Visual exams by a dentist are important, but they don't let us see what's happening deep within enamel or gum tissue. Digital x-rays allow us to find these problems when they’re small, long before they cause discomfort.

Our patients also like the safety of digital x-rays because significantly less radiation is required to produce these images compared to film x-rays. There are estimates that say digital x-rays reduce your exposure by as much as 80%!

Digital x-rays produce highly detailed images, making it easy to project them directly on our chairside monitors. Our doctors can zoom in on the image, make it larger or smaller, and even rotate it so you can immediately see what the problem is and why treatment is necessary.

Images taken with a digital x-ray can also be stored securely in your patient record. This allows easy access when reviewing your history or sending the images electronically to specialists and insurance providers. Since no chemicals are used to process digital images, they are also healthier for the environment!

You may not have spent much time thinking about the tools your dentist use.

Traditional instruments used for root canals are stainless steel manual files. However, at the office of Dan Barrett, DDS, we use rotary endodontic technology that makes your treatment smoother and more comfortable.

Rotary endodontics are electrically powered instruments equipped with a nickel titanium tip, which is up to five times more flexible than traditional stainless steel tools. This flexibility combined with the unique movement of the rotary instrument makes for a more efficient and reliable procedure.

We are always happy to invest in new technology when it will provide our patients with an accurate picture of their oral health and a better understanding of our recommendations. Until recently, there was no way for patients to see exactly what the dentist was seeing during an exam. Now, intraoral cameras provide us with the perfect tool for sharing important information about your oral health with you. 

An intraoral camera is a small handheld instrument about the size of a pen. As Dr. Barrett directs the camera over your teeth, the images are projected directly onto a computer monitor mounted next to your chair. Since you see what Dr. Barrett sees, you can better understand what the problem is, why it needs to be addressed, and what we can do to fix it. 

Anxiety about dental visits is very common. Studies indicate that up to 15% of Americans suffer from dental phobia. That’s over 30 million people!

Fortunately, dentists today are more focused than ever on patient comfort. Nitrous oxide is an effective calming gas that’s mixed with oxygen. It is administered through a small tube that fits over your nose. You don't have to do anything but sit back and breathe normally while the nitrous helps you gently relax.

One of the advantages of nitrous oxide is that it will not put you to sleep. Nitrous is designed to deliver short-term relaxation, which lasts just long enough to help you stay calm during your procedure. Our team is trained to safely administer nitrous, and we will monitor your progress throughout your appointment.

Our patients particularly like nitrous because there are no lingering effects. When we stop administering the gas, the effects dissipate quickly. You can return to work or school, and you do not need a driver to get you to and from your appointment.