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PrintMedical Reports: Digital Dentistry
There's a new way to make the trip to the dentist more comfortable. A new machine takes digital impressions of your teeth, so you don't have to endure those messy trays of goo anymore. Seven's Richard Lemus shows us how this Digital Dentistry works.
WSVN -- If you've ever gotten a dental impression of your teeth, you've probably experienced the trays of goop they put into your mouth.
Charlotte Reeve: "It's quite uncomfortable, actually."
Charlotte Reeve dreads it. She's literally had hundreds of dental impressions taken over the years for crowns or bridgework.
Charlotte Reeve: "I've had every tooth redone. I have a history of not having the best teeth in the world."
But on her latest visit to get a mold for a new crown, she got a pleasant surprise.
Instead of a tray, Cosmetic Dentist Gordon Sokoloff used a new digital impression machine.
Dr. Gordon Sokoloff, cosmetic dentist: "The new technology is to taking impressions what the DVD is to the old-style VCRs. It is here to stay."
The doctor never has to even touch your teeth. He simply waves this wand over the tooth, and the machine takes 3-D pictures of it.
Dr. Gordon Sokoloff: "The laser is taking over 200 different images per second. It's very, very fast. The patient doesn't have any pain or any discomfort."
Those 3-D pictures show up on a computer screen. The doctor can rotate the pics and see your tooth from every angle.
From there, he will send that digital impression of your tooth to the lab, so they can make a perfect model.
Dr. Gordon Sokoloff: "The benefit of having the scan, you can look at it instantaneously, and you can correct it there, and prevent the patient from having to come back again for another impression."
It's often hard to find a happy dental patient, but Charlotte is one of them.
Charlotte Reeve: "The new way is awesome. It is so much quicker. It is easier. There's nothing down your throat to make you gag."
One week later, she has her new crown, and with her great smile the only impression she makes is a good one.
Doctors say the new models made from the digital images are better too. They are more precise and won't crumble like the old clay models.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Coral Gables Dentistry
Dr. Gordon D. Sokoloff D.D.S.
220 Miracle Mile # 228
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 567-1992