BROADBAND:
HELPING YOU THRIVE
All Smiles
Dr. Harold M. Rhodes and Dr. Jeffrey Gourdine Story by LISA SAVAGE
Technology changes the face of dentistry
T
he field of dentistry faces a constant battle to overcome the stigma that some patients place on dental procedures. Technology, however, increasingly makes a trip to the dentist more pleasant and even more effective. Providers can make dental impressions digitally and remove tooth decay with a laser, usually with no numbing shot needed. Patients can have a permanent crown from start to finish in about an hour with no repeat visits. Broadband internet through PRTC makes much of the technology possible and also helps dentist offices operate more efficiently through the use of digital patient files and the ability to share X-rays with other dentists and doctors through email. With the combination of broadband technology and new innovations in dental science, residents in the Lowcountry can access all the procedures they need without having to travel to larger cities.
12 | January/February 2020
DR. SHANNON PYE Some of the latest laser technology takes the drill, needle and noise out of the picture. That’s why Dr. Shannon Pye says he loves using it. “It means relatively little pain without anesthesia,” he says. The precision in treating the teeth, gum and bone means a better outcome for the patient, he says. Classified as either hard tissue or soft tissue treatments, laser dentistry is fast, accurate and usually anesthesia-free for cavity preparation, as well as bloodand suture-free for soft tissue surgeries. The motto for Solea, the laser’s manufacturer, is “Work smarter, not harder.” Pye says that’s an accurate motto, and that his patients “love the unique experience” and improved outcomes. Online upgrades from the manufacturer mean he doesn’t have to update the equipment, which keeps costs lower. “It’s like an Apple update on your phone,” says Dan Parenteau, sales manager for Convergent Dental, the equipment provider. PRTC
