Thanks to Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, known by the acronym CEREC®, we are able to restore your damaged teeth to their natural strength without the waiting associated with traditional restorations. We use CEREC® to replace fillings and restore teeth that are decayed, weakened, or broken.
CEREC® crowns are created in our office in minutes, using a proprietary metal-free milling technique. This technology eliminates the need for multiple visits that a traditional crown would require.
The teeth are digitally scanned with a camera and the new dental crown is designed on a computer before being milled. It is then crystallized in an oven and permanently bonded to the tooth. The whole appointment takes less than 2 hours and does not require the use of temporary dental crowns.
If you are a patient with a filling or crown that needs to be replaced, make your appointment and ask us about CEREC®. We will be happy to show you how the process works and answer any other questions you may have.
Digital x-rays are another way that we protect your health when you visit our office. Instead of using a conventional film, we use a special sensor which puts the x-ray picture directly into the computer.
This allows us to reduce the amount of radiation by nearly 90%. Since the pictures are in the computer, we can enhance the images to better diagnose conditions–often before they become problems. This proves to be much more convenient for you because the x-rays can then be displayed on the computer right in front of you!
Until recently, traditional dental x-rays were only able to provide limited information about the state of your mouth. Dentists relied on experience and knowledge to diagnose and develop treatment plans for each patient.
The i-CAT is a state-of-the-art Cone Beam CT Scanner that we use at SLO Smiles. The i-Cat produces a high-resolution 3-D image of the mouth that can be used for many diagnostic purposes. The images are especially useful to evaluate and plan dental implant cases to ensure safety and ideal results.
The intraoral camera allows us to view your teeth and gums with more precise clarity. The camera helps us identify early any underlying dental issues or concerns so that we can treat them sooner and more accurately. A more accurate diagnosis allows us to develop a better treatment plan for each patient.
A faster, more accurate diagnosis means less chair time and fewer appointments for you! It also allows you to see everything we see and know everything we know about your unique needs!
Some patients struggle to understand why they need complicated dental procedures when they aren’t experiencing any pain or see no visual evidence that the procedure is needed.
The Intraoral camera allows you to see the state of your mouth in real-time rather than being shown difficult-to-understand x-rays or listening to the explanation of the dentist. Instead, you can see the doctor’s diagnosis with your own eyes.
Intraoral cameras are roughly the same size as a pen and are fitted with a camera and light. The camera then transmits the images to a computer screen. You’ll be able to see right away a fractured tooth, abscess, or cavity.
Our bodies are hosts to countless bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Gum disease is a complex cascade of events triggered by the presence of certain pathogenic bacteria.
There are several factors that determine the effect these bugs will have on our oral and overall health including age, habits, and illnesses. The phase contrast microscope is a cutting edge tool to aid in the prevention and elimination of gum disease by allowing the dentists at SLO Smiles to visualize and classify bacteria.
This allows a proactive approach to stop gum disease before it starts to damage tissue and bone. Our office goal is eliminate gum disease from our patients and the phase contrast microscope is a critical component.
Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (or PRGF) is a type of plasma rich protein (PRP) that is derived by fractionating blood into its components. PRGF is used primarily in bone and soft tissue regeneration.
It is a technique that uses a small amount of the patient’s own blood to isolate crucial proteins that stimulate healing, foster new bone growth, and repair soft tissue in surgical sites.
Because PRGF is derived from the patient’s own blood and tissue, the process is very safe with little risk of disease transmission or rejection from the donor.
The WaterLase® iPlus Dental Laser is a versatile laser tool that allows our dentists to cut teeth, bone, and gum tissue more accurately and with less trauma than with traditional tools such as a drill or scalpel. The WaterLase® Drill can be used in procedures such as replacing fillings, cosmetic procedures, implant placements, and periodontal therapies.
The WaterLase® Dental Laser uses a combination of YSGG laser energy and a spray of water in a process called HydroPhotonics™. Because the laser uses water and light energy there is no friction like with a traditional drill.
Friction causes heat and ultimately pain. Because the WaterLase® does not cause such friction, there is less need for powerful anesthetics. In fact, many WaterLase®procedures can be done using no anesthetic at all!
WaterLase® patients usually experience little inflammation and discomfort post-treatment, if any. And doctors using the WaterLase®are able to work on teeth and gums with unprecedented accuracy.
New patients are always welcome at SLO Smiles. Our friendly San Luis Obispo dental team looks forward to meeting you!
