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(515) 412-4200
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 412-4200
Urbandale, IA 50323
Dental technology is continually advancing. This results in you spending much less time in the dental chair while being more comfortable than ever! You will also experience much faster healing and greater precision in your treatment.
We feature digital X-rays at
our practice. With this technology, a digital image is taken of your smile with a sensor and downloaded to our
computer, where it can be immediately accessed. We can also view your entire mouth in one image, including the upper and lower jaws, using
panoramic digital X-rays. These methods result in 75% less radiation than traditional X-rays. There is no waiting time for images to develop
and no more chemical waste to pollute the environment.
Dr. Skinner works closely with patients to create a bond of teamwork. One of the ways he brings this about is through the use of a high-tech tool called the intra-oral camera. This amazing device is a small video camera that displays a closeup picture of the inside of your mouth. Both you and the dentist can see what work needs to be done and which teeth are healthy. You then participate in each dental decision. You’ll love how this technology works!
The TRIOS™ digital impression system eliminates the uncomfortable challenge of tray-and-putty impressions for such things as clear aligners, crowns, or whitening trays. With the TRIOS, we take a highly precise digital impression that all but guarantees a perfect fit and a much faster dental visit!
Were you aware that
5 million teeth are knocked out yearly in the U.S. alone? Many sports can be dangerous without the proper protective gear. The
one-size-fits-all mouthguards you might see in stores just don’t fit well. Wearing these, proper breathing can be difficult while engaging in sports.
In contrast, custom-made sports mouthguards fit well and can be worn for any sport. The ADA recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following
sports: Acrobatics, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, shotputting,
skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Our Registered Dental Hygienists use the most effective instruments to get your teeth their cleanest. One such tool is called the Piezo™ scaler. This is an ultra-high frequency instrument that is very effective at removing plaque and tartar build up even in deep pockets and especially under the gum line. You will also spend less time in the chair!
We are excited to offer 3-D cone
beam CT digital imaging technology. Think of this as a three-dimensional X-ray that is much more accurate than regular
X-rays, takes a lot less time and does all this with much-reduced radiation exposure. A big advantage of using ultra cone beam images when diagnosing
patients and evaluating treatment options is the dentist’s ability to fully see the patient’s anatomy in 3-D, instead of the usual flat, two-dimensional
images. This allows for much greater accuracy with all dental treatment, especially implant placement and any oral surgeries.
Dr. Skinner offers two
options for the prevention of migraine and tension headaches. The first is called “anterior deprogramming” and is done in our office,
using an oral device to retrain the TMJ muscles that have been causing your pain.
The other is the NTI™ device. This is an FDA-approved, drug-free treatment you use at night while you sleep. It works by relaxing the muscles under
the scalp to prevent the majority of headaches. In clinical trials, 82% of migraine sufferers had headache relief, including a 77% reduction in migraine
events. It’s painless, fast, and affordable. If you endure migraines or know someone who does, then ask us about these exciting treatment options.
If you or someone you know
find yourself falling asleep during the day, or snoring loudly or having interrupted breathing at night, it might be sleep apnea.
The standard treatment for sleep apnea has been the CPAP device. The patient is fitted with a machine that pumps a continuous air stream into the patient’s
nose or mouth while sleeping. However, many people find this machine uncomfortable and they discontinue the mask.
If you have sleep apnea and have difficulty with your CPAP, modern dentistry has new treatment options such as oral appliances. These appliances are compact
acrylic devices that fit over the upper and lower teeth much like an orthodontic retainer or mouthguard. They gently realign your tongue and jaw to open the
airway and allow more air flow to the lungs. They are easy to use, easy to clean, and convenient for travel. These have been successful for over 90% of the
patients who use them and are a replacement for CPAP machines. If you snore or a physician has diagnosed you with sleep apnea, contact us today to learn more.
We take sterilization very seriously. We mostly employ single use tools. When these can’t be used, we clean and sterilize all instruments after each patient. Our procedures are continually monitored by an independent laboratory. Your safety is our first concern!
Nothing beats an easier, more comfortable dental visit. If you have questions about the latest dental technology, give us a call today at (515) 412-4200.