More and more orthodontists, oral surgeons and other dental specialists are using a new dental imaging technology called 3D cone beam scans – and for good reason. 3D cone beam scans produce high-quality 3D images of teeth, teeth roots, jaws and even the skull. These 3D images allow dental professionals to identify potential problems that oftentimes go unnoticed with traditional dental images. 3D cone beam scans have benefits for patients, too: they emit far less radiation than traditional dental X-rays!

Intraoral photography is another alternative to traditional dental X-rays. With intraoral photography, problems such as cavities, fractures and discolorations in the teeth, as well as gum disease, are captured through clear and sharp images. The camera also allows you to see what the dentist sees on a monitor right in front of you, making it easier for you to understand and appreciate any potential problems or risks to your oral health.

The Panorex X-ray is a single picture of all your teeth and surrounding bones. Sometimes referred to as a single FMX, or full mouth X-ray, the Panorex provides a two-dimensional panoramic view of your mouth. The resulting X-ray includes more than just a couple of teeth at a time -- and is an excellent alternative to the tiny pictures we have to piece together to see a complete set of your teeth.

The Panorex X-ray also exposes parts of your jaw that can't be seen with traditional dental X-rays. With a Panorex single FMX,we can view:

    • Your entire upper and lower jawbone
    • Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or jaw joints
    • The nasal sinuses and their surrounding bone
    • The mandibular nerve, which provides sensation to the teeth and gums of the lower jaw

If you haven't had a Panorex X-ray yet, you should know it's nothing like you've experienced before. While you'll still wear a lead apron to protect yourself from radiation, you'll stand in the center of the machine. The camera rotates in a half circle around your head, staring at one side of the jaw and ending at another. For a clear picture, you'll need to remain still; don't worry -- it only takes a few seconds for the process to complete.

CEREC crowns are one of most innovative dental technologies to ever emerge. With CEREC crowns, you don't have to worry about messy impressions, temporary dental crowns, or multiple dental visits. CEREC crowns are made right in the dentist's office and are placed in just one visit. CEREC crowns look great, too. Made of pure porcelain and no metal, CEREC crowns look and feel like your real teeth. The convenience, comfort and beauty of CEREC crowns are unbeatable!