Advanced Diagnostics

Red Hills Dental is primarily a paper-free office. We communicate patient information through a private, local computer network to keep your information save. Technology also plays a major role in our day-to-day operations and in our treatment of advanced cases. We use the best technology to provide the best services to you. This page contains four technologies we currently use to serve you: Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Intraoral Scanning, 3D Printing, and Intraoral Cameras.

For years, the standard of care has transition to digital imaging in the dental office. We use digital x-rays that deliver 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays. That means we can take 5 digital x-rays for every old analog x-ray that was taken. And traditional analog x-rays in the dental office were considered safe even before the advent of digital.

Most people know what a CT scan, or CAT scan is. They have been used for decades by physicians to accurately diagnose and treat patients. The standard of care in the medical field for many treatments and surgeries is to consult a CT scan. Recent developments in technology have brought CT scans to the dental field. The facial CT scan for the dental office is called a CBCT or cone beam CT. Different than a panoramic image, the CBCT provides Dr. Bergman with a 3D image of the mouth, nasal cavity and sinuses. CBCT is used to aid with endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, and pathology. With the image, Dr. Bergman can analyze bone density, bone angulation, bone volume, nerve pathways, and the extent of infections. There is a clear advantage of CBCT over conventional imaging for dental implant treatment. In fact, data supports CBCT as the new standard of care for many dental implant cases.

Considering the safety of modern technologies, CBCT produces up to 10 times less radiation exposure as compared to a medical CT, and similar exposure to an older analog panoramic dental image. The risk/reward of CBCT favors the reward by a large margin for many dental applications.

Three dimensional images will always be better than two dimensional images for diagnosis and treatment. Our face and mouth is not flat, so a plethora of information is lost when 3D imaging is not used. Because these scans are digital, they can be highlighted, magnified, rotated, and measured. Dr. Bergman can provide a better service for you when he has the right information. The following are accepted uses for CBCT:

• Diagnose problems like tumors and infections
• Evaluate the position and orientation of teeth for orthodontics
• See the number of nerve canals in a tooth and their condition
• Determine where major nerves and blood vessels are in the bone
• Evaluate the quantity and quality of jawbone for implant placement
• Preplan surgical, orthodontic, and endodontic treatments
• Determine the position of impacted teeth.

In addition to CBCT technology, an intraoral scanner improves the service and treatment a dentist can offer. Dr. Bergman uses an intraoral scanner because of accuracy and reproducibility. An intraoral scanner takes the place of an impression and a stone model. Thousands of images are taken with a small handheld camera and digitally merged to create a 3D image. There is no radiation and there is no messy impression material. 

Intraoral scanning technology is commonly used for making crowns but there are additional invaluable applications. Dr. Bergman also uses the technology for orthodontics and dental implant treatments. For orthodontics, intraoral scanning allows for digital manipulation of models to create the final ideal positions for the teeth. Consultations with specialists and labs are a breeze because the information is digital and can be sent and received over secure platforms on the internet. The Models are 3D printed and can be reprinted without a new impression or scan. 

In addition to orthodontics, intraoral scanning allows for unparalleled preparation for implant treatment. Nothing compares to the accuracy and reliability of intraoral scanning to create, modify, and execute dental implant treatment. The primary reasons why intraoral scanning is so beneficial is because:

• The intraoral scan can be digitally merged with the CBCT facial CT
• Implants can be placed in ideal positions relative to existing teeth
• The intraoral scan shows the teeth and tissue levels for implant depth
• The intraoral scan provides a platform for a surgical guide
• The surgical guide is 3D printed directly from the digital file
• The intraoral scan is used to digitally place new teeth for the implants
• The intraoral scan shows soft tissue defects and thickness

Because of the benefits of intraoral scanning, an accurate, reproducible surgical guide can be quickly fabricated in our office. A surgical guide shortens surgery time and by extension can reduce healing time while increasing accuracy.

3D Printing in Dentistry

As previously mentioned, Red Hills Dental uses 3D printing for orthodontics and implant treatment. 3D printing can also be used for sleep devices, bite guards, temporary teeth and osseous reduction guides. The developing list of uses for a 3D printer grows continuously. 3D printing has become very accurate and reliable. We are able to print products with a 50 micron tolerance, which is better than the fit of a lab made crown. Because of 3D printing, remakes are easy and quick. Orthodontic models are printed without new impressions. Slight modification can be made digitally and a model can be reprinted in a matter of hours (50 microns is a small tolerance). Implant treatment workflow is digitally created and then verified with 3D printing. The fit of a 3D printed surgical guide is verified on a 3D printed model. In complex cases, 3D printing is used to verify sinus positions, nerve canal positions and bone morphology. 3D printing allows our office to prepare for and be in control of the final product. 

Intraoral cameras are also used to help document disease and irregularities in the mouth. They take individual images of teeth and gums and can convey the point of view of Dr. Bergman. An intraoral camera can show decay, fractures, swollen gums, tartar buildup, and other concerns in the mouth. Dr. Bergman will show you pictures from the camera to help you make decisions about your treatment.

An intraoral camera is a small, pen sized camera that is very comfortable and unobtrusive. It gives an objective assessment of the teeth and gum tissues. Intraoral cameras are primarily used for education and to expose areas of the mouth that may need more attention. The images can also reveal hidden conditions, like calculus and gum disease. It is always easier to accept a diagnosis when you can see the condition with your own eyes. Seeing tooth decay and the extent of destruction will certainly give you a different sense of ownership than simply being told that it is there. At Red Hills Dental, we want you to be in control of your mouth and smile. We want you to know what is going on and how to best take care of your smile for the rest of your life. An intraoral camera is one of the ways we try to work with you to get the best results possible.