Question:
What are some of the modern technological advances that dentists are
currently using. I've heard of KCP, but I'm not sure what it is. I've also
heard of the Denti-patch that works like an anesthetic. What about the
procedure that removes cavities using a paste, without a drill? Any
information would be appreciated. Also can anyone suggest a dentist in the
Virginia Beach area that might be using one of these new techniques.
Answer:
What you are interested in is called air abrasion. A product manufactured by
american dental technologies is called the KCP. Air abrasion is like a tiny
sand blaster that uses harmless aluminum oxide dust to prep cavities. Call
your dentist and ask him if he uses air abrasion.
The Denti-Patch is a topical anesthetic delivered
through the vehicle of a mildly adhesive
patch. For lower injections, hard to use because of
poor adhesion of the
patch. Excellent for the upper
palatal area and mental injections. In fact it is
probably no better than existing topical anesthetics
except for the fact it is kept on the site area for
7-10 minutes. Conventional topicals would probably
do as well if kept there this long.
Air abrasion has limited use for much operative dentistry.
It can not be used conventional crown and bridge, or in
removing defective metallic restortions. Removing large
caries composite restorations usually require anesthetic
prior to use of either air abrasion or conventional means.
Presently major application without anesthetic is for
extremely small pits and fissures where caries is suspected.
This however can be done with a procedure call prophalytic
odontotomy using conventional dentistry and occasional
anesthetic. Its major advantage is it is vibration free and
noise free. Its major disadvantage is the high volume of 25-50
micron aluminum oxide particles which get all over the place even
with duel high volume suction. At this time researcher tell us
these particles are just a nuscence and have no medical complications.
In essence for conventional dentistry at this time probably more
gimmicky then beneficial.
I don't believe the researchers! (even if Joel M Eichen tries to convince
me that the scientists are in charge of the Ultimate Truth). I think it can
be detrimental to your health. It also remains airbound for hours (even
longer). Just imagine how the cells are working down in the smallest
pulmonar alveolis consisting of just one flat epithelial layer where the
exchange of gas is supposed to take place (and not the fagocythosis
of alien particles - of which we have enough anyway in our job).
