to get a much better view of your teeth and potential dental concerns. The digital imaging software allows the doctor to see a number of different views of the tooth to gain a better understanding of the proper course of treatment. Digital x-rays provide a great benefit to the patient. Not only are they an excellent diagnostic tool, but they decrease radiation to the patient by over 80%.

Intraoral Camera

Intraoral cameras are an excellent means of allowing the patient to view potential dental conditions in their own mouth. It is much easier to understand what is happening in your mouth if you can see the problem on a computer monitor. This digital image can be utilized to provide information to insurances and other doctors if necessary.

OraVerse™

Your comfort is an important priority in our practice. So if you’re someone who dislikes the lingering numbness of local anesthesia and the way it can limit your daily activities, an innovative solution is here. Our office is now offering a new product called OraVerse™.

OraVerse is the first and only product of its kind to rapidly reverse the effects of local anesthetics containing a vasoconstrictor so you can feel, speak, smile, and drink normally in approximately half the time.¹ OraVerse is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg (33 lbs).

If you’re one of the many patients averse to the lingering numbness from local anesthesia, let’s discuss whether OraVerse is the right choice for you during your next dental visit.

1. MEDIAN TIME TO RECOVERY OF NORMAL SENSATION WAS REDUCED BY 85 MINUTES (55%) IN THE MANDIBLE AND BY 83 MINUTES (62%) IN THE MAXILLA COMPARED TO CONTROL. MEDIAN TIME TO RECOVERY OF NORMAL FUNCTION WAS REDUCED BY 60 MINUTES (50%) IN THE MANDIBLE AND BY 45 MINUTES (43%) IN THE MAXILLA.

Silent Nite® Anti-Snoring Device

With a success rate of over 80%, the Silent Nite® Anti-Snoring device is the most popular on the market. The Silent Nite works by moving the lower jaw forward, thus, opening the airway for unimpeded air flow night after night.

First, our Birmingham, Alabama dentist takes an upper and lower impression of your teeth to ensure a comfortable fit. Making the Silent Nite appliance at our office at Greystone Cosmetic Center is easy and pain-free!