Different technologies are being used increasingly in dentistry, and with good reason; they improve your comfort by streamlining your treatment and help us deliver the most favorable long-term treatment outcomes. Dr. Darin Bateman is a dedicated professional who has taken countless hours of continuing education and pursued advanced training in many areas. His knowledge and skill, combined with our leading-edge technology, ensures that we will provide you with the best that dentistry has to offer.
Please take a few moments to look at the different types of technology and how they benefit you. If you have questions, or you're ready to schedule an appointment, please call our Azle, TX dental office to arrange an appointment.
Digital X-Rays
We take dental x-rays as needed to diagnose conditions or to update your patient history. While visual exams are essential, they only tell us part of the story.
Dr. Darin Bateman uses digital dental x-rays of your teeth to see what is happening inside your tooth. Many dental problems start to develop inside your teeth or under your gums, making dental x-rays invaluable for giving us the big picture.
Digital x-rays capture images of the inside of your teeth using low levels of radiation. These x-rays help Dr. Bateman identify problems like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and impacted teeth.
We always use a lead apron for protection, but you are exposed to about 80 percent less radiation with digital x-rays than you are with traditional film x-rays. Also, since the images are digital, Dr. Bateman can view them with you on your chairside monitor. He can zoom in and enlarge or rotate the image, so you have a clear picture of what is happening and why we recommend treatment.
If you have questions about dental x-rays or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Eagle Mountain Family Dental at (817) 444-3890
Intraoral Cameras
An intraoral camera is a small handheld digital camera that Dr. Bateman directs over your teeth during your dental exam. As he does, the images appear in real-time on your chairside monitor. There's no more mystery about what the dentist is talking about because you can see the problem for yourself.
Understanding your oral health and making treatment decisions is so much easier when you have the complete picture. Intraoral cameras at our Azle, TX dental office open the door to include you in the decision-making process. With intraoral cameras, you become an active part of the process of identifying and diagnosing problems and determining the best course of treatment for your needs.
We can save the images to your digital patient record so we can refer to them in the future or send them to insurance companies and specialists as needed.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a time-tested solution for calming patients during their dental procedure. It’s been safely used for over 100 years and is even mild enough to use with children.
Also called inhalation dental sedation, nitrous oxide is a gas that’s mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small nasal mask. Breathe normally, and in just a few moments, you will start to feel very calm and relaxed. You may feel euphoric, and the activity around you will seem far away. The goal of nitrous oxide is not to put you to sleep, although you may feel drowsy. The effects of nitrous leave your body quickly so that you can drive yourself home from your appointment.
Panoramic X-Rays
A standard digital x-ray captures a view of a few teeth and the supporting bone structure, which is all we require in most cases. In some cases, however, Dr. Bateman needs to see the bigger picture, and that is when he would recommend a panoramic x-ray. A panoramic x-ray is a single image that gives us a view of your upper and lower dental arches. It includes all your teeth, your upper and lower jaw, and surrounding facial structures.
In addition to diagnosing cavities and gum disease, we use panoramic x-rays to:
- Evaluate for orthodontics and track progress during treatment
- Evaluate the jaw joint (TMJ) to diagnose disorders
- Monitor wisdom teeth development
- Detect oral cancer, dental abscesses, cysts, and tumors
Taking panoramic images is comfortable and non-invasive. Just stand in front of the machine while it rotates around your head in a semi-circle. The high-definition images are immediately available for review by our dentist.
Digital Records
At Eagle Mountain Family Dental, we strive to streamline your treatment and provide you with the best possible outcomes. Digital dentistry helps us accomplish that goal, and today we can store all your x-rays, intraoral images, and comprehensive patient records on our secure in-house network.
Your information is readily available, and we can easily access it as needed for diagnosing or monitoring dental conditions. We can also share your records electronically with specialists and insurance companies as needed.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
A CBCT is an imaging technique that allows Dr. Bateman to evaluate your jawbone in three dimensions allowing for more precision in treatment planning implants. The image will show where the nerves are as well as the position of the sinuses. Dr. Bateman thoroughly interprets these images and will let you know if there is adequate bone and space for an implant or if a separate procedure (such as sinus lift or bone graft) is necessary prior to implant placement.