Illustration of dental laser and inside of tooth

Dental Technology

Conventional dental techniques are often slow, imprecise, and inconvenient, compromising results or requiring follow-up visits.

At Advanced Dentistry of Blakeney, we use modern technology in all our treatments to provide more efficient, precise, and comfortable care.

Find out more about the options we offer...

Illustration of dental laser and inside of tooth

Cutting-Edge Technology  Ensures Outstanding, Customized Results


Greater Precision

Our advanced technology allows us to plan your treatment more effectively and provide conservative, precise procedures.

Convenient and Efficient

Our modern tools are very efficient. For example, Dr. John M. Pinnix IV and Dr. George A. Betancourt can provide same-day dental restorations with the CEREC system, saving you time and money.

Earlier Diagnosis

Our state-of-the-art devices enable us to diagnose a range of conditions, such as decay, misalignment, and oral cancer, earlier than conventional methods allow.

Take a look at the CEREC system in action...

We use a wide variety of advanced tools...

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CT)

Cone beam computed tomography involves taking a three-dimensional scan of your teeth and their supporting structures so we can precisely plan your treatments and provide optimal results. Often used during dental implant treatment, this tool allows us to make sure every aspect of your smile is taken into account during the planning process.

iTero® Intraoral Scanner

The iTero scanner uses an intraoral camera to take digital impressions of your teeth. Primarily used to plan orthodontic treatment, we can send these scans directly to the Invisalign® team to plan the movement of your teeth and craft your custom aligners.

3-D Smile Visualization

With a range of scanning devices and our digital x-ray system, our team can construct highly accurate visualizations of your smile. These three-dimensional images allow Dr. Pinnix and Dr. Betancourt to assess the way different structures in your smile are related before recommending treatment. In addition, our imaging systems mean we can recommend more conservative treatment options. 

CAD/CAM System

CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Using this system, Drs. Pinnix and Betancourt can provide highly accurate dental restorations, such as a crown. The CAD/CAM imaging system will take digital impressions of your teeth. The process will be much quicker than traditional methods, which require gooey paste and uncomfortable impression trays. The resulting three-dimensional images will also be more accurate. Then your dentist can use these images to design and create restorations immediately in our office for more conservative treatment and more comfortable restorations.

Photo of a CEREC machine
Our in-office CEREC milling unit can carve your restoration for quick, convenient same-day treatment.

CEREC

Our CEREC system goes hand-in-hand with our CAD/CAM technology. After taking impressions and designing the restoration, your dentist can upload these designs to the CEREC machine. The system will then carve your restoration from a block of porcelain that has been matched to your teeth. Because we will not have to work with an offsite lab, we can often complete your entire treatment in a single day. In addition, your restoration will be more accurate and, typically, more economical, as well.

Concerned about the stability of a CEREC crown?

CEREC Crowns Offer the Same Stability as Lab-Made Restorations

Photo of a woman undergoing an oral cancer screening
Intraoral cameras allow you to better understand your oral health and make informed decisions.

Intraoral Cameras

Like x-rays, intraoral cameras can reveal small areas of decay, cracks, chips, and similar structural damage. These cameras are particularly useful in examining the molars, which are difficult to access. An intraoral camera is very small – about the size of a toothbrush, allowing for convenient and comfortable examinations. In addition, we can display the resulting images on a computer. You will have access to the same information as your dentist, so you can make your own informed decisions about your care.

DIAGNOdent Laser

We will typically use DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection at every routine exam. This small laser can uncover cavities long before they are visible to the eye. Therefore, your dentist can usually treat them with a more conservative restoration, such as a filling. In some cases, we can even reverse damage before a filling is necessary. DIAGNOdent can also prevent the discomfort and severe dental problems that often accompany cavities.

Surgical Laser

We proudly offer laser gum contouring as a simple cosmetic treatment. If you have excess gum tissue or an uneven gum line, your smile may look worn, crooked, and unhealthy. Dr. Pinnix or Dr. Betancourt can use a surgical laser to remove excess tissue. The laser offers several benefits over traditional tools. This tool is more accurate, so your dentist can achieve beautiful results that will impact less of your gums. The laser will also seal your blood vessels during the procedure, ensuring you experience minimal inflammation and virtually no bleeding. Finally, lasers make the treatment incredibly safe, since there is almost no risk of infection.

With ViziLite, we can diagnose oral cancer before it advances and when it is still relatively easy to treat.

ViziLite® Oral Cancer Screening

ViziLite uses a laser to measure fluorescence of your soft tissues, including your gums, tongue, and the lining of your cheeks. Higher levels of fluorescence may be the earliest indication of oral cancer. Often, this disease can go undiagnosed until you develop white or red patches, gum soreness, or other more serious symptoms. With ViziLite, we can diagnose oral cancer before it advances and when it is still relatively easy to treat.

Photo of a pen pointed at a dental x-ray
Digital dental x-rays provide clearer, more accurate scans.

Digital X-Rays

X-rays are fundamental for evaluating your overall oral health, which is why they are normally covered by dental insurance. With x-rays, Dr. Pinnix or Dr. Betancourt can diagnose a range of oral health concerns. These issues include decay, misalignment, impacted teeth, jawbone recession, and more.

At Advanced Dentistry of Blakeney, we proudly use digital radiography, rather than traditional film x-rays. Digital systems produce much less radiation, so they will not compromise your overall health. The images are also more accurate, so your dentist can provide more timely diagnoses.

How Do Digital X-Rays Work?

There are two primary types of digital dental x-rays. Intraoral x-rays result in very detailed images of individual teeth. Extraoral images will show your entire mouth and jaw structure. A digital x-ray system emits safe beams of energy. These rays are less invasive, but no less effective, than stronger traditional x-rays.

    Digital systems emit up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional x-ray machines.

    Soft tissues, such as skin, muscles, and ligaments, cannot absorb x-ray light. Therefore, the x-ray energy will pass through your body, striking a digital sensor on the other side. Conversely, metal does absorb x-rays. The calcium found in hard tissues is considered a metal. Therefore, your teeth and bones will not be able to absorb the light. Accordingly, they will leave a dark shadow on the x-ray image. Your dentist will examine the clearer negative, which is why your hard tissues will appear white.

    Applications for Digital Dental X-Rays

    Drs. Pinnix and Betancourt use digital x-rays to perform a wide array of functions and to diagnose underlying health issues. The uses of digital x-rays include:

    • Providing scans of your jawbone to diagnose bone recession
    • Providing images of your entire mouth to detect misalignment or damage to jaw joints
    • Showing incoming teeth to determine if you have enough room 
    • Diagnosing an impacted wisdom tooth
    • Revealing hidden decay
    • Enabling earlier diagnoses and more accurate treatment
    • Often preventing the need for more extensive treatment

    The Benefits of Digital X-Rays

    Digital and traditional x-rays work similarly. However, digital imaging has several unique advantages over older systems. These benefits include:

    • Less radiation: Digital systems emit up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional x-ray machines. 
    • Better image quality: Digital x-rays produce images that are both larger and sharper than film x-rays. We are also able to zoom in on these images. Therefore, Dr. Pinnix and Dr. Betancourt can diagnose dental problems more quickly and accurately than they could in the past.
    • Conservative: With faster diagnoses, your dentist can often perform less invasive treatments. For example, catching decay in the early stages, he can usually place a simple filling, rather than a full dental crown.
    • Efficient: Digital x-rays are faster than film x-rays. As a result, your appointments will be quicker, and you can get back to your routine as soon as possible.
    • Digital archiving: We can store and access digital x-rays more easily than we can film images. In addition, we can quickly share them with other healthcare professionals when necessary. Finally, we can show you the images so that you can make more informed choices regarding your dental treatment.
    • More environmentally friendly: Digital imaging does not require any developing agents or products and greatly reduces chemical waste.
    • Affordable: X-rays are essential for your oral health. Therefore, both standard and digital x-rays are typically covered by insurance.

    The significant benefits of digital x-rays ensure our patients can receive the best level of care during every visit.

    Dr. Pinnix and Dr. Betancourt

    Advanced Dentistry of Blakeney

    At Advanced Dentistry of Blakeney, our goal is to enhance your quality of life through dentistry. Dr. John M. Pinnix IV and Dr. George A. Betancourt are proud to be associated with a range of prestigious organizations, including:

    • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Academy of General Dentistry
    • American Society of Anesthesiologists
    • International College of Oral Implantologists
    • Spear Study Club
    • Charlotte Dental Society
    • Invisalign® Certified Provider

    For more information about our services, contact our Charlotte office online or call (704) 543-1102.

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