Patient Services ~ Technology

If you cannot detect the disease, how can you treat it? Dentists often experience anxiety when attempting to diagnose the phenomenon known as hidden caries. A suspicious-looking tooth presents a treatment dilemma for dentists. Should the tooth be opened up? What if no caries is found? Should the tooth just be watched, or does that give caries more time to destroy the tooth's surface?

A changing caries model: due to floridation, caries has gone "underground". While helping to improve the oral health of many Americans, fluoridation has resulted in harder tooth enamel. Incipient caries lesions that once began on the tooth's surface have no migrated below the surface.

Proven clinical results: Treatment decisions require a higher degree of certainty. The DIAGNOdent laser caries detection aid removes the doubt from treatment decisions regarding hidden caries ore questionable stained grooves. The device's ability to see into occlusal pits and fissures enables dentists to treat sub-surface caries lesions with confidence.

Parker Dental Associates is on the cutting edge of technology in Joint Vibration Analysis with BIOJVA™

When two smooth, well lubricated surfaces rub together, friction is minimal and very little vibration is created. If the surfaces are rough and/or poorly lubricated, friction is greater and the result is vibration (more roughness + poor lubrication = more vibrations).  Human joints, such as the temporomandibular joint, have naturally very smooth and well lubricated articulating surfaces. Under normal conditions, little vibration is produced during function. But surface changes, such as those caused by degeneration, cartilage tears, perforations, and mechanical displacements, increase friction and result in vibrations.  BioJVA™ Records these vibrations and aides in diagnosing problems.

If you would like more information about this new diagnostic tool, call us!

The Odyssey Diode Laser is dentistry's most user-friendly soft-tissue laser to date. With a simplified control panel, the Odyssey Diode Laser features the latest and finest solid state diode laser technology, accurate power output and a consistent wavelength for smooth, precise, clean tissue modification.

The laser creates an intense beam of light energy that moves through a fiber optic cord. When it enters the targeted tissue, the energy is converted into heat as a result of the tissue's pigmentation. A photo-thermal reaction occurs that results in a much localized thermal effect causing vaporization (or ablation) of this targeted tissue, with "very little collateral tissue damage".

When using the Odyssey Diode Laser, dentists or hygienists can change the mode of the laser (either pulsed or continuous wave), the power in Watts, and the current status -- such as ready or stand-by.

The primary use of a soft-tissue laser is the modification or removal of intra-oral soft tissue. The photo-thermal effects of the laser's energy allow the operator to modify tissues and control hemostasis at the same time by coagulation. The post-operative response of the laser care will usually produce a cleaner and healthier surgical site with less discomfort when compared to alternative methods of surgery. Soft tissue lasers enable minor surgical procedures and decontaminate the area at the same time. There is less chance of infection, and some soft tissue procedures around the gingiva can be completed without anesthesia.

The laser also promotes healing for infected and irritated tissues. Since there is a favorable response to laser treatment, the resultant healing is less complicated and often shorter when compared to traditional techniques. In many cases, the laser can also be used to treat deep gingival pockets that harbor bacteria and cause gum disease. An additional benefit of dental diode laser technology is its ability to reduce the pain and longevity of cold sores and fever blisters.