Vizilite
Our practice continually looks for advances to ensure that we are providing the optimum level of oral health care to our patients. We are concerned about oral cancer and look for it in every patient.
About Oral Cancer
Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%
Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.
THE DEADLY STATISTICS
- Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.
- The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
- The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.
- More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
- 27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.
We recently incorporated ViziLite Plus into our oral screening standard of care. We find that using ViziLite Plus along with a standard oral cancer examination improves the ability to identify suspicious areas at their earliest stages. ViziLite Plus is similar to proven early detection procedures for other cancers such as mammography, Pap smear, and PSA. ViziLite Plus is a simple and painless examination that gives the best chance to find any oral abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. The ViziLite Plus exam will be offered to you annually.
This enhanced examination is recognized by the American Dental Association code revision committee as CDT-5 procedure code D0431; however, this exam might not be covered by your insurance. The fee for this enhanced examination is $59.00.
ViziLite Plus as part of a comprehensive oral screening
Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer.
For more information about ViziLite Plus and the ViziLite Plus examination, click here to view an informative ViziLite Plus video segment.
The ViziLite Plus exam can help your dentist or hygienist identify abnormal tissue, that might develop into oral cancer.
An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life.
ViziLite Plus is performed immediately following a regular visual examination
- First, you will be instructed to rinse with a cleansing solution
- Next, the overhead lighting will be dimmed.
- Then, your dental professional will examine your mouth using ViziLite Plus, a specially designed light technology.
DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity
Detector
Early cavity detection is essential to vital oral health. That
is why we use the KaVo Diagnodent Laser Cavity detector at
The Center for Advanced Dentistry. DIAGNOdent helps with early
detection of cavities.
Even very small lesions are found at the earliest stage, enabling
us to protect and preserve your tooth structure.
Altered tooth substances and bacteria fluoresce when they are
exposed to a specific wavelength of light.
The DIAGNOdent operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this
specific wavelength, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits
little or no fluorescence,
resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However,
carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate
to the degree
of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display
of the DIAGNOdent.
With today's widespread use of fluoride, the presentation of occlusal
pit and fissure caries has changed. Caries may often begin in the walls
of the fissure or in the dentine without any decalcification of the
enamel. This type of lesion is extremely difficult to diagnose with
an explorer. Additionally, with bitewings this type of caries cannot
be detected.
However, the DIAGNOdent is a reliable tool to diagnose this type of
lesion with over a 90% accuracy rate.
Combining technological instrumentation with other diagnostic
procedures such as a comprehensive examination and digital radiography
allows us to provide the earliest intervention possible to promote
your optimal dental health.
CEREC
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration in Esthetic Ceramics) is a high-quality
system that allows us to restore damaged teeth in a single visit. We use ceramic
and metal-free material to replace crown damage, which allows us to match it to
your own teeth. The material is also anti-abrasive and plaque resistant, ensuring
a quality, long-lasting alternative to traditional dental molds and repeat visits
for crown treatments
Technology today is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting-edge
innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair,
causing less discomfort and creating satisfying results. One break-through instrument,
called CEREC 3-D, allows Dr. Hornstein to quickly restore damaged teeth with
natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving our patients time, money, and inconvenience.
 CEREC 3D uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology,
incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. After removing
the decay from the tooth, Dr Hornstein uses a special camera to take an accurate
picture of that tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a
color computer screen, where Dr. Hornstein uses CAD technology to design the restoration.
Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits.
Finally, he bonds the new restoration to the surface of the prepared tooth. The whole
process takes about one hour.
 A tooth colored restoration means no more silver-colored fillings. The restoration
is natural-looking, compatible with the tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive and plaque
resistant. Dr. Hornstein no longer needs to create temporaries or take impressions and
send them to the dental laboratory. Because of this, the second visit has been eliminated.
The CEREC system is an exciting addition to our office and we look forward to showing
you how it can provide beautiful, strong results without requiring several visits!
Myomonitor TENS Unit
Many individuals do not realize that muscles play an important
role in dentistry. Muscles affect your occlusion, or the
way your teeth fit together. When your teeth do not fit together properly,
the muscles have to accommodate. This results in tired and
stressed
muscles that often cause pain and strain of the muscles of
your face, jaw and neck. Relaxing these muscles allows your
jaw to
be placed
in its most natural position. We accomplish this by using
the Myomonitor TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) to
relax
the muscles
of your face and jaw. Because the muscles controlling the
jaw are subconsciously “programmed” by the brain, most individuals
have difficulty consciously reaching a truly relaxed state. To help
your muscles reach that relaxed state, a device called the Myomonitor
is used to deliver gentle electrical stimulation to your muscles.
The Myomonitor is a battery operated electrical muscle stimulator.
Mild electrical stimulation is delivered through adhesive patch electrodes
attached over nerves that control specific facial muscle groups.
The virtually painless stimulus delivered by the Myomonitor will
cause your facial and jaw muscles to twitch or pulse once every one
and one half seconds. After about 40-60 minutes, this electrically
induced “exercise” will allow your muscles to overcome
their programming and go to a relaxed state. Once your muscles are
relaxed, Dr. Hornstein will confirm and record the relaxed position
of your jaw by placing a fast setting putty-like material between
your teeth. This “bite” will be used to fabricate a plastic
orthotic device that keeps the jaw in a relaxed state. This is just
one of the many options in Neuromuscular Dentistry.
K-7 Evaluation System
Here at the Center For Advanced Dentistry, we gather as much information as
possible to help in our treatment recommendations. The K-7 evaluation system
is one of the many tools we use to help us determine the best course of treatment
for our patients with temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) signs and symptoms.
It is a computer program that measures and records mandibular (jaw) function and
masticatory (chewing) muscle status. This adds invaluable objective information
about TM joint status and aids in the diagnostic process. The K-7 is used in
our office in the following ways:
- The K-7 is used in the initial assessment for temporal mandibular joint (TMJ)
function. This neuromuscular (NM) assessment requires an hour of time. A thorough
evaluation and trigger point assessment of the masticatory (chewing) muscles,
cervical (neck) and shoulder muscles is completed along with range of motion measurements
of your neck and jaw joints and includes a postural evaluation.
- Joint sonography (recording the frequency of the sounds of the jaw joint) is also
performed with the K-7 system in the initial NM assessment. This allows Dr. Hornstein
to fully evaluate the progression of the dysfunction of the TMJ and make the appropriate
treatment recommendations.
- The K-7 is also used to determine the most comfortable position for the mandible,
(This feature is used when creating the impression for the fabrication of the orthotic).
This is accomplished by using the EMG’s (electromyograms) to determine the most relaxed
position for the masticatory and cervical muscles. The position of the mandible is
tracked using a magnet (placed on the lower teeth) and a special tracking device worn
on the head. (See photo). Once this position is established, the impression is
taken for the fabrication of the orthotic.
The information obtained from the K-7 evaluation system is critical to effective neuromuscular dentistry.
Digital Radiography
The latest innovation we have in reducing your risks and at the
same time improving the quality of your care is digital radiography.
This technology uses 90% less radiation than conventional
dental x-rays. The x-ray images are displayed on the computer screen
immediately for viewing. These pictures are enhanced and magnified
up to five
times to enable Dr. Hornstein to discover even the smallest
problem. We can manipulate the images with contrast and brightness.
We can
measure the different areas of the tooth to determine the
size
of caries and the tissue surrounding the tooth. Each image
can be color enhanced to show tissue density that allows us to determine
the health
of the bone surrounding the teeth. By using this technology,
we can explain more clearly the need for recommended treatment.
We
can print
these images in a variety of sizes and provide clear images
to any other dental specialist you may need. If you have ever
objected to
having x-rays taken because of the fear of radiation exposure,
you can now be assured of the safety of this procedure. You
receive more
radiation traveling across the country in an airplane that
you do from 40 conventional dental x-rays. X-ray images are
a primary tool
used to diagnose any dental lesions and problems with your
teeth. We strive to provide the safest and most advanced methods
to assure
your dental health.
Digital imaging
We use the most advanced digital photography to assist us in
visually portraying your dental situation. We use intra-oral
cameras to allow you to see your teeth as we see them. By magnifying
this
view and projecting it to a TV screen, we can show our patients
what areas of their mouth may need attention. We then capture
these video
images and print photos of the teeth. We can send these to
the insurance companies to justify treatment for our patients
and it gives us another
tool to help provide the best options to our patients.
We use digital still-images to also visually demonstrate
the need for services and to record the different stages
of treatment procedures.
We can dramatically demonstrate the changes that occur in a
person’s
appearance by using before and after images of dental procedures. Dr.
Hornstein is also an accomplished photographer. The majority of the
photos on this website are taken in the studio and operatories of our
office. We work closely with the professionals at Kodak to assure only
the highest quality of digital imaging. (www.kodak.com/go/dental)
Sordex Digital X-ray Machine
 The Sordex Cranex Tome machine provides the latest technology in diagnostic
assistance for pathology of the face, head and neck. This equipment is so
sophisticated that it can provide several different kinds of images of the teeth,
jaw, head, and neck.
A panorex x-ray shows a full scan of the bones and more solid structures of
the head and jaw. It reveals structural relationships (such as unerupted wisdom
teeth), the presence of pathology (such as tumors), bone density, implant placement,
and other diagnostic advantages. A panoramic film is usually recommended every
3-5 years. Below is an example of a panorex:
Tomograms are used to show structural positioning of the mandible (lower jaw).
It reveals the spacial relationship of the lower jaw to the maxilla (upper jaw).
These demonstrate the position of the mandible upon opening, closing and at rest.
TMJ pathology can be diagnosed using these images.
A cephlogram is a side or lateral view of the head and cervical spine. It reveals
not only structural issues, but also shows soft tissue pathology. It provides a closer
view of the temporomandibular joint and cervical vertebrae, especially the relationship
of the first vertebrae (atlas) to the occiput (lower back) of the skull.
As with all our x-rays, these images are digitally processed. They are available for immediate viewing by our doctor.
Our digital radiography is just one of the ways we stay on the cutting edge of dental technology.
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