​​Angela Hilton-Foley, DMD

(813) 891-1212

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Technology

Air Abrasion Technologyallows us to remove decay from shallow, early cavities, without the need for anesthesia, all while removing the minimal amount of tooth structure necessary to fix the tooth.  Rather than waiting until decay takes over the tooth, which requires much more tooth structure to be removed, we practice minimally invasive dentistry.  This means that cavities are caught in their early stages.  The more healthy tooth structure that remains the better.  Air abrasion is a finely powdered pressure washing of the decay, that leaves the tooth clean and free from decay. The  tooth is filled with a tooth colored filling and bonded into place, keeping the anatomy natural. Air abrasion cannot correct cavities between the teeth, only smooth surface decay or cavities on the biting surface (occlusal) of your teeth. It is an excellent alternative where indicated. 

                                                         

IntraOral Cameras

Our intraoral cameras allow our patients to take a tour of their own mouth.  We can enlarge the photos of your teeth on our television monitors.  Basically this means our patients can see the detail that Dr. Hilton-Foley sees.  Because they are magnified we can often visualize minor fracture lines, rough or leaking fillings, and even new decay that quite possibly would have been missed with the unaided eye. We like to send our patients home with their photos to look at when home or share with family members.

Track Television Monitors  are located in each room, and they can adjust so that you can view TV while you are lying down in the chair.  You have the choice of either watching TV, viewing a movie of your choice, or listening to music with headphones.  We have gentle massage built into every chair to help you relax.  We also offer pillows, blankets, hot scented towels, and lip balm for your comfort. We love to spoil our patients. Let us know how we can make your visit more comfortable.

Digital X-Rays by Dexis
 
The use of digital xrays instead of traditional xrays reduce the amount of radiation that patients receive.  The reduction is over 90% than regular film xrays.  Not only that, we are able to see the films on the computer screen, enlarged.  Our dental team at Designing Smiles can change the contrast, magnify the xrays, and even change the resolution of the picture to better view the xray.  It is also very environmentally friendly.  We no longer produce and use all the chemicals normally used to develop and fix films. If we need to send xrays to a specialist or another dentist, we can simply email them through a secured email system.

Electric Handpieces  are the most incredibly quiet handpieces available to dentists.  Dr. Angela Hilton-Foley uses KAVO Gentlesilence Lux.  They feel much smoother to the patient, and they protect the hearing of the patient and dental staff due to the low sound that is emitted. The difference is amazing.

Diagnodent Laser Cavity Detector

The Diagnodent Laser allows the dentist to determine in a measurable way, how much decay is present in a tooth.  We can find cavities that are much smaller, and take care of them BEFORE they damage your teeth and spread out over the dentin.   In other words, the smaller the cavity the less tooth structure that needs to be removed in order to fix the problemed area. The laser detects the fluorescence that decay and bacteria release, and sends a signal back to the device with a measurement.  The laser will make a loud sound to signal the dentist and to the patient when decay is detected.

What do the numbers on the display mean?
 
      0-10 Healthy Tooth Structure
      11-20 Outer Half Enamel Caries
      21-30 Inner Half Enamel Caries
      30+ Dentin Caries

Any reading above a 30 needs to  be cleaned and restored with a filling.

Soft Tissue Laser
The soft tissue diode laser is commonly used for restorative procedures, veneers or crown & bridge, to recontour the gum tissue, and to treat periodontal disease. Often it is used instead of a retraction cord during crown preparations, to clearly delineate the margins for the laboratory. Lasers eliminate pain, facilitate quick healing, kill bacteria and viruses, and reduce healing time.  The soft tissue diode laser can be used to shape the gums, remove excess gum tissue, expose a tooth that needs to be brought into place, such as during orthodontic treatment, for periodontal health and healing, and to expose decay that has crept under the gum.  Even excess tissue around wisdom teeth can be gently removed if it becomes swollen or infected, before the teeth fully erupt into place.