Advanced Technology

Precision Dentistry

When you seek care at our office, you are assured that Dr. Horton and Dr. Vranas and their staff utilize the latest in technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care. Our practice uses high power magnification optics to enhance the precision of patient care. Dentistry is micro-surgery. Using magnification that is similar to the one an ophthalmologist uses enables us to create dental restorations with incredibly precise fit and finish. You just can’t fulfill that level of care with the naked eye.

SAME DAY DENTISTRY WITH CAD/CAM Technology

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has been revolutionizing many industries, including dentistry. Remember when it used to take two separate appointments to get a dental crown? Even just a few years ago, patients had to endure mouthfuls of messy impression materials and wearing temporaries for weeks at a time. Now, with our Cerec system, it is all a thing of the past!

We can now complete beautiful restorations like crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers in-office, in only one appointment.

• Benefits for our patients:
• Safe and simple procedure
• One appointment
• Advanced laser technology provides absolute precision
• No need for temporary restorations
• No unpleasant or messy impressions

Our Cerec system allows us to replace conventional impression methods with a clean, fast digital scan that is obtained in just a few minutes through a series of photographic images taken in the mouth. Combining this scanned data with our advanced software, we’re able to design a custom, permanent restoration. A milling unit then fabricates your restorative design quickly and conveniently, right in our dental office.

Your final result is a natural-looking restoration of superior strength that perfectly matches the surrounding teeth. The elimination of impressions, temporaries, and second appointments enhances the entire dental experience for our patients. As an added bonus, many of our patients love watching their new tooth come to life in the milling unit right in front of their eyes!

Digital Imaging

Dr. Horton and Dr. Vranas choose carefully which and when radiographs are taken. There are many guidelines that we follow. Radiographs allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. Radiographs enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs. Dental radiographs are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental radiographs is extremely minimal. Dr. Horton and Dr. Vranas utilize Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, exposure time is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs. Digital imaging can also help us retrieve valuable diagnostic information. We may be able to see cavities before they become large areas of decay. Digital imaging allows us to store patient images, and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.

Digital X-Rays:

Digital X-rays offer more precision since we view the image on a computer monitor. One advantage of digital radiography is that it uses up to 90% less radiation than traditional dental x-rays. These digital x-rays can be sent electronically to any specialist or insurance company on your behalf. Digital x-rays use no chemicals for developing or processing (environmentally friendly).

Intraoral Camera

Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing. Dr. Horton and Dr. Vranas utilize intraoral camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera – in some cases, just a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis. With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations. This can mean faster diagnosis with less chair-time for you! Intraoral cameras also enable our practice to save your images in our office computer to provide a permanent record of treatments. These images can be printed for you or emailed to specialists, and your dental laboratories, or insurance companies.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Drs. Horton or Vranas at our St. Charles office phone number