Advanced Technologies

We follow the approved protocol for removing mercury amalgam fillings, established by the International Academy of Oral Medicine. In addition to a protective rubber dam, we use a hepa filter vacuum that draws the amalgam and toxic vapors away during the drilling and removal process. Additionally, we use mercury ionizers that act as magnets for any mercury that should escape into the room. Oxygen is brought into the room for added office purification and protection of staff and patients.

With the many new choices of dental materials available, we offer a variety of mercury-free options for fillings, crowns, and inlays. As older mercury amalgam fillings become worn out, we can replace them with less toxic materials that are biocompatible with the patient. These materials can also be matched to the teeth in color, looking much more natural.

The anatomy of a tooth makes it difficult to completely kill all the bacteria in and around the root of an infected tooth. In order to address this problem, we are augmenting traditional methods with the use of lasers, ozone therapy, and frequency specific micro current therapy. These methods are proving very effective in eradicating remaining microorganisms. Treatment plans for root canals emphasize a comprehensive review of the patient’s health and immune status and a discussion of all restorative options.

Our dental office is unique in that we are pioneering a new therapy to relieve pain and inflammation. Inflammation in the teeth and gums is the most serious of dental conditions, as it can spread infection to other locations in the body and lead to serious disease. For years, physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, and acupuncturists have used low-level amounts of electrical current to reduce areas of inflammation in the body.

Dr. Chalmers is in the process of developing the protocol for a similar therapy system to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain in post-surgery dental patients. One major use would be to reduce difficult-to-access root canal infections that, when left untreated, can damage other parts of the body. This therapy could also be used to heal pain and inflammation that occurs in some patients when wearing braces.

This technology allows us to measure levels of bacterial toxins and inflammation around individual teeth. It is helpful in diagnosing the periodontal disease in problem areas, such as root canals that have become infected.

Lasers are fast becoming the preferred method for soft-tissue dental surgery. We use a 980nm Soft Tissue Laser in all our soft-tissue surgeries to enhance the periodontal treatment of our patients. This technology is less traumatic than traditional surgery and reduces the amount of swelling, bleeding, and post-operative pain. Oftentimes laser surgery can be done without anesthesia, and afterwards patients heal and recover much more quickly. The laser can also be used to provide instant relief for patients suffering from canker sores.

We use a Diagnodent Diagnostic Laser to detect cavities in their earliest stages, before they can be manually detected. This benefits the patient in that decay caught when first starting can be reversed, preventing the need for fillings at a later date. This technology allows for a more thorough, comprehensive caries exam than is possible with traditional, mechanical methods, and it minimizes our need for x-rays.