Technology

Our state-of-the-art technologies ensure accuracy, efficiency, and comfort. Our dental equipment is safe, effective, and well-maintained. Some of our dental technologies include those listed below:

Air Abrasion

Our dental office is equipped with modern air abrasion technology. We utilize a small handheld device to blow a stream of air and tiny aluminum oxide particles against your tooth. This can be used to safely blast away tooth decay and remove surface stains. Air abrasion may also be used as part of a cosmetic or restorative treatment to prepare a tooth for bonding or to repair cracked or worn teeth.

To learn more about how air abrasion technology may be used to restore your smile, contact our dental office.

CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM makes dental restoration effective and efficient. First, any decay is removed from the tooth. Next, we take digital images of the tooth using 3D modeling software. This 3D model is viewed on a high definition screen as our expert dentist designs the restoration for a precise fit and aesthetically pleasing look. Once the final design is complete, the machine crafts the custom restoration from a solid block of ceramic. This creates strong and highly durable restorations.

You may be a candidate if you:

• Have been told you need a new crown, inlay, onlay or bridge
• Have a cracked tooth
• Have old failing restorations
• Have had damage or trauma to your tooth
• Are interested in replacing old metal restorations with biocompatible restorations

Dr. James Childress will decide what is appropriate for each individual case and customize a dental plan accordingly using the latest technology. At James Childress DDS, Inc. we are committed to providing the most efficient and effective innovations available. The 3D imaging technology allows our team to design a precise virtual restoration without taking impressions. This allows us to ensure restorations look great, fit perfectly, and can last for years.

We have the experience and qualifications to help you achieve a beautiful smile.

Cavitron

The Cavitron is a handheld device used in periodontal deep cleaning. While scaling can be completed by hand, the Cavitron uses ultrasonic technology to remove calculus from teeth and gums quickly, gently and effectively.

With the Cavitron, patient enjoys a more comfortable experience and time spent scaling and polishing is decreased.

Cone Beam Imaging

Cone Beam imaging is an advanced form of digital radiograph. With the cone beam imager, one simple scan will produce a 3D image of your entire maxillofacial structure. This image can then be used in diagnostics, patient education, treatment planning, and treatment follow-up.

The cone beam provides an effective solution to create quick, clear, precise images for your benefit. Additionally, the cone beam uses minimal radiation in scanning and is a much less-invasive process than other forms of imaging. This makes the cone beam an excellent choice for patients with dental anxiety or a sensitive gag reflex.

By utilizing advanced technologies like the cone beam, we can provide an effective, efficient, and comfortable patient experience for you on every visit.

DIAGNOdent

The DIAGNOdent is an advanced dental tool that uses a laser to aid in detecting tooth decay. With the DIAGNOdent, we can locate incipient cavities with pinpoint accuracy. This is especially useful in areas that can be difficult to diagnose through visual inspection or x-ray alone. The DIAGNOdent is simple, painless, and effective. With early detection, our dental team can stop decay below the surface with minimally invasive treatment.

Digital X-Rays

Our advanced digital x-rays magnify and enhance your teeth for better diagnosis and treatment. This technology allows us to take images of your teeth and display them on a computer screen quickly and easily.

With digital x-rays, we can view your teeth and surrounding structures with remarkable accuracy.  These images provide the information we need to plan your dental treatment.

Digital x-rays require much less radiation than traditional film x-rays. Digital x-rays are a safe and effective dental technology.

Intra-oral Camera

The intra-oral camera is about the size and shape of a pen. It is used to record images of your teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue from inside your mouth. Due to its small size and sleek design, it is comfortable, easy to use, and able to view a wide range of angles. The intra-oral camera is a safe and effective tool that can be used with patients of every age.

The intra-oral camera is a highly valuable resource for both diagnosis and treatment planning. Each time we use the intra-oral camera, a new disposable cover is employed. This ensures your health and safety at all times. After your exam, images captured by the intra-oral camera may be digitally stored, printed out, or deleted.

Intra-Oral Scanner

What is the secret to making a great impression? At James W. Childress D.D.S. Inc., we use our intra-oral digital scanner to ensure that the impressions we take are accurate, efficient, and comfortable every time.

Impressions are necessary for the fabrication of dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Our hand-held intra-oral scanner takes 3-dimensional digital video impressions with proven accuracy. Even the most challenging cases can be accurately scanned with our intra-oral scanner.

Another benefit to you is reduced time. When we send precise digital scans to our lab, your restorations require less preparation work and can be fabricated more quickly. This means you can have your restoration placed and be enjoying the results sooner than with traditional impression methods.

In the past, you may have experienced dental trays that filled with a soft substance that hardened into an impression of your mouth and teeth. With the intra-oral scanner’s small hand-held wand, we can take accurate digital impressions quickly and easily, without tripping your gag reflex.

Even more, as we complete your scan, you will be able to view the impression on the monitor along with us. This allows you to see more precisely why we have recommended restoration for your oral health needs.

We look forward to seeing you again at your next appointment with us. We love to make a great impression.

Panoramic X-Ray

A Panoramic x-ray machine rotates around your entire head to take a 360-degree view of your teeth, sinuses, and the bone structure of your head and jaws. This provides a more complete image than standard x-rays. Panoramic x-ray imagery is a valuable resource for Dr. Childress to use in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Soft Tissue Lasers

With soft tissue lasers at our disposal, Dr. Childress can provide precise high-quality treatments that are relatively pain-free, less invasive, and useful for a wide variety of dental treatments.

A laser is essentially a tiny beam of highly concentrated light. This beam can be used to provide pinpoint accuracy in treatments. Because the laser sterilizes the tissues and seals off blood vessels as it is used, the chance of infection or bleeding following laser treatment is minimal. The soft tissue laser is minimally-invasive but highly effective.

With the highly versatile soft tissue laser, we can seal nerve endings and blood vessels and treat soft tissues simultaneously. This creates less stress on the gums, which significantly reduces both swelling and bleeding. Moreover, by using the soft tissue laser, we can minimize patients’ discomfort both during and after the treatment and lessen their recovery time.

Davis Dentist, Dr. Childress uses soft tissue laser technology to provide our patients with precise dental care with a comfortable dental experience.

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Light

This handheld scope uses a special blue-spectrum light to scan the tissues in the mouth. This light creates distinct visual patterns on healthy and unhealthy tissues through natural fluorescence. With this screening light, we can more accurately discover potential oral cancers in early, highly treatable stages.