The field of dentistry is constantly evolving and changing to best suit patient needs.

Dentists is always on the lookout for new and emerging technology to make their patients experience as comfortable as possible. Here is just a few of the different technologies that are new or have been improved in the last year.

Dental Microsurgery
Dental microsurgery is basically dental surgery that utilizes a dental microscope and fiber optic lighting system. Dentists use a Dental Operating Microscope to magnify the area, giving them a more precise view of the procedure. Usually, it means less cutting and fewer stitches. Dental microscopes may also reduce the need to pull back the gums, which could result in less bleeding. The precision of dental microscopic procedures often make for faster treatment and less healing time. Dental Operating Microscopes are starting to replace the need for dental loupes, which work like a magnifying glass. There are significant differences between dental loupes and dental microsurgery -- for instance, dental microscopes offer better magnification or the possibility to adjust the level of magnification during dental microsurgery, while dental loupes are designed to fit a set distance between the dentist and patient, limiting mobility. Dental Microsurgery can be used to enhance any dental procedure but is most often reserved for the most complex oral surgery cases, like: The placement of dental implants Locating the tooth's roots and infection during root canal procedures An apicoectomy, where the root's tip is surgically removed to treat a root canal Periodontal surgery or gum disease treatment Locating small cracks or defects in the tooth

The utilization of dental microsurgery could also lower the occurrence of failed dental treatments, which means less need for retreatment. For these reasons, the dental community is starting to embrace the use of it.

The canary system

The Canary System is a device for the early detection and monitoring of tooth decay. It can detect decay on smooth enamel surfaces, root surfaces, biting surfaces, between teeth and around existing amalgam or composite fillings. It is a pain-free, safe and non-invasive early detection system built on years of thorough research. The Canary uses a low-power, pulsating laser light to scan teeth for the presence of dental caries or tooth decay. The laser light is absorbed by the tooth and two phenomena are observed: the laser light is converted into luminescence and there is a release of heat. This heat will not harm the tooth but gives us important information about the tooth up to a depth of 5 mm below the surface. Simultaneous measurement of the reflected heat and light provides us with information on the presence and extent of tooth decay below the tooth surface before being detected by dental radiographs. The Canary Dental Caries Detection System has been proven superior to the standard diagnostic tests for tooth decay. Our research has shown that the Canary System offers greater sensitivity and specificity than dental x-rays in detecting early areas of tooth decay. The greatest two advantages that this machine can provide is: Focus on prevention as opposed to intervention; Reduce the cost barriers to dental services by treating emerging "cavities" before invasive and more expensive technologies are required. For the health care system, earlier detection of caries will ultimately save time and money. Good oral health care is linked with whole-body health care. Avoiding or delaying the placement of a filling preserves the integrity of the tooth and the entire dentition. So, it will provide a new source of patients needing care which means greater success for a dentist.

Waterlase
The WaterLase combines water, air and laser energy for safe use on human tissue in the mouth. Our teeth are partially made up of water and when the laser makes contact with the tooth it excites the water molecules to cut through the tooth. Since the laser continuously sprays out water it keeps the tooth hydrated preventing heat and giving you a virtually pain free experience. This gentle laser does not just replace the noise of the dentist's drill; it also has the added benefit of eliminating the needle so the anesthesia is often not required when performing dental treatment. This great technology will welcome back into the dental chair all that patients with dentophobia, which means the fear of dentists. Since you often do not need shots or anesthesia, a WaterLase dentist can perform cavity preps in all areas of the mouth in just one visit. This technology also gives trained WaterLase dentists the ability to perform many procedures that were previously referred to specialists, saving you time and hassle as you address the dental needs of you and your family. WaterLase dentists are able to remove tooth enamel decay (the hardest substance in the body), bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected. This conserves more of the precious tooth structure you were born with, helping you to maintain your natural teeth longer. The WaterLase is extremely versatile. It can be used for a wide range of hard and soft tissue procedures. From decay removal, cavity preparation, root canals, smile design, gum and bone surgical procedures and many others. The potential for cross-contamination between patients in any dental or medical environment is a real and widely documented risk. WaterLase has the potential to reduce this risk. It works without contact to the tooth and the dentist can operate with single-use, disposable tips so you dont have to worry about what might have been in someone elses mouth. Often using WaterLase allows the dentist to be more productive avoiding the delay of waiting for anesthetic to take effect, enabling the dentist to do more procedures during one appointment, and making it possible for the dentist to perform procedures that used to be referred out to specialists. This saves patient and the dentist time and money!

Invisalign
Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. Youll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth. With Invisalign, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they're also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. With other devices, brushing and flossing properly can often take up to 30 minutes! Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums and how they look to others when you smilesay a lot about your overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of you. Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and diabetes. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of possible problems. And correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel. Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues, so you'll have the confidence of a great smile and increase the likelihood of improved oral health.

Sure, there are other options out there for straightening your teeth, but none offers the level of comfort, convenience and confidence that can be found with Invisalign. So I think in the appropiate future this technology will completly take the place of the other techiniques.

SomnoMed Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Oral Sleep Apnea is when the airway becomes completely blocked and breathing stops. The brain then detects the lack of oxygen and prompts a momentary arousal to draw breath. Although OSA sufferers may experience hundreds of apnea episodes per night, they are unlikely to remember any of them. In fact, if the sufferer lives alone or sleeps separately they may not be aware of their condition, even after many years. Snoring can be a symptom of OSA and is a noise created by the partial blocking of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the airway. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the flap of skin hanging from the palate (uvula) and the throat vibrate a sound we know as snoring. SomnoDent treatment has also been shown to have a clinically significant impact in reducing patients blood pressure and hasbeen predicted to reduce the risk of stroke. Inaddition, this blood pressure reduction was apparent in the early morning, which is the time ofpeak risk for acute myocardial infarction. 14 independent studiesand over 12 years worth ofresearch demonstrate SomnoDent efficacy and significant clinical benefits. Exceptional levels of compliance88%, treatment efficacy 91% and acceptance96% of patients with OSA have been cited. The original SomnoDent, made from the highest quality acrylic that will not discolor, it has been specifically designed to offer solidity, comfort and quality. It is retained using ball clasps and has a life expectancy of 3-5 years. As a conclusion, we can see that the dental techniques evolves day by day and they are trying to fulfill as much as they can, the dentists and patients problems, so this scenario with latest technology can`t be established at any time. With other words, man is the ultimate machine, so in order to a machine work near a man, it must evolve to even unknown limits.