The advance in dental technology today has allowed many positive changes in the dental industry. At Dr. Whipple’s office we use the latest techniques and equipment that is available in order to help our patients achieve dental excellence. With the utilization of digital x-rays, intra-oral cameras and ultrasonic scalers, we are able to provide our patients with comprehensive preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry to enhance their oral health and increase their feeling of self-worth.

Digital X-Rays
Fingers holding an x-ray of patients teeth. X-Rays are an incredible tool. It allows us to be able to detect problems that we can not see with the naked eye. With the advancement of digital x-rays, the patient is now able to see the images on a screen next to their chair, we are able to enlarge spots and with a view at a much higher resolution, we see much more clearly than the traditional slides you may remember.

Intra-Oral Camera
A computer screen showing a tooth inside a patient’s mouth. At Dr. Richard A. Whipple’s office, we use intra-oral cameras to help foster a feeling of trust in our dental care. The toothbrush sized camera fits neatly inside your mouth and allows us to portray issues that are occurring in your mouth on a large screen right in front of you. This allows you to have a bird’s eye view of issues that occur in between your teeth and at the gum line that are not visible to the naked eye and may not even be causing you any current pain. A few of the issues that we can find with the intra-oral camera include broken fillings, fractured teeth and decay. As we view the images together, we can also discuss the need for treatment, coming up with a comprehensive plan that you are comfortable with, right away.

DIAGNOdent Laser
One of our preventive diagnostic tools is the DIAGNOdent Laser. This advanced laser can detect tooth decay far before they would show on an x-ray or visual inspection. This allows Dr. Whipple to repair the decayed tooth as early as possible.

UltraSonic Scalers
An UltraSonic Scaler a machine that vibrates a thin tip to remove plaque. Advanced technology has also helped us to provide more thorough adult dental cleanings. The UltraSonic scalers that we use in the office help to break down plaque and calculus that builds up on your teeth. The ultrasonic machine provides a more efficient cleaning by creating small bubbles that explode on the surface of your teeth. This helps to remove microbes, plaque and tartar, reducing your risk for gingivitis and periodontal disease. The ulstrasonic cleaners are perfect for getting into hard to reach places and in between teeth, which are the areas that are the hardest for you to thoroughly clean on your own.

Ultrasonic scalers are completely safe. They do not use any chemicals and do not cause any damage to the surface of your enamel. In fact, the process is much more comfortable than manual scraping, which can be uncomfortable for the patient. Ultrasonic cleaning is often the preferred method for patients that have sensitive teeth or have a mild dental phobia.

Sterilizing Techniques
Sterilization is a top priority in our office. In order to ensure a thorough process, we use steam sterilizers that are monitored on a weekly basis to ensure that every instrument that we use is completely sterilized and safe for use on our patients.

For more information, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at (503) 620-6133.