By utilizing the most advanced technology available, Dr. Randall LaFrom ensures that each patient achieves optimal results. Some of the state of the art technology we have implemented in our Cupertino Cosmetic dental office includes:  digital x-rays, intra-oral digital photography and soft tissue lasers.

Digital X-Rays

Digital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays.  This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer.  This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier.  Using digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. In addition, it makes it easy for us to share photos with specialists and coordinate your treatment easier.

Intra-Oral Camera

The intra-oral camera broadcasts images for both the patient and doctor to see. Instantaneously the images of your teeth are sent to a computer screen so that both the patient and doctor can review your oral health together.  This wonderful new technology allows you to relax in your chair while simultaneously observing a real-time movie of the inside of your mouth magnified beyond normal size on an adjacent computer monitor. Not only does this make it simple to see and understand what is happening in your mouth, but it makes it simple for us to keep incredibly accurate records from one visit to the next.

Air Abrasion for Cavity Removal

The micro air-abrasion technique for cavity removal. The air abrasion unit allows us to take care of cavities using less drilling and often less anesthetic. Using a small spray of aluminum oxide particles we can safely and gently remove decay and clean off stains or clean out grooves in teeth without even needing a drill or shots. It often lessens the unecessary drilling away of tooth structure when  simple spray will help leave a clean, strong surface for bonding a restoration to. Because this instrument has less heat build-up, friction or stress on the tooth than the drill, it makes it less likely that a patient might need a root canal or larger restoration. While it will not completely replace the drill, it is a wonderful tool for drilling out old composite (white) fillings, which it does more conservatively than the drill, and possibly faster. The tiny sand blaster tip shoots out a precise flow of aluminum oxide particles (which are safely suctioned up during the procedure) allowing us to pinpoint a stain, or small area of decay and treat it conservatively.  Many patients have mentioned that it is significantly more comfortable as well as less annoying than listening to the drill.  

Hard and Soft Tissue Lasers

Our office has utilized the latest in dental laser technology to perform a wide range of dental procedures since 1989. We use both the Waterlase laser as well as a Diode laser at our office.  Many procedures can be accomplished more conservatively and more comfortably using the laser. This helps reducing patient anxiety and providing a more relaxing dental experience.

Using Laser Dentistry for gum procedures reduces bleeding, post-operative pain, swelling and the need for pain medication in many cases. The energy from this laser light kills the bacteria that can  cause gum disease and selectively removes just the diseased tissue, leaving behind the healthy gum tissue. Then an ultrasonic cleaning instrument is used to remove the tartar from the root and tooth surfaces, washing away the debris with a steady flow of medicated solution. Finally, the laser can be again passed around the gum tissue to form a natural bandage around the necks of the teeth sealing them from reinfection.

CEREC Machine for "SAME-DAY" crowns and onlays

The CEREC is one of the most advanced new technologies to come in the dental field in the past 20 years. Using CAD/CAM technology, we are able to take an initial picture of a tooth, remove decay, prepare it for a restoration and take another picture to create a new porcelain restoration to replace the missing tooth structure. This allows us to provide conservative natural-looking restorations that mimic natural esthetics, strength, and durabilty. Dr. LaFrom began using the technology back in 2005 and created well over 1,200 in-office restorations.  More information about the CEREC technology can be found on our separate page on CEREC.

DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detector

This technology painlessly and quickly detects and rates areas of decay that may otherwise be mistaken as stains. Dr. LaFrom practices conservative progressive micro-dentistry - meaning we believe in filling areas of decay (cavities) while they are small. This saves more tooth structure for the patient and can prevent such problems such as root canals, etc. In addition, it identifies areas of potential decay to allow us to closely monitor and show patients areas that they can focus on to eliminate the need to treat in the future.

Contact our Cupertino, California Cosmetic dental office today to schedule your appointment today!