A visit to the dentist’s office can be a bit intimidating, especially when you settle into the exam chair surrounded by what looks like a medieval torture chambers assortment of equipment. A lot of the scary bit of that experience is simply due to a lack of familiarity with these devices and what they’re for, which means a little education on the subject is just the thing to help ease your fears! If you’re one of those who gets nervous about a visit to the dentist or are among the few who suffers from legitimate Dental Fear (a recognized phobia) then this article may help ease your fears a little.
What Will I See At The Dentist’s Office?
Much of the equipment that you see is designed to aid the dentist in the exam that gets performed during a regularly scheduled check-up. Rather than being afraid of these devices allow yourself to be curious and ask your dentist what they’re all for! We’ll give you a bit of an introduction here.
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Intraoral Camera – During an exam, a dentist often needs to be able to take a peek inside your mouth to see what’s going on in there. While old methods like hand-held mirrors and lights certainly worked, there’s nothing like modern video technology to get the clearest look possible. That’s where the intraoral camera comes in.
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Isolite – If you’re like most patients you have to be regularly reminded during your visit to open your mouth a little wider so the dentist can get in there. The Isolite is designed to make holding your mouth open comfortable during the check-up, and it can also be used in cases where you’re sedated and unable to hold your life open. It’s combined with a light source to make it even easier for the dentist to see.
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DIAGNOdent – Cavities come in all sizes, and some of them are small enough that they can manage to hide from the dentist. DIAGNOdent is a device that makes it impossible for this little pockets of decay to hide, meaning that the dentist can get in there and stop it before it really gets started!
The dentist’s office is the home of many different tools and pieces of equipment used in maintaining the oral health of their patients. Every year new innovations are made to help your visit be more comfortable, more effective, and more efficient, so never be afraid to ask if you see something you don’t recognize. More likely than not your dentist will be excited to explain their newest tool to you.
If you haven’t been to see the dentist for a while or are due for a regular check-up, pick up the phone and give Dr. Ross Quartano a call at Magnolia Dental in Covington, LA. Their team of expert dental professionals has been helping families like yours have anxiety free visits for years, and would be happy to make your family part of their dental practice today!
