Laser-Assisted Dentistry

It's best to detect cavities in their earliest stages — and now it's possible to do so even before the cavities can be seen with x-rays. We use a tool called the DIAGNOdent®, a pen-sized instrument that shines a harmless laser beam on the tooth. It measures the reflected fluorescence: a healthy tooth gives off little or no fluorescence, and a cavity gives off increased fluorescence. And the sooner that your cavity is seen, the less invasive the treatment you'll need.

Digital Radiography

Everyone is familiar with the traditional type of x-rays taken at the dentist's office when you were a kid, but today there's an option that is so much better — x-rays have gone digital. Unlike x-ray films that had to be developed in a darkroom, digital x-rays are made with a small electronic sensor that takes pictures of teeth. These pictures can be enlarged without distortion, helping to make the diagnosis of your dental problems easier and more certain. The pictures can even be transmitted instantly onto a video monitor next to your treatment chair, so that you can see exactly what Dr. Hale or Dr. Downey is describing. Using digital x-rays also makes implant procedures and endodontic treatments much quicker and even safer than ever before. Last but not least, the digital technology needs 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays. Come and see the difference!

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Florida Probe System

Eighty-five percent of the adults in the United States have some degree of periodontal disease, an infectious condition involving the health of gums and bone. Warning signs for periodontal disease include:

• Gums that bleed easily
• Swollen, red or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that won't go away
• Loose teeth or teeth that are separating
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together
• Changes in the way partial dentures fit

For example, if you see "pink in the sink" — that is, your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth – you may already have gingivitis, the early stage of periodontitis. However, it's possible to have periodontal disease without experiencing any warning signs whatsoever.

An exam by an experienced dental professional such as Dr. Hale or Dr. Downey can reveal whether you're experiencing or at risk for periodontitis. Such an exam used to be conducted with a manual probe to measure the extent of gum and bone problems, but today a gentler, more accurate alternative is available: the Florida Probe System. The Florida Probe System consists of an electronic probe coupled with a computer that instantly records and charts the measurement of pockets of infection and bone loss. It's far more objective and useful than traditional methods. In addition, the Florida Probe provides readings that the patient can hear while in the chair — you can listen to your results as your exam is being conducted. Using the Florida Probe allows Drs. Downey and Hale to diagnose and treat the early stages of gum disease with extraordinary precision. And, as with every other dental problem, the sooner your gum disease is detected and treated, the better.

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Arestin®

Fighting periodontal disease is a serious matter. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss among American adults, and increasing evidence links periodontal disease to heart disease. At Hale & Downey Family Dentistry, we use Arestin® as an additional weapon against gum disease. Arestin® is an FDA-approved powder-like medication that contains microspheres of the antibiotic minocycline. It's placed inside the infected periodontal pockets and is then gradually released, fighting off the infection. With Arestin®, the antibiotic is placed only where it's needed — unlike an orally administered antibiotic that could affect your whole body. Using Arestin® also means that a second visit just for the antibiotic procedure isn't necessary. Arestin® is a safe and effective addition to the war against gum disease, and we are proud to offer it as another example of our concern for our patients' dental needs, their overall health, and their schedules.

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Integrated Computers

At Hale & Downey Family Dentistry, we've been using computers to streamline all of our procedures and integrate our state-of-the-art dental technologies since 1983. These days we’re using the KODAK PRACTICEWORKS integrated system at every chair. It enables us to have an electronic chart that tracks your history, diagnosis, and treatment, and it provides many other features that make your time with us the best that it can be. Our commitment to your dental health demands nothing less.

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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Treatment

Neglecting a jaw disorder can put undue pressure on other areas of the face, leading to facial and head pain. Headaches and facial pain are often caused by excess stress on the joints of the lower jaw, or temporomandibular joints. The tooth grinding and jaw clenching which contribute to TMJ disorders can have serious long-term effects, such as difficulty opening and closing the mouth and painful migraines.

The NTI-tss device is a small, clear mouthpiece you wear while sleeping. If you suffer from migraines, you can reduce your headaches by 77 percent or more by simply snapping the NTI-tss over your front teeth before bed. It works by reducing muscle strain on the jaw joints, relaxing the entire facial area and reducing or eliminating migraine and tension headache problems. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of TMJ disorder and would like to learn more about how the NTI-tss might be able to help you, please contact Hale & Downey Family Dentistry today.

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