4 minute read
All Smiles
Dr. Harold M. Rhodes and Dr. Jeffrey Gourdine
All Smiles
Technology changes the face of dentistry
Story by LISA SAVAGE
The 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.
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.
Dr. Shannon Pye
Another advanced technology Pye uses is digital X-rays. “That means no more chemicals in the office,” he says.
Each treatment room has a monitor to display the digital images via Wi-Fi. “We’ve got the X-rays at our fingertips, and that makes it easier to show it to the patient while we talk about what’s going on with that patient,” Pye says.
Dr. Spencer Witkin
Dr. Jeffrey Gourdine
DR. SPENCER WITKIN
Digital scanning revolutionized the way Dr. Spencer Witkin obtains a patient’s impression for a crown. Witkin uses equipment that makes the crown on-site in a day.
Previously, a patient had an impression, received a temporary crown and, two weeks later, went to the dentist’s office to get the finished crown. “Now, we can scan the tooth to get the image for the impression, design the crown and finish it right there in the office,” Witkin says. “It’s more convenient for the patient because they have fewer visits.”
If a different material is needed, he sends the digital impression to a lab by email. He also sends X-rays and other images as needed to other dentists or physicians. PRTC’s internet means speeds fast enough to do anything he needs. “If we need to use email to send an X-ray, it’s not a problem,” he says.
Fast internet also allows the office staff to file insurance claims for the patient, further speeding up the process. “The technology is definitely making a difference for our practice and for our patients,” Witkin says. “It’s our goal to make a visit to the dentist as pleasant as possible.”
COLLETON DENTAL ASSOCIATES
For over three decades Dr. Harold Rhodes of Colleton Dental Associates has practiced at his dental office in Walterboro. Dr. Jeffrey Gourdine joined the practice in 2004.
“We are dedicated to providing the highest quality dental health care for our patients in a professional, compassionate and comfortable environment,” Rhodes says.
All the dentists and hygienists in the practice are well-trained and practice with the patients’ needs and concerns in mind. “Because dentistry is constantly evolving and changing, our staff attends continuing education classes and lectures to ensure we are abreast with the latest developments in the industry,” Gourdine says.
Rhodes and Gourdine use some of the latest technology available with cone-beam 3D imaging, a relatively new development that allows dentists to see clear, detailed, 3D images of teeth, as well as bones, soft tissues and nerves. The images are comparable to a CT scan’s image quality, providing the clearest possible picture of a patient’s mouth.
Colleton Dental Associates also uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing for same-day procedures, and a laser for hard- and soft-tissue treatments. In the past, patients had to make a few visits to the office when they needed a procedure, Rhodes says.
Rhodes says a technically trained staff utilizing these techniques is his greatest asset. “Employing these technological advances necessitates faster internet speeds, and we’re ecstatic that PRTC could meet the demand,” says Rhodes, a customer with PRTC since 1989.
— Dr. Harold Rhodes
