Patient Services: Dental Technology

Your enjoyable dental experience depends on your comfort and safety. With modern dental technology and up-to-date techniques, as well as a commitment to continuing education, Dr. Clarke and her dental team can give you treatment that feels great, looks natural, and takes less time than ever before. You'll receive care that is minimally invasive and often, virtually pain-free. This is the way dentistry should be.

Digital Radiographs (X-rays)

Digital radiographs (X-rays) are a perfect example of the many ways advanced technology ensures your comfort and safety like never before. Digital radiographs provide Dr. Clarke and her team with instant images to use in mapping your teeth and in diagnosing any problem areas. You won't have to wait for old-fashioned film processing. Additionally, digital radiographs produce a high-definition picture, while exposing you to less radiation than traditional X-rays — another way this technology makes an already safe process even safer for you! Finally, digital images can be archived electronically in our computer system. This way Dr. Clarke and her team can keep them for future reference without the materials or space needed for physical files. This is better for the environment and significantly speeds up your overall experience!

DIAGNOdent®

The DIAGNOdent® is a new, high-tech tool that allows us to find cavities on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, even when they are just beginning cavities that would have been missed by previous detection methods. The DIAGNOdent® is a small, portable laser unit that detects the cavity and alerts us with an audible signal and a numerical readout, so that we have an idea of the cavity's size. The value is that we can stop cavities in their infancy, whereas in the past they would have to be significantly bigger before we could find and treat them. Just like other areas of medicine and dentistry, early detection and treatment is of immeasurable value in preserving your health.

Intraoral Camera

An intraoral camera allows us to work with you as a team to meet your dental care goals. You can see what we see in your mouth. Our intraoral camera displays your teeth on a chairside monitor, showing any areas of decay, cracks in your teeth, broken fillings, and much more. It is one of the most powerful tools we have to help you understand the treatment you will receive and why it is necessary. We believe informed patients make great decisions about their oral healthcare, so we encourage your questions and are eager to discuss your treatment options with you. We want you to picture how your appearance will improve with dental care, giving you all the more reason to smile.

Digital Photography

Digital photography gives Dr. Clarke instant images for use in diagnosing your condition or in tracking your progress. Dr. Clarke can also utilize digital photographs for cosmetic imaging, helping you to see what positive changes dental treatment can have on your smile. Digital images can be saved electronically and are more efficient than traditional photographs that show less detail and take time to develop.

Sedation Dentistry in San Diego Ca

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is one of the safest and most predictable sedative agents available in dentistry and has been used safely for decades. The odorless gas is administered with a mixture of oxygen and helps you relax within a few minutes. Because it is a mild sedative, you will be awake and can still communicate with us during treatment. After treatment, the nitrous oxide is turned off, and oxygen is administered for five-to-ten minutes to help flush any remaining gas from the body. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects, although some patients may experience minor nausea or dizziness, which can quickly be reversed with oxygen, if necessary. It is best not to eat heavily immediately before breathing nitrous oxide as this can sometimes lead to a greater chance of nausea during or after treatment. Afterwards, it is also a good idea to limit any activities that require your full coordination. However, most patients leave with a spring in their step, and a great smile!

Dr. Clarke can also prescribe medications for patients as another option to Nitrous. Ask Dr. Clarke for more details on what medications may be right for you on your next visit. For sedation dentistry in San Diego Ca contact us today.

The Wand

The Wand is a pen-like anesthetic delivery system that is faster, more precise and more comfortable than traditional needle and syringe "shots." By delivering the anesthetic at a controlled rate, The Wand avoids the rush of anesthetic through the needle point, which is typically to blame for discomfort and pain in traditional shots. Technology like The Wand helps make your experience with Dr. Clarke especially unique.