The Glen Ellyn Illinois Dentist

Value of Low Dose Radiation Digital Panoramic X-Rays

   A patient recently asked me why I, who is usually considered to be “on the forefront” of dentistry and technology, waited so long to purchase a digital panoramic x-ray machine.  The older machines commonly used by oral surgeons and orthodontists (Dr. Gibbs’ orthodontist father had a early film version 25 years ago!) were of limited ability relative to the type of dentistry we do at Dr. Thomas Gibbs’ office.  The machine we purchase (an Instrumentarium GE OP200 with Volumetric Tomography) has the following advances:
   1.    Resolution that is vastly improved over early versions. 
   2.    Digital computer enhancement capabilities allow the x-ray image to enhance to reveal details not visible in older units.
   3.    The level of radiation is a small fraction of past units.
   4.    An enhanced ability to communicate with other specialists.
   5.    Ability to detect oral pathology and cancer at an earlier stage deeper in the jawbones.
   6.    Ability to diagnose disorders in the eruption and development of the teeth.
   7.    Patients can see an overview of their entire condition and better understand their condition.
   8.    An incredible new feature called volumetric tomography that provides 250 slices of 3-dimensional pictures of the jaws. This allows for very accurate views of  bone pathology, tooth positions, sinus pathology, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology, and accurate planning for implant surgery.  See website for more information on this feature!

   Although the cost of the unit is 2 to 5 times the cost of older or inferior units, we feel that it is worth it.  We simply waited for the best choice to evolve!

See our website and photo Gallery at SmileGlenEllyn.com for more information!

    Dr. Gibbs serves the communities of Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream, Naperville, and Lisle, Addison, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Glendale Heights, Elmhurst, Roselle, Bartlett, West Chicago, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Schaumberg, Wood Dale, Geneva, St. Charles, Warrenville, Bolingbrook, Westmont, Winfield, Villa Park, and the Chicago area.  See the website at SmileGlenEllyn.com for more information on dentistry and your health!

A New Era in Laser Dentistry!

    Welcome to the new era of drill-less comfortable dentistry!  One laser we frequently use is the Waterlase by the Biolase company, the leader in dental laser technology.  It is completely clean and quiet (No Drill Whine!).  The patient only notices water spray.

The Waterlase can be used for:

1)    Drill-less needle-free restorations.  No drill noise or numb feeling!
2)    Painless bloodless gum surgery.  Fast easy removal of frenums for recession or “tongue tied”
       persons. Can also be used for pathology biopsy and removal of “gummy” smiles.
3)    Painless removal of painful cold sores or canker sores.  Cal us—it only takes a few minutes!”
4)    Sterilization of periodontal pockets I gum disease with greatly improved periodontal healing.
5)    Laser root canals and pediatric pulptomy.
6)    Faster and more effective desentization of exposed root surfaces.

     This technology is used by only about 3% of US dentist for fillings--At Dr. Gibbs' SmileGlenEllyn office we now use the laser for a majority of tooth colored fillings!
     The new laser is part of our commitment to provide a quality dental experience in the most comfortable way possible.  It cannot be used for every procedure. For example, silver mercury would release too much toxic mercury.  It is part of an emerging revolution in dentistry.  If you questions—please feel free to ask!

What? A Laser to Detect Decay?

   Now there is a laser than can detect decay hidden beneath the surface of the teeth so that the dentist can detect the decay and a much earlier stage and treat it more conservatively.  The truth of the matter is that dentistry’s old dental pick, or explorer, detects only about 40% of the decay in the deep grooves of teeth.  As teeth have become harder though the years with the event of fluorides in water and toothpaste, the middle portion of tooth, or dentin, has remained basically the same.  What looks like a small groove to us is like a cavern to bacteria.  Some of these grooves are smaller than what the old explorers can penetrate into.
   The laser has a tip of about 0.2 mm.  When the laser light finds decay, the decay beneath starts to fluoresce.  The amount of fluoresced light reflected back correlates to the amount of decay present with an accuracy of over 95%!
   The BIG advantage of this technology is that decay can be found at the earliest moment.  At that time the decay can be treated fast, easy, and in a painless manner.  Advanced dentist now use tooth color filling to invisibly restore these, often using using a different laser (See Waterlase laser).