Technology

Do I need to wear those funny orange glasses when you work on me?
Those funny orange glasses protect your eyes from the bright light we shine on your teeth. The new composite (tooth colored) fillings are very sensitive to a certain wavelength of light. That wavelength of light turns the tooth colored putty to very hard in just seconds due to a process initiated by the light. Unfortunately prolonged exposure of the eyes to this light can damage your retinas (kind of like looking at someone welding without safety glasses).


How do the doctors keep up to date on all the current techniques and materials?
Dr.'s Ortmeier and Fournier keep up to date on all the current techniques and materials by continuously researching appropriate topics and subject matter for their continuing education. Both doctors and hygienists must acquire at least 30 hours of continuing education every two years by law. Fortunately for our patients our dentists and hygienists attend many, many, more hours than are required.


I don't like getting x-rays. Are there any dangers? Do you have any way to cut down on the amount of radiation you use on me?
Dental X-rays are an extremely important diagnostic tool, without them we are basically just guessing at which problems, if any, are occurring. Getting x-rays is really not anything to get nervous about.

With today's technology exposure to harmful radiation is almost a moot point. Years ago much research was completed to reduce the amount of radiation each patient were exposed to during a typical visit. As a result of collimated x-ray tubes and lead shields just to name a few, the amount of radiation one receives during a typical dental visit is less than being outside for a few hours on a summer day.

Fortunately for our patients, the Dodge Dental Office is equipped with digital radiography (fancy name for Digital x-rays). These Digital X-rays allow us to provide even more convenience. The x-ray shows up on the computer after 3 to 5 seconds so they are much quicker, and we can now store every image on the computer. These x-rays also allow us to reduce our exposure (i.e. radiation exposure) to one third of what we need for the conventional x-rays resulting in even less radiation. Technology is wonderful.


I don't like drills. Are there any other options?
Many others share your sentiments. The high-speed handpiece (drill) does make a disconcerting noise. We do have an air-abrasion unit, basically a mini-sand blaster that can do many of our preparations without even being numb. The air abrasion unit is specifically designed for treating teeth without pre-existing restorations and for small, new decay. Unfortunately there just is not an economical alternative to the drill just yet.