Technology

Digital x-rays produce highly-detailed images and are invaluable for diagnosing and planning treatment, but there are cases Dr. Baller needs a more comprehensive image that shows us the structures of your mouth.

One of the most amazing advances in technology is 3-D Cone Beam Computed Tomography or CBCT for short. It adds value to our practice because it assists Dr. Baller in planning procedures like dental implant placement, root canals, and extractions. The results are more efficient and precise treatment and better long-term outcomes.

CBCT produces 3-D images that show the anatomical structures of your mouth. This is invaluable information, such as the position of your sinuses and your root canals. Because Dr. Baller can visualize soft tissue, nerve pathways, and bone density, she can plan procedures with a high degree of precision and accuracy.

Providing the highest standard of dental care would not be possible without dental x-rays. There is much more to your oral health than what we can see with a visual examination, and digital dental x-rays show us the big picture.

With digital x-rays, our dentist can see deep inside your teeth and under your gums where decay and periodontal disease commonly develop. Because they are digital, modern x-rays are highly-detailed and allow Dr. Baller to plan the safest, most appropriate treatment.

Digital x-rays also allow us to bring you into the diagnostic process. When we display your x-rays on your chairside monitor, Dr. Baller can point out problem areas to help you understand why we recommend treatment. It’s one thing to be told you have a cracked filling, but seeing it with your own eyes brings you into the process and empowers you to make informed treatment decisions.

Your digital x-rays become a permanent part of your patient history and are easily accessible anytime we need to refer to them or share with specialists and insurance companies.
Using digital x-rays is also gentler on our planet because there are no hazardous chemicals to dispose of. 

If you have dental anxiety, you probably have certain triggers, like the thought of injections or a high-speed drill. Among all the many amazing things that laser dentistry does, it removes these triggers. In some cases, there’s no need for anesthetics to perform comfortable procedures.

Laser dentistry allows Dr. Baller to be very precise when removing damaged or decayed tissue. The conservative nature of treatment with dental lasers is crucial because it allows us to preserve more healthy tooth structure than invasive drilling.

Not only does laser dentistry improve the quality of the work we provide, but it also allows us to be more productive. The result is more efficient treatment and the ability to perform procedures that other dental offices might refer to a specialist. Take a look at all the ways Dr. Baller uses laser dentistry in Aurora:

• Frenectomy (tongue and lip tie)
• Gingivectomy
• Cavities without numbing
• Bacterial disinfection 
• Peri-implantitis
• Sleep apnea
• Facial skin resurfacing
• Lip plumping
• Wrinkle reduction
• Pigmented lesion removal

Remember the last time you had dental impressions taken? You probably had to sit with a large metal tray filled with goopy impression paste clutched between your teeth, waiting patiently for it to set. These impressions were not always accurate and, worse yet, they were often uncomfortable for the patient. The iTero 3-D Digital scanner not only eliminates this unpleasant step but also gives us a much more precise representation of your teeth.

The iTero Digital Scanner produces a digital map, which Dr. Baller uses to create 3-D images of your mouth. As she scans your mouth, you can view the images as they appear on your chairside monitor. Digital scanning technology allows us to produce a highly accurate and detailed model of your teeth that we then use to plan treatment for Invisalign and dental restorations.

We understand how challenging it is for some of our patients to seek oral health care. Memories of a bad experience in the past or triggers like the sights and sounds of a dental office can be overwhelming, but there is a better way.

Sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), helps even the most nervous patients relax and get the quality dental care they need. Because nitrous oxide is a gas, we administer it through a small nasal mask. As you inhale, you will start to feel very calm and relaxed, and we continue administering the gas during your procedure.
At the end of your procedure, we turn off the nitrous and switch to pure oxygen for several minutes. You will leave our office with a clear head and no drowsy side effects, allowing you to drive yourself safely home from your appointment.

Nitrous oxide is safe and gentle and can be used for adults and children.

Until recently, the only way to take dental impressions was to use a gooey pink paste in a large metal tray that patients had to bite down on until the material was set. These impressions were not always accurate and, worse yet, they were often uncomfortable for the patient.

Our iTero Digital Scanner not only eliminates this unpleasant step but also gives us a much more precise representation of your teeth. Digital scanning technology produces a digital map that Dr. Baller uses to create 3-D images of your mouth. While she scans your mouth with iTero, you can view the images as they appear on your chairside monitor. 

Using a digital scanner allows us to produce a highly accurate and detailed model of your teeth that Dr. Baller then uses to plan treatment for orthodontic treatment and dental restorations like crowns and bridges.