At Balgownie Dental Surgery we implement state-of-the-art technology as part of our commitment to deliver the latest in professional dental care across a comprehensive range of services.
Our Chairs
Our Adec dental chairs offer superior comfort, precise positioning and optimal access. They also have built- in technology to enable the latest in oral care and endodontic procedures.
Digital Imaging (Radiographs)
At Balgownie Dental, all of our radiographs (X-rays) are low radiation, digital and instant.
The high-resolution images are accurate and processed immediately, maximising patient comfort and diagnosis.
Digital imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool that allows us to see between and inside your teeth, including the roots and surrounding bone. Our practitioners use this information to detect, monitor, evaluate and perform many aspects of preventative and restorative dentistry.
To learn more about our radiographs and imaging, please click here
Intra-Oral Cameras
All our surgeries contain intra-oral cameras.
An intra-oral camera is a small digital camera, shaped like an oversized pen, which is used to display video footage and take photos from inside your mouth. Patients can instantly view images on the screen in real-time from the dental chair.
These images allow our practitioners to explain to you and show you exactly what is going on inside your mouth. It allows our patients to have a greater understanding of their dental condition and a reason for any procedures, become more involved in the treatment process, and examine before and after results.
In addition, the camera function creates photographic records, so your treatment progress can be accurately tracked over time. We are also happy to print these before and after photos for you to take as a record of your treatment.
Laser Technology/Laser Dentistry
Laser technology is used for a range of soft tissue procedures within restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery.
Laser technology is a sophisticated and versatile treatment that works by emitting a thin, concentrated beam of light energy. The light produces a reaction when it hits soft tissue, allowing it to be adjusted or removed.
Laser dentistry can provide a more comfortable experience for patients compared to some traditional treatment methods.
Laser instruments also provide the dentist with increased precision during treatment and allow exact control over power output and exposure times.
Common Soft Tissue Procedures
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Treating a “gummy smile.” Lasers are used to reshape gum tissue associated with “gummy smile,” in which the gums’ length covers much of the tooth.
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Crown lengthening. This procedure reshapes both gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, which helps with placing restorations on the teeth.
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Treating tongue frenulum attachment. Those with a thick or tight frenulum (the fold of skin under the front part of tongue that anchors to the mouth floor) may benefit from a laser frenectomy. This treatment helps children whose restricted frenulum causes them to be tongue-tied, have difficulty breastfeeding, or have a speech impediment.
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Removing soft tissue folds. Lasers can remove soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without pain or sutures.
Benefits of laser treatment
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There is potentially a decreased need for sutures with soft tissue lasers.
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Bleeding is minimized in treated soft tissues, as the laser promotes blood clotting.
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With some procedures, anesthesia is unnecessary.
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The chance for bacterial infections is lower because the laser sterilizes the area.
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Wounds can heal faster, and it’s possible for tissue to regenerate.
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The procedures may involve less damage to the surrounding tissues.
EMS Airflow Prophylaxis Master
The EMS AIRFLOW® is the latest Swiss-made unit and a Guided Biofilm Therapy treatment can benefit your smile!
The advanced EMS Airflow® system utilises Guided Biofilm Therapy, which is a more effective and more comfortable way to remove dental plaque (dental biofilm) from the teeth.
Guided Biofilm Therapy involves applying a harmless dye to the teeth to physically stain the bacteria, which will then be effectively removed with the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master.
The AIRFLOW® handpiece is a revolutionary, non-contact product that was developed in Switzerland. It projects a controlled stream of air, warm water (heated to 40 degrees Celsius), and very fine sweet powder onto both the teeth surface and hard-to-reach areas (including between the teeth and under the gum margins). It will dislodge and remove food particles, plaque, discolouration and stains.
The high-pressure stream of water and air cleans teeth faster, more efficiently and more comfortably.
The AIRFLOW® Guided Biofilm Therapy is ideal for patients who may dislike the feeling of having their teeth cleaned, who have sensitive teeth, or who have dental anxiety.
For more information on our AIRFLOW® product and Guided Biofilm Therapy, please click here.
Sterilisation and Infection Control
Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing for all our patients and team members is our highest priority.
For your assurance and peace of mind, we diligently follow the strict protocols outlined in the Australian Dental Association Guidelines for Infection Control. Companion and referenced guidelines also include the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, as well as Australian and New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 4815 and AS/NZS 4187.
The standard of our infection prevention, control and risk management procedures is also continually assessed ensuring we comply with the highest nationally recognised medical standards.
The sterilisation of our equipment and instruments through our autoclave system is an important component of our procedures. An autoclave is a pressure chamber used to thoroughly sterilise equipment through exposure to high temperature steam. This ensures the eradication of any potential disease-producing micro-organisms or contaminated material after invasive procedures. First thing every morning a series of testing cycles are performed on each of our two autoclaves, guaranteeing effectiveness and efficiency.
After each appointment, all instruments, procedure trays and surgical instruments are thoroughly cleaned and individually ‘bagged’ in sterilisation pouches or wrapped with a unique barcode before being put into the autoclave sterilisers. This code is also scanned into the patient’s digital record. An indicator with a special marker is put into the autoclave with the pouches and it must change to a certain colour after the completed cycle to confirm that sterilisation has been adequately achieved. Once the cycle is complete, we also record verification information including the unique cycle number, temperature, pressure and time throughout the cycle. All of this information can be located from within the patient’s file.