3D Dentistry

One of the first steps you can take towards a successful procedure is to become an educated consumer.

Read about patient safety and see how we have made the smartest choices to protect you by investing in our advanced care center, where your procedure will be performed.

While we offer a multitude of modern treatments and advanced technologies, the most significant example of our commitment to advanced diagnostics & patient safety is our investment in 3D/4D dentistry. At our office dental anatomy can be explored in all dimensions with 3D/4D imaging technology. This technology enables us to give you a more accurate diagnosis, followed by treatments that are optimally comfortable, safe, and predictable.

 

“77% Reduction In Image Dose Without A Statistical Reduction In Image Quality”

Patient Safety is Our First Priority.

What is “One Dimension” Vs. “Multiple Dimensions?”
When attempting to determine the value of 1D versus 3D imaging, imagine how unsure you would be purchasing a home after simply looking at a few pictures. Of course you would be more confident in your evaluation if you could walk through each room and around the outside of the home. With advanced 3D dentistry, Dr Landers has more than a one-plane or 1D picture of your dental anatomy. You and Dr Landers can view, manipulate, and travel through it. It’s just better! Now that this advanced technology is here, let’s use it to help you find the best treatments available.

3D/4D Second Opinions
3D/4D dental images can help a doctor save your teeth… its even possible that 3D/4D diagnostics can save your life. 3D/4D images are extremely accurate and provide much more diagnostic information then traditional 1D X-rays. This additional information may lead to more conservative treatments or additional treatment options that you may not have received in the past.

Remember, the doctor is not just looking for dental disease that can cause problems, but also, in the case of a second opinion, Dr. Landers reviews 3D/4D images with the hope to rule out pre-diagnosed dental problems, which may or may not exist. Just another example of how we give our patients the best chance to save teeth. In short, advanced diagnostics guides you to the correct diagnosis.

Dr Landers wanted root cracks mentioned as an example because over the years he has saved many teeth, which were previously diagnosed with a root crack. Traditionally root cracks were diagnosed from an oral exam, clinical testing, and 1D X-rays. Sometimes the tooth crack is visible clinically and as a result it’s easily to diagnose. But all too often a “tooth crack diagnosis” is presented based on patient symptoms and without definitive diagnostic images of the crack. With clinical diagnostics only, all to often, patients are told they need a tooth extraction and then a dental implant. If this is you or a loved one please call us for a second opinion.

“Its Our Goal To Save Your Teeth.”

Important to note, clinical symptoms characteristic of a root crack can be the result of other dental problems and you may unknowingly spend a lot of money and lose a healthy tooth for no good reason.

For dental problems in general, 3D/4D images are tremendously valuable for proper diagnosis. At the least, you have an accurate diagnosis and peace of mind that you are choosing the correct treatment.

Lets Get To The Point… 3D/4D Treatments & Patient Benefits

Now that you better understand of 3D/4D imaging, let’s review the amazing treatments and patient benefits now available with the new technology at our advanced Care center.

3D/4D Advanced Implant Diagnosis & Safe Surgical Placement

3D Implant Planning Before Treatment Begins

• 3D Nerve Location & 3D Nerve Tracking for Safe Implant Placement.
• 3D Sinus (Air Space) location verses availability of tooth supporting bone for implant.
• Planning for Implant strength & long-term stability vs. 3D evaluation available tooth supporting bone, verves, and anatomical structures.

3D Computerized Surgically Guided Implant Placement

• “Teeth in A Day” In one visit, you walk out with natural looking teeth affixed to newly placed dental implants. Immediate Function!
• 3D Computerized Guided Implant Placement
• Computerized 3D Implant Provisional Design and Fabrication

 
Guided Surgical Implant Placement
After Dr Landers finishes with pre-treatment computerized planning (implant placement on a computerized 3-D software), the software creates & saves a digital file or record of the implant position. The digital file is transformed via stereolithography (a form of 3D printing technology) to form an oral appliance used to guide and accurately place your implants the day of your surgical procedure. In short, your implants are accurately and safely placed in the position previously chosen in the 3D dental software.

Our 3D scans are a diagnostic benefit for Dr Landers and creates an opportunity to communicate to other specialties outside of dentistry. At the push of a button, your scan can be sent to an ear, nose and throat specialist. This is a patient benefit because sinus pain and symptoms and tooth pain and symptom are often similar. As a result, Dr Landers may want to consult with a specialist to rule out sinus problems.

Or maybe you need a dental implant or Sinus lift bone graft on your top back teeth. If questionable sinus issues are present you and Dr Landers can decide to get a specialized second opinion before the dental procedure.

Pharyngeal Airway Evaluation In Sleep Apnea

• Pharyngeal Airway Evaluation In Sleep Apnea Patients 3D Airway Volume Renderings

TMJ Jaw/Joint Relationships

• TMJ Jaw/Joint Relationships & Analysis (4D Jaw Motion Tests)

Advanced Periodontal Gum Disease (Tooth Supporting Bone Evaluation)

Advanced gum disease can mean complete and total tooth loss. And a diagnosis to extract all of your teeth and replace them with dental implants. But sometimes this is not the CLEAR CHOICE, as some other dental offices may lead you to believe. We are a second opinion Dental office. We use 3D dental diagnosis, which often results in a custom treatment plan. For some this means saving all or at least some of their teeth. In all cases, 3d dentistry leads to a definitive diagnosis based visual inspection of tooth supporting bone in all 3-dimensions.

Nice to know….

Many of our patients come to us for second opinions. We have noticed a pattern whereby patients with complex dental problems are offered one choice: extractions and implant dentures. Dr Landers does gum treatments to save teeth, appropriately offer restorative options, and if your teeth are not savable he will offer you multiple modern dental implant options (not just one). As evidence of our commitment to offer conservative treatments check out our Dental Implant Smile gallery.

Side note

If gum disease has advanced to the level of tooth loss, most of our patient want to be 100% sure their teeth cannot be saved before teeth are removed. 3d imaging will show the tooth supporting bone in all 3-dimesions. Which means accurate diagnosis. If its determined that teeth can be saved, Dr Landers would like to evaluate the Tooth Supporting Bone in order to plan for the Gum Surgery (needed to remove disease and to save the teeth). In short, advanced diagnostics guides you to the correct diagnosis. And helps you to feel confident with your decision to move forward with needed treatments.

Emergency Trauma Evaluation: For Teeth And Bone Fractures

While its not a pleasant topic dental emergencies can happen to anyone. At our office patients are protected by our investment in 3D Dentistry, which when needed will lead to quick and accurate diagnosis.

Anywhere in the World
Doctors and patients have the convenience of sharing an enormous amount of 3D/4D diagnostic information around the world with the press of a button. These images can be shared with other dental specialists and dental service providers such as: invisalign, orthodontic growth experts, dental labs, dental universities, hospitals, military organizations, etc. It’s hard to believe that some dental offices use digital imaging technologies that cannot integrate with other dental offices or with other dental software. What you are receiving is “Open-Architecture Software,” which integrates with most third-party software and equipment for streamline digital workflow. This protects you and Dr Landers now and in the future, so that you can receive the best treatment available from any service, lab, and current or future dental software.

1:1 Anatomically Accurate 3D/4D Images

Promax computerized robotic arm and Parallel sensor positions allow for precise 3D/4D images that are 1:1 anatomical ratio. This anatomically accurate information can be manipulated in specialized dental software allowing for treatments which are truly amazing. We have shared a few of these computerized treatments in the section above called: “3D/4D Treatments & Patient Benefits.”

In the past, 1D dental images were not 1:1 and were most often distorted. Most of these 1D dental x-ray images are created by placing film packets or bulky digital sensors in a patient mouth under the tongue or against the roof of the mouth.

The Sensor is placed at an angle because the bone on the top of the mouth limits ideal position relative to the tooth axis. As a result of the angulation of the sensor the dental images are distorted.

The image above shows the ideal sensor position relative to the axis of the tooth. It is impossible to achieve this position due to the anatomical limitation of the bone. As the clinician try’s to position the sensor to an aligned position with the axis of the tooth, it hits the top of the mouth and if forced will cause pain.

Side Note: 1D image distortion is often a result of human sensor position errors, or an inability to orally position the sensor in an ideal relationship with the tooth, bone or nerve. The later is due to the fact that the sensor position is limited by: oral structures like the tongue, bone (See Image 1 Angled Receptor) and tissue attachments on the floor & top of the mouth. Not to mention uncomfortable sensor pressure or pinching, which may cause pain for patients.

Now 3D/4D touchless x-rays are created by a computerized parallel sensor technology. The results are clear, painless, and accurate 1:1 1D/2D/3D/4D low dose images. These new images are incrementally the same size as your corresponding dental anatomy. The same exact size means accurate measurements and a precise, predictable diagnostics. This has opened a window of technological advances, which now allow for optimal, advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge computerized treatments, and consequent optimal patient safety.

Example of computerized treatments: It’s hard to believe but now dental implant placement can be done on a computer before your treatment begins. Our dental software displays a 1:1 3D image of nerves, bone, and oral tissues that can be manipulated by the doctor in real time 3D. This computerized technology allows for.

Scout/Auto Focus™ + Robotic Arm *SmartPan™ Systems
Our 3D/4D technology reduces patient exposure dose in many ways. Our 3D/4D SmartPan optionally takes low dose, 2D scout images, in order to position you prior to exposure. This is simply a smart computerized technology. An extremely low dose pre-scan Scout will allow the doctor to make certain the area of interest is properly within focus before the regular scan begins. Patients who have lived a life with dental problems will tell you that doctors will often take and re-take x-rays from different angles to see the same problem. In short, this pre-scan scout drastically cuts down on the amount of retakes required.

Resolution Is Fully Adjustable & Adjustments are Based On The Diagnostic Needs Of The Type Of Dental Problem

• Low
• Normal
• HD
• High

One Scan Two Images
Our ProMax 3D/4D unit can take a 3D image and the Romexis imaging software will save the 3D image and then convert the 3D image into 2D or 1D images. Multiple views and diagnostic benefits from one image because the image is 1:1.

Robotic Arm Selectively Compliant Articulation
(Patented SCARA™ Technology)
This revolutionary technology enables precise free-flowing arm movements, permitting a variety of imaging programs not possible with other fixed rotation 3D units. Robotic arm technology is important because images can be more accurate with less exposure.

Volume Control Selection, Calibration, & Filter
Depending on your diagnostic needs, scan size and clarity is adjusted. From a one tooth detailed crack scans to Full Face growth and development low resolution scans, it’s all customizable with the ProMax Mid 3D/4D image technology.

77% Less Exposure *Certified ALARA Principle
Achieve up to a 77% reduction in image dose without a statistical reduction in image quality – patient safety is a first priority.

ProMax 3D Mid follows the clinical values that emphasize the use of the least amount of exposure to achieve the best results possible. This commitment to “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” or the ALARA principle keeps both dentist and patient safe and is the premise of PLANMECA’s X-ray equipment. The ability to use the least amount of radiation possible is made possible by PLANMECA’s patented Selectively Compliant Articulated Robotic Arm technology built into its ProMax platform. This robotic arm allows for precise imaging anywhere in the maxillofacial/cranial region and eliminates exposure to areas not needed for diagnosis.

“Touch Less” & “Pain Free” X-rays
Sensors are not placed in your mouth so there is no pressure pinching or pain on the side or your tongue, oral tissues, and/or on the bone on the roof or floor of your mouth.

Convenience For Our Patients

We are a scanning center
Our patients don’t need to travel before, after, or in the middle of treatment. Our dental imaging is faster, more accurate, and more comfortable than traditional x-ray imaging technologies. More accurate treatment diagnosis means, better treatments, less treatment side effects, & less trips back to the dentist.

Complete & Predictable Dental Implant Work Flow
Some dental treatments especially implant cases are very complex and require multiple steps. During complex treatments additional images may be needed to confirm accuracy of therapy. At our office there is no disruption in workflow. Additionally, 3D/4D imaging and modern dental software allow for planning with dental labs, and other dental service providers, which creates a predictable seamless workflow.

1D 2D 3D & 4D Image Types & Resolution
There are many different types, angles, volumes/sizes, & resolutions needed for dental images. Each type has it own specific diagnostic benefit. We offer all dental imaging from touch less “Bitewings” for diagnosing dental caries to 3D/4D Jaw joint scans, & 3D nerve tracking for patient safety during implant placement. One office for all of your needs. Our patients love this convenience.

Digital Impressions

• Cast Model 3D Scanning
• 3-D Smile Design & Proface 3-D Facial Photography