Dental Technology at Our Wabash Valley Office

Dr. Jennings and his team in Terre Haute use state-of-the-art technology in every step of the dental care process to make your experience at our office more comfortable, effective, and convenient. It helps us find and treat issues in the earliest stages, create stunning, customized restorations, and make sure our patients receive the finest and most advanced treatment in dental care.

Learn more about how you’ll benefit from our advanced technology.

a girl with dark hair lays back in the dental chair and smiles as the dentist prepares to work on her teeth

Air Abrasion

Air abrasion is a drill-less and gentler approach to remove decay from the teeth. An air abrasion unit is a small instrument that blasts a fine stream of air and particles on the teeth to spray away decay. The small particles are made of silica, aluminum oxide, or baking soda and aid in cleaning the tooth surface. Air abrasion allows for decay to be quickly removed while still preserving healthy tooth structure. The particles and decay are then suctioned out of the mouth.

Air abrasion is gentle because it generates no heat, sound, pressure or vibration. It also reduces the need for anesthesia, making it an ideal choice for children and those who experience dental anxiety.

dentist points at an x-ray of a patient's mouth as the patient sits in the chair and observes

X-rays

Digital X-rays

Digital radiography uses an estimated 40-90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Digital x-rays use a digital image capture device in place of traditional film, sending an image immediately to a computer. The result is a highly-detailed image of the mouth, and its contrast and resolution can be enhanced to more easily diagnose dental problems and determine the very best treatment for each case.

This means more safety and better accuracy for you.

Panoramic X-Rays

A panoramic x-ray provides a very broad view of teeth, jaws, sinuses, jaw joints, and nasal areas. They are not designed to find cavities like other x-rays. Rather, they reveal problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, and fractures, infections, cysts, or tumors. Because of this, they are a staple technology in any oral or maxillofacial practice. Panoramic x-rays provide an accurate and trusted diagnosis so that the most viable treatment plans can be executed.

picture of the DiagnoDent system

DIAGNOdent – Cavity Detection System

While dentists are trained to detect cavities in a variety of ways, poking and prodding—even x-rays—don’t catch everything.

Diagnosing cavities in the back of the mouth using traditional methods is difficult; studies even show that 50% of cavities are left undetected in these areas. However, today’s technologies enable the location of these cavities to put a stop to further decay. 

DIAGNOdent is one of the more popular technologies, utilizing lasers for detection. This small tool is a portable laser that allows us to detect cavities on the chewing surface of the back teeth that would have otherwise gone undetected by previous methods.

The laser is easy to use, harmless, and will alert us with an audible signal if it detects a cavity. It will even calculate the approximate size of the cavity so we can better plan treatment. By using this device, you can rest assured that cavities will be accurately detected and treated in their infancy.

a woman sits in a dental chair as the dentist uses an intraoral camera in her mouth

Intraoral Cameras

Intraoral cameras, cameras about the size of a pen, help dentists see the condition of teeth and gums more clearly. This advanced technology allows us to zoom in on small diseased areas, cracks, chips, and worn metal fillings to provide a more detailed view. 

The full-color images are sent to a computer screen, making it easy to see and diagnose dental problems much earlier than with traditional dental technology. Patients are also able to watch the whole process because the images are displayed on screens in treatment rooms.

A husband and wife embrace and smile at the camera

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening is an important tool in determining your overall dental health. We use technology that helps us easily inspect hard-to-reach areas with its patented triple-wavelength imaging. The device uses white, violet, and amber wavelengths of light to excite oral tissue in distinct and unique ways. The subsequent fluorescence and reflectance help make abnormalities apparent. 

The system helps us catch abnormalities that the naked eye would miss. We can confidently recommend biopsies or other plans of action to preserve your overall health. Our system is accurate, quick, and painless. We recommend screenings for patients 17 and older.

close-up picture of a dentist's goggles with telescopic loupes

Telescopic Loupes

A dentist performs most procedures while wearing a pair of funny looking glasses called surgical telescopes. These powerful glasses have magnifiers on them, allowing the dentist to see fine details that would go unnoticed to the naked eye. This helps with accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment.

young man with platinum blond hair sitting in a dental chair smiling

Patient Education Software

You deserve to be in the loop when it comes to your dental care. There are a variety of computer programs available to help patients better understand conditions, procedures, and treatment options. Our office invests in patient education software because we want you to feel confident in every dental decision you make. This investment helps us clearly communicate and it helps you learn more.

man in a dental office sits at a table and holds a phone up to his ear

Auto Appointment Reminders

Society has made so many advances in communication in recent years—why not utilize that for appointment reminders? As dental offices go digital, reminders can go beyond the written cards or personal phone calls that are prone to human error. Systems are becoming computerized and automated, providing patients timely reminders through email and sometimes text messaging too.

Ask our staff at the front desk about the options we provide so that we can set up a reminder system that is most convenient for you.

blonde woman sits at a table with a laptop and mug in front of her and she smiles widely

Electronic Claims

Many offices utilize electronic claims processing. This means that rather than being sent through the mail, a dental claim is sent electronically to an insurance company with the click of a button. We can submit information more efficiently and with fewer errors. This benefits patients because the turn-around time on claims is faster and fewer claims are returned or denied.

We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf. Please let us know if you have any questions about the e-claim process.

Schedule an Appointment to Learn More About Our Technology

Learn what a difference advanced technology can make in your dental care. Contact our knowledgeable team to ask any questions you may have and schedule an appointment at our office in Terre Haute today.

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