There are many factors that impact the quality of the dental care you receive. The skill and experience of your dentist plays an important role, as does the quality of materials used to create your dental restorations. Equally important is the technology your dentist uses. When dental treatments are performed using the latest and most advanced technology, you'll benefit from the highest levels of precision and comfort, ensuring the best possible experience.
At Dr. Greenhalgh’s office, we utilize the most advanced dental technology in order to provide an unparalleled patient experience and provide the best possible outcome. With your comfort in mind, our rooms are equipped with Bose, noise canceling headphones – the gold standard in creating a quiet environment. Our dental technology includes:
- Photography and Magnification
- Digital Smile Design
- Tailor Digital Dentistry
- Laser Dentistry
- 3D Scans
- 3D Printer
- Stem Cell Technology
Photography And Magnification
You may not be used to having your picture taken when you visit the dentist, but when you come to our office, you should expect it. One of the main reasons Dr. Greenhalgh takes detailed photographs of your mouth is that it allows him to magnify the images to see almost microscopic details. This is true not only of visible pictures, but also of digital dental X-rays, which contain so much detail that they have much more information than traditional X-ray films.
Involving You in the Process
Another benefit of digital photography is that it allows you to see exactly what your dentist sees. Dr. Greenhalgh can call the images of your teeth up on a computer screen right next to your chair, letting you see exactly what he sees. He will explain to you what problems exist, what your treatment options are, and the benefits of each option.
This is equally true of your digital X-rays. The ability to clearly see images of the oral health issues you experience helps you to make more informed decisions about your dental care and to assess the quality of results you achieve.
Digital Smile Design
One of the most common questions we hear from patients is, "How will my smile look after the procedure?" Everyone wants to get a sense of what they’ll look like after undergoing their desired cosmetic dentistry treatment. After all, it's natural to want to know that such a significant investment of time and effort will be rewarded with a beautiful result.
Dr. Greenhalgh can give you a glimpse into the future by providing you with a digital representation of your new smile.
- First, Dr. Greenhalgh will take digital photographs of your smile in its current state
- Then, we will digitally upload your photographs for Smile Design
- Finally, we will have a series of "after" photos that provide a detailed, fully realized glimpse of what you will look like after you undergo your cosmetic procedure
Nothing in the photo will change except your teeth. This allows you to get a sense of how your new smile will work with your facial appearance.
There are several reasons why Dr. Greenhalgh uses the this procedure with cosmetic dentistry patients:
- It helps establish realistic expectations for the outcome of your procedure
- It provides you with a frame of reference as you consider your options
- It creates a shared reference point to discuss your cosmetic options
With these images, you and Dr. Greenhalgh will be able to discuss the best path forward for you. This includes the extent of a
Tailor Digital Dentistry
Dr. Greenhalgh also utilizes Tailor Digital Dentistry, which provides a temporary replica of what your smile will look like in the final result. This allows the patient to see exactly what is being created as decided by the Smile Design that is uniquely for their outcome. In some cases, Tailor Digital Bonding is utilized allowing the patient to have the Smile Design transformed into a beautiful outcome with bonding when crowns or veneers are not needed.
Laser Dentistry
Medical lasers are made for precision and controllability. Dr. Scott Greenhalgh uses a soft tissue laser which speeds up the work, enhances your comfort, and increases your safety. Our laser technology will help you achieve the best possible results on a variety of dental treatments.
Aesthetic Benefits of Dental Lasers
At Dr. Greenhalgh’s office, we offer laser gum reshaping as part of our treatment for a "gummy smile," a condition that occurs when you have excess gum tissue which makes your teeth appear uneven or too small. The laser quickly vaporizes unwanted gum tissue and minimizes bleeding at the same time. It precisely removes only a few small cell layers and then seals the area, creating a sterile surface for optimal healing.
Removal of unwanted gum tissue reveals more of the tooth tissue, giving your smile more balance and brightness. The laser is often used as part of a smile makeover to sculpt the shape of the gums and create the best possible aesthetic results.
Precision Periodontal Treatment
The soft tissue laser can selectively vaporize the inflamed tissue common in gum disease, ensuring effective removal of infected tissue without hurting healthy tissue. Dr. Greenhalgh commonly uses laser technology as part of gum disease treatments.
In addition, the laser disrupts the bacterial “biofilm,” which makes it easier for your immune system to digest the bacteria in the diseased gums. Conventional methods do not disrupt the biofilm as effectively as the laser treatment.
Cold Sore Treatment
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes virus, which can lie dormant in the nerves around your mouth and lips until something sets it off. Stress and prolonged exposure to sunlight are common causes of an outbreak.
Dr. Greenhalgh’s laser is FDA-approved for the treatment of cold sores. In just a few minutes of treatment, the laser will speed the healing and desensitize the sore lesion. You will not feel anything during this treatment. Clinical findings demonstrate that the laser treatment discourages the virus from returning to that same spot.
A number of our patients have noticed that they are less prone to cold sores than they were before having the laser treatments. It is possible that the laser therapy could actually stop the lesions entirely over time.
3D Scans
A digital scanner uses a digital process for taking impressions. No more gooey alginate for crowns and nightguards! 3D models of the mouth can be used for time lapse to show changes in recession, wear and tooth positioning over years. It provides intraoral images and can be used for Invisalign simulations. All in one scan, we can reduce the time you are here and maximize the productivity of your visit. This process has a more detailed visualization and wider viewing angles for a better patient experience and a more clear treatment plan discussion so that we can provide the best quality of care for you.
3D Printer
3D printing is used in dentistry to obtain accurate images, models and occlusal analysis of the anatomy of a patient’s teeth. An intraoral scanner captures the exact anatomy of a patient’s mouth with a 3D scan. The data from the scan is then used to construct a model of the desired anatomy.
Stem Cell Technology
Stem cells are generic cells that can divide and form specialized cells. They are the first type of cell a newly-conceived baby possesses, and they stay in the human body throughout life. Stem cells can be obtained from some body tissues and used to promote healing, such as regeneration of skin tissue after a severe burn injury. They can also help in treating some diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Dental stem cells are relatively easy to obtain and have considerable value in the development of new medical therapies. By using your own stem cells for medical treatment, there is little risk of your body rejecting them. There is also less need for accompanying drugs, which might otherwise weaken your immune system.
This newspaper article gives further detail. Dr. Greenhalgh began working with stem cell collection in March 2007.
Please contact Dr. Scott Greenhalgh using the form on this page or call 303-988-9060 today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Lakewood, Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
