An intra-oral camera is a diagnostic and teaching tool that enables the doctors at Harbor North Dental to provide the highest quality treatment for you.

The toothbrush-sized intra-oral camera takes pictures of the structures of your mouth and then transfers these pictures on to a chairside computer display. The snapshots taken allow you to view the areas within your mouth that may be problems so you are able to see and understand why treatment may be necessary.

Digital x-rays not only expose our patients and staff to 90% less radiation than typical x-rays, they are also more sensitive than traditional dental x-rays. Digital x-rays allow us to clearly see the entire tooth and root structure as well as the surrounding bone and tissue. They give us the opportunity to detect and diagnose issues before they are visible to the naked eye, and before they can cause significant damage and pain.

To obtain an x-ray, a small sensor connected to a computer is placed in the mouth. A beam is then sent through your teeth to the sensor that records the images immediately. The doctors and staff can pull up the digital x-rays on a computer screen to review the results and recommended treatment to you.

The soft tissue laser allows us to provide intricate, precise treatment without damaging healthy tissue. Because soft tissue lasers eliminate the need for incisions or stitches, treatment can commonly be carried out without causing pain. An added benefit of the laser is that it drastically reduces infections by disinfecting the location as it is removing tissue. Additionally, recovery time is reduced in comparison with treatments completed with a scalpel.

The following videos provide examples of treatments available using a dental laser.

Traditionally, the only method to eliminate tartar from above and below the gums was by scraping it off using a hand tool. The Cavitron Ultrasonic Cleaner is a safe, reliable, and pain-free alternative to conventional cleaning approaches. Aided by the Cavitron Ultrasonic Cleaner, which vibrates at the speed of sound, our hygienists are able to eliminate tartar gently and comfortably.

If you’ve had dental x-rays, you know how beneficial they can be in finding cavities. But what about oral problems not pertaining to your teeth? The doctors at Harbor North Dental have the technology to see other areas of your mouth with the use of our panoramic x-ray machine. Much like a panoramic picture, the Panorex x-ray provides a full view of the scenery – in this case, your entire oral cavity.

The Panorex x-ray allows our doctors to view areas of your jaw that can’t be seen with traditional dental x-rays. With a Panorex x-ray the doctors can view:

• Your entire upper and lower jawbone
• Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or jaw joints
• The nasal sinuses and their surrounding bone
• The mandibular nerve, which provides sensation to the teeth and gums of the lower jaw

The Panorex x-ray is often used in the following areas of dental care:

• Early Detection of Oral Cancer
• Jaw Bone Problems
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The Cone Beam CT Scanner captures 3D images of the oral anatomy of patients that Harbor North Dental can then utilize when determining treatment options, especially those involving dental implants procedures or requiring oral surgery.

The CT scanner provides cross-sectional images of any anatomical feature in the upper or lower jaws. This feature provides us with exact anatomical structural information, which includes structural layouts and locations. This revolutionary technology ensures that Dr. Wolf has the most detailed information that can be obtained regarding his patients dental and surgical needs.

The Cone Beam CT Scanner also captures three-dimensional images which assist Harbor North Dental in deciding whether or not bone grafting or sinus lifts are warranted in areas where there is not enough bone mass to support dental implants.

The Cone Beam CT Scanner is also useful in determining the precise positions of existing teeth so we can plan for the dental implants placement in the alveolar bone, their interaction with adjacent teeth, and their distance from vital structures such as the nerve canal, sinus walls, and cortical borders.

Not so long ago, endodontic treatment was carried out with hand filers and reamers. By way of modern day engineering advancements, conducting a root canal with the aid of a rotary file system is simpler and much more pleasant for the individual. The use of the rotary file system gives Dr. Wolf considerably more control letting him perform highly precise treatment. For the patient this means a root canal that requires a fraction of the time, is more pleasant plus more accurate.