When most people picture a dental visit, they imagine a drill, scary-looking tools, and goopy stuff used to take impressions. It’s no wonder so many folks put off making an appointment. But modern dentistry has changed. A lot. At Howard County Smiles, we’ve invested in technology that makes your visits faster, more comfortable, and more accurate. And we’re not talking about gadgets for their own sake. Every tool we use has a purpose: to give you better care with less hassle.
Here’s a look at some of the technology you’ll find in our Columbia, MD, dental office and what it means for you.
CEREC: Same-Day Crowns (No More Temporaries)
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. That’s a mouthful, so we just call it CEREC.
Instead of sending your crown off to a lab and waiting two weeks with a temporary crown, we design and create your permanent crown right here in the office. We take a digital scan of your tooth, design the crown on a computer, and mill it from a solid block of ceramic. The whole process takes about an hour.
Dr. Ray Becker was the first dentist in Maryland to use CEREC technology back in 1991. Today, he’s the longest-serving CEREC user in the world, having completed over 45,000 restorations. When you get a crown at Howard County Smiles, you’re getting it from one of the world’s most experienced CEREC dentists.
Digital Impressions: Say Goodbye to the Goop
Remember that tray full of pink goo your old dentist used to take impressions? We don’t use it. Instead, we use a digital scanner. It’s a small wand that glides over your teeth, capturing thousands of images per second. We stitch those images together to create a highly accurate 3D model of your mouth.
No mess. No gagging. And no waiting for the material to set. Just a quick, comfortable scan that gives us a perfect digital replica of your teeth.
Digital X-Rays: Safer, Faster, Clearer
Traditional X-rays use film and require more radiation. Digital X-rays are different. They use significantly less radiation, up to 80% less, and the images are available instantly on a computer screen.
But the real benefit is what we can see. Digital X-rays give us a clearer, more detailed view of your teeth and bones. We can zoom in, adjust contrast, and spot problems earlier. That means we can catch issues while they’re small and easier to treat.
Laser Dentistry: Precision Without the Drill
Lasers aren’t just for sci-fi movies. We use dental lasers for a range of treatments, including periodontal therapy for gum disease. Lasers allow us to remove infected tissue with incredible precision, targeting only the problem areas and leaving healthy tissue alone.
This often means less discomfort, less bleeding, and faster healing. Many patients who’ve had traditional gum surgery tell us laser treatment feels completely different.
The Anesthesia Wand: Comfort You Can Feel
If you’ve ever dreaded a needle at the dentist, you’re not alone. That’s why we use the anesthesia wand. It looks different from a traditional syringe and, more importantly, delivers anesthesia slowly and evenly. Most patients don’t even feel it as it goes in.
For nervous patients, this small change makes a big difference.
Why We Invest in Technology
We don’t invest in technology because it’s cool or trendy. We invest because it helps us care for you better:
- Faster appointments.
- More accurate results.
- Less discomfort.
- Fewer visits.
Those are the things that matter.
Dr. Ray Becker has helped develop dental technology for decades. He’s a member of Sirona’s development team and an international instructor. He doesn’t just use the tools; he helps improve them.
Experience the Difference at Howard County Smiles
If it’s been a while since your last dental visit, you might be surprised by how much has changed. At Howard County Smiles, we combine a warm, welcoming atmosphere with the latest technology to give you the best possible experience.
Call our office today at (410) 415-9013 to schedule your appointment. We’d love to show you what modern dentistry can do.
