Dental Office Features - Austin Station Dental

April

13 2015

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening in Coquitlam

Austin Station Dental has a screening device called the VELscope which is the latest in technology for detecting oral diseases including cancer and pre-cancer.

It is safe, non-invasive and takes only a few minutes for the exam, which can be done during your regular dental checkup. The VELscope uses a harmless bright blue light that will cause healthy tissue in the mouth to fluoresce in different patterns than tissue that has disease or trauma.

Early detection for oral cancer is critical of course, with the statistics reflecting a much higher survival rate for early detections as well as less invasive treatment required at that stage.

The VELscope is approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization and is used in 23 countries around the world.

We are happy to provide this service to new and existing patients. VELscope screening is also available at London Drugs in Coquitlam at 9855 Austin Ave. and at some locations in Vancouver – as specified in The Province, which also mentions that about 500 BC residents are diagnosed each year with oral cancer.

If you’d like to book a VELscope screening with your next appointment, please contact us.

For more info, see our Services page on Oral Cancer Screening in Coquitlam.

Coquitlam Teeth whitening at the dentists office, teeth whitening coquitlam

April

07 2015

Teeth Whitening at the Dentists Office

Fast Facts: Teeth Whitening at the Dentists Office

Many people notice that teeth may darken over time and wonder how to whiten their teeth. There are several options available that vary in treatment length, treatment location and cost.

Austin Station Dental in Coquitlam, BC offers teeth whitening at the dentists office as well as take-home kits as well as the combination of in-office and take home of Pola Whitening. The dental office procedures usually provide much faster results than in-home whitening products but are, of course, more expensive. After the whitening is completed, the results can last for several months or more. Factors such as coffee and red wine consumption or smoking can hasten discoloration. At-home maintenance can be done to make the results last.

The most inexpensive teeth whitening option is Crest White Strips, which is a completely at-home treatment and can be purchased at most any pharmacy or drug store.

The next option is Pola Whitening which combines an office visit to get the impressions for the custom dental trays and then treatments at home by the patient themselves following our instructions.

We also offer in-office teeth whitening, more expensive but much faster results than the other two options. The in-office treatment costs about $500 and gives instant results.
Teeth will dull again over time and maintenance is usually recommended to be done about every 6 months. With the at home treatment, just use the trays a couple of days in a row every 4-6 months or so.

Tooth whitening products are capable of altering the color of the teeth themselves but people with crowns, root canals, cavities or very dark stains should consult with a dentist to determine if they are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Contact Austin Station Dental if you are interested in teeth whitening in Coquitlam. Book a consultation specifically for teeth whitening or bring it up at your next dental appointment. We can discuss what options would work best for you and also if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

For more quick facts on keeping your smile healthy and beautiful, see our posts on The Advantages of Flossing Everyday and Getting Your Teeth Cleaned Every 6 Months.

February

24 2014

What is a Digital Dental X-Ray?

Digital dental x-ray equipment uses a sensor that is used either inside or outside the mouth to take the x-ray. The x-ray is then available immediately on the computer screen. This new technology replaces conventional x-ray equipment that produces x-rays on film.

Why is a Dental Digital X-Ray Better?

It’s digital! The x-rays can be easily stored on the computer and shared with other health professionals. You can see how this would be an improvement over old school film images.
It’s instant! The sensor is positioned in the mouth, the x-ray taken and the x-ray instantly appears on the computer screen. From there the dental staff can proceed with diagnostics and patient education.
Remarkable image quality – through the latest technology, digital xrays provide images that are extremely clear and detailed. Much better quality than film x-rays.
Much lower radiation exposure for the client. There is lower radiation exposure to produce a digital image. Also, the precision and clarity of x-ray imaging often reduces the need for retakes, reducing exposure even further.
‘Greener’ technology in that there aren’t x-ray films being produced and chemicals being used to produce them.
No more x-ray film in your mouth. An electronic sensor is used instead of x-ray film.

In conclusion:

Digital dental x-rays provide a more comfortable experience for the patient, are much faster to use than conventional x-rays, and expose the patient to much lower amounts of radiation.

Dentists love them too for their ease of use in the office as well as ease of sharing with other health professionals.

For more on digital dental x-rays in Coquitlam, contact our office at 604-931-6111.

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada | 0 Comment | in Dental Office Features, News