Advanced Dental Technology

CEREC Technology

Dr. Funke strives to provide some of the most up to date services available. Dr. Funke is now offering same day crowns, inlays, and onlays using CEREC technology for many restorative cases. Dr. Funke is able to scan, design, mill, characterize, and bond permanent crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single visit. CEREC technology can help eliminate the need for temporary crowns. This technology can also be used to scan and send a digital impression of your teeth to the dental lab for fabrication of veneers, bridges, and implant restorations. CEREC technology eliminates the need for the dental “goop” impressions that many offices use.

 

 

---

---

DryShield

Med City Dental also utilizes the latest technology for isolation and patient comfort. The DryShield provides a bite block to allow the patient to rest on a block to help keep their mouth open during their appointment. There is no longer the need to work to keep your mouth open for dental procedures. The DryShield also helps to keep your tongue and check safe and out of the way of our team while they work. It also helps suctions to keep the area dry and helps reduce the need to swallow while working. Please ask one of our team members if you would like to try out the DryShield.

Digital Imaging

Dr. Funke carefully chooses which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. Radiographs enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs. Dental radiographs are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Funke utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure time is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital imaging can also help us retrieve valuable diagnostic information. We may be able to see cavities better. Digital imaging allows us to store patient images and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.

Laser Dentistry

Dr. Funke has been trained in the use of laser technology in the dental setting. We utilize both diode and CO2 lasers in our office depending on the application. Laser dentistry offers many benefits in dentistry and improves healing times and better results.

Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:

• Curing, or hardening, bonding materials
• Whitening teeth
• Periodontal, or gum related, care
• Pediatric procedures
• Apthous Ulcer treatment (canker sore)
• Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
• Crown lengthening, gingivectomy and other gum corrections

Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating both children and adults.

Photography

Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing. Dr. Funke utilizes an intraoral camera that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth, and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. Dr. Funke also utilizes photography to help guide you on a tour through your mouth. This allows you and Dr. Funke to determine customized treatment that is right for you. It also allows you to see before and after images to see the improvements to your oral health.

This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you! Photography also enables our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you, other specialists, and your lab or insurance companies.

Precision Dentistry

When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Funke and his staff utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care. Dr. Funke utilizes microscopes called dental loupes to enhance the precision of his work and care to his patients. Dentistry is micro-surgery. Using a microscope that is similar to the one an ophthalmologist uses enables us to create dental restorations with incredibly precise fit and finish. You just can’t fulfill that level of care with the naked eye. In addition to allowing precise, close-up work, the microscope directs a beam of light directly on the teeth, minimizing glare for you. Many dentists use air-driven “hand-pieces” (the dental term for “drills”). While acceptable for many procedures, these “whiney sounding” air-powered hand pieces all have a degree of non-concentricity; they do not rotate perfectly smoothly. For the most precise aspects of restorative procedures, we use electric hand-pieces. This results in extraordinarily precise interfaces between your tooth and your new restoration (crown, veneer, or filling). This will bring more comfort to you as well. With a more precise tool, there is less vibration and less noise.